Graystripe's Vow/Chapter 21

"What if the young ThunderClan warriors were right? Whst if the message is that I'm an old fool who needs to accept that StarClan is gone?"

— Graystripe's thoughts after the Moonstone was shattered in Graystripe's Vow, page 278

Graystripe's Vow
Chapter number:	21 (of 31)
Page numbers:	277-293
Point of View:	Graystripe
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-one of Graystripe's Vow. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 21 (of 31)

Page Numbers: 277-293

Chapter description

Graystripe recovers from the lighting strike that destroyed the Moonstone. He grows worried that he has become deaf or blind, until the rumbling had stopped. After viewing what was once the Moonstone, he wonders if he made StarClan upset, or if it was all a coincidence. After he leaves the entrance, he asks himself if Firestar sent that warning for him. He doubts that the disaster was a sign from StarClan and falls into the belief that they had abandoned them after all. He returns to the group of cats who were waiting for him, and tries to describe the events he experienced. Graystripe tells Fang that he will help him, but feels lost in how he would be able to help her Clan. Monkeystar offers an idea to visit Barley's farm and Graystripe requests they head toward him immediately. The WarriorClan cats look surprised and lead the way.

As the group travels, Fang asks Graystripe if he might be his father. Graystripe is taken aback by his question, and tells him that he is not. He gives his best wishes to the tom, and he thanks him for being honest. The band of cats grow closer to the familiar barn and Graystripe recogonizes his old friend's scent. After squeezing past a hole in the fence, Graystripe sees Barley resting peacefully in a corner. Monkeystar begs him to go wake the old cat, and he gladly does so. The ThunderClan warrior reminds the tom of his name, and Barley wakes up confused. He doubts that it is actually his old friend until he gets a better look. Clawwhistle tells Graystripe that they visit Barley to keep him company and to protect him. Graystripe and Barley connect over the young cats enthusiasm, and he introduces Fang. The gray elder takes a deeper look at Barley and realizes just how old he is getting. Barley admits that he is growing older and needs extra help, but can manage just fine on his own.

A Twoleg enters the barn and gives Barley water and some Twoleg medicine for his ear. Barley mentions how it helps his ears from hurting too much. Graystripe asks the tom if they can hunt, and Barley agrees. He informs them that they seem a little faster than they used to, and Graystripe finds his comment amusing. Graystripe takes this as an opportunity to train the WarriorClan cats to hunt. He instructs Monkeystar and Clawwhistle on proper techniques and ettiquette, and the two finally catch a mouse for the old barn cat. Graystripe hesitates about teaching them to thank StarClan after catching prey. He decides not to, and falls into the belief that maybe StarClan abandoned the Clans.

Monkeystar and Clawwhistle deliver the mouse to Barley, and Graystripe watches as Fang hunts inside the barn with ease. After catching a mouse of his own, the group sits together to eat their meal. Graystripe recalls his younger years as a warrior living in the forest with Barley. The old tom remembers their late friend, Ravenpaw, and informs Graystripe that he misses him. Barley asks why he has traveled back to the forest without his Clanmates, assuming they might return to the long destroyed forest. Graystripe recalls his struggle with StarClan, and the events of the Moonstone. Barley tries to understand the gray elder's struggle, but suggests he sleep on the problem instead. Graystripe agrees with his advice, and calls for the rest of his group to sleep as well. Before they all fall asleep, Fang asks Barley if he knew Gremlin. Barley recalls his old friend's struggles with BloodClan, and praises her moral. Graystripe feels motivated to help the gray tom after listening to their exchange. He tries to fall asleep, but struggles to clear his head.

Characters

Major

• Graystripe

Minor

• Fang
• Monkeystar
• Clawwhistle
• Barley

Mentioned

• Firestar
• Stoneteller
• Gremlin
• Flipclaw
• Tigerstar
• Ravenpaw