Eclipse/Chapter 14

"All four Clans were fighting, and StarClan had told [Jaypaw] nothing."

— Jaypaw's thoughts in Eclipse, page 214

Eclipse
Chapter number:	14 (of 25)
Page numbers:	200-214
Point of View:	Jaypaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter fourteen of Eclipse. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 14 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 200-214

Chapter description

As the battle rages on, Ferncloud complains about not being able to help, and although Jaypaw reminds her that the camp needs her, she remarks that waiting isn't better than fighting. He tells her to hear the noises, which are coming from Firestar's den, where Longtail and Mousefur are taking refuge with Millie, Daisy, and her kits. The kits continue to squeak, and Toadkit longs to join the fight, but Mousefur chastises him for such a thought and says that he should be useful instead. Millie hisses that they'll protect their kits, but she is uncertain, and Jaypaw glances at Graystripe, Whitewing, and Icepaw, who are guarding the entrance to the camp. Icepaw hones in on her battle skills while Brightheart paces in the hollow, surveying for any signs of WindClan with her strong senses, and Cinderpaw does the same. Jaypaw asks the apprentice if her leg is alright, to which she replies that it's stronger thanks to her swimming. He thinks about stopping her from climbing up Highledge, but Leafpool's recollection of the badger attack enters his mind, and he wonders if Cinderpaw is thinking about Cinderpelt's sacrifice in that battle.

Cinderpaw makes it up Highledge without a problem, and Leafpool prepares herbs and ointments in her den. Jaypaw reassures Ferncloud that Onestar can't take ThunderClan, but the queen remains skeptical, questioning what StarClan had to say regarding the battle. The blind tom reveals that StarClan said nothing, and he ponders if they were surprised by this ambush. Leafpool worriedly asks how Cinderpaw made it up to Highledge, and Jaypaw says that she wanted to rest there, wondering why his mentor is still concerned for Cinderpaw. The latter mews that she doesn't need help climbing down, and he adds that she's intelligent enough to know what she can and can't manage; she is going to be a warrior and nothing will stop that. Sighing, Leafpool inquires about the events in the forest, and Jaypaw casts his hearing out, reporting that all three patrols are under attack by WindClan. His mind fills with cats engaging in a bloody fight, and he begs to head out, pointing out that their Clanmates are injured, and he can return them here for treatment. Leafpool argues that it's dark, but Jaypaw explains how he has an advantage, and how he won't be hurt. He notes that there has never been a battle like this, and while he tries to read Leafpool's mind, it is covered in fog.

Jaypaw tells Leafpool that he must go, and informs Graystripe and Whitewing, who let him past the thorn tunnel. As he makes his way into the forest, he wonders if Fallen Leaves or his ancestors are with him, and finds that the closest battle is near the lake. The blind tom follows the scent of the water, discovering Sorreltail and Honeyfern in a fight with RiverClan, and he sneaks forward carefully. Honeyfern then attacks one of the RiverClan cats, and one of them pads past Jaypaw, causing him to sink his claws into the cat's pelt. The ThunderClan cats turn the tide on RiverClan and begin to drive them out, but suddenly, Sorreltail injures her paw. Upon examination, Jaypaw concludes that it is sprained and states that she must return to camp, but Sorreltail protests, explaining that RiverClan ambushed them and questioning why they are being driven out of their home. He inquires about Honeyfern, and she informs him that she's scratched, but will return to the patrol after she is finished chasing RiverClan away. Sorreltail tries to set her paw down, but she gasps in pain, and Jaypaw helps her back to camp. Once they return, Graystripe assists as well, and Leafpool instructs him to lay her in front of a batch of comfrey. Graystripe asks what it's like out there, and Jaypaw reveals that RiverClan is fighting alongside WindClan. The warrior orders him to tell Firestar, and Jaypaw rushes out, hearing the leader's patrol still fighting WindClan.

While Jaypaw ventures through the forest, he hears voices and freezes, finding RiverClan cats complaining about the terrain. He picks up the sound of Reedwhisker and Mosspelt arguing, and keeping himself hidden with fox stench, he makes his way towards the WindClan border, catching Lionpaw's scent. Lionpaw battles two WindClan warriors, and he defeats them, hollering at them to run off. He then greets Jaypaw, full of exhilaration from fighting, and he is informed of RiverClan being on its way to assist WindClan. His brother bounds away to handle them, and hearing the blind tom, Firestar asks why he is here. Upon learning that RiverClan has joined the battle, he orders Jaypaw to tell Brambleclaw, saying that they are outnumbered and need to retreat to the hollow. The apprentice realizes that the battle has become life or death, and regaining his bearings, he sets out in the direction of Brambleclaw's patrol. Slowly, the time transitions from dusk to dawn, and Jaypaw slips on a slope, crashing onto a clump of ferns. Just ahead, cats are engaged in an intense fight, and he concludes that he's come too late. A bloodied Hollypaw then finds Jaypaw, asking why he came here, to which he replies that RiverClan is assisting WindClan.

Suddenly, Hollypaw pushes her brother out of the way, and battles a RiverClan tom despite her exhaustion. Jaypaw catches the scent of ShadowClan, who have come to help in the fight, and he fears that they are trying to drive ThunderClan out as well, knowing there is no more he can do. He confronts Tawnypelt, and she explains that ShadowClan is helping ThunderClan. She adds that he needs to go back to the hollow, reassuring him that Hollypaw will be alright with Snaketail and Scorchpaw. Two ShadowClan warriors now fight alongside Hollypaw, and the three send the RiverClan attacker away in pain. Tawnypelt urges Jaypaw to go, but he stays, reporting that the other ThunderClan patrols need help, and she promises to sort everything out. She shows Jaypaw Mousewhisker, who has an injured eye and is adamant on fighting. He tells Mousewhisker that can continue fighting once his eye his treated, which he agrees to, and the two run back to camp. Jaypaw's head is full of the terrors relating to the battle, and he notes that all four Clans are fighting, with StarClan having said nothing.

Characters

Major

• Jaypaw

Minor

• Ferncloud
• Longtail
• Mousefur
• Millie
• Toadkit
• Rosekit
• Blossomkit (Unnamed)
• Briarkit (Unnamed)
• Bumblekit (Unnamed)
• Graystripe
• Whitewing
• Icepaw
• Brightheart
• Cinderpaw
• Leafpool
• Sorreltail
• Honeyfern
• Two RiverClan cats
• Ashfur
• Reedwhisker
• Mosspelt
• Two RiverClan cats
• Lionpaw
• Two WindClan warriors
• Firestar
• Hollypaw
• RiverClan tom
• Tawnypelt
• Two ShadowClan warriors
• Mousewhisker

Mentioned

• Cinderpelt
• Dustpelt
• Brambleclaw
• Fallen Leaves
• Snaketail
• Scorchpaw

Important events

• RiverClan joins the battle in support of WindClan, while ShadowClan joins on the side of ThunderClan.