Graystripe's Vow/Chapter 27

"ThunderClan will always be in your debt, I wish you and your kits the long, happy life you deserve. And if you ever need help with anything, please come back. I promise — all you have to do is ask."

— Graystripe to Gremlin in Graystripe's Vow, page 366

Graystripe's Vow
Chapter number:	27 (of 31)
Page numbers:	350-366
Point of View:	Graystripe
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 27 (of 31)

Page Numbers: 350-366

Chapter description

Ashfur calls out to keep fighting as Graystripe hesitates. The acting leader loosens his grip on Snake, letting the tom scramble to his paws. He addresses Fury, telling her that BloodClan is in no position to win the fight without condemning them. Fury tells him that she's doing her best for the safety of BloodClan by taking the territory. Her response frustrates Graystripe as he tries to understand her point as she makes it clear that the mission is worth it if she survives, even if she's alone in that.

As she speaks, he notices a gash on her side and uses this to his advantage. He offers her treatment for it, but at the cost of surrendering the fight. Fury hesitates at first, acting as though she is above the injury. But, slowly she feels the weariness of the fight begin to affect her and eventually she surrenders the fight to Graystripe as she nearly passes out on Highrock. Graystripe stops Cinderpelt from treating her, making the BloodClan leader promise to take BloodClan away in front of both Clans. With hate in her eyes, Fury makes her promise.

As the last rays of sun dip below the treetops, Graystripe heads to the medicine cat's den. There, he shares brief words with Fury who had received her treatment. Cinderpelt gives the tabby the good to go but tells her that if the injury flares up, to come and see her again. Fury grunts and goes to leave, but tosses a thank you over her shoulder as she does. Graystripe follows her out but stops her to remind her of the promise. Fury states that she does and that she won't return to the forest, entertaining the thought of leaving it altogether. As she leaves ThunderClan camp, the cats of the Clan follow her with their eyes, some sending baleful glares as she disappears.

Graystripe reflects on what had happened and just how different the outcome could've turned out. His thoughts turn to Firestar returning unknowingly to BloodClan territory and being killed. However, the gray tom shakes away the thoughts as he realises how exhausted he is. He decides to head to the warriors' den but spots Dustpelt, Cloudtail, and Thornclaw in front the of the fresh-kill pile with their apprentices. He overhears the warriors assigning the younger cats punishments as he notices that none of the siblings are badly injured. As he reaches the den, a group of warriors are huddled outside of it. Graystripe prepares himself for being yowled at, but instead is praised by his peers and offered apologises by some of them. He thanks them for their apologies and soaks in the praise from Speckletail, who speaks on behalf of most of ThunderClan as she offers her kind words.

The following morning, Graystripe pads across the camp's clearing with the satisfaction of seeing his Clanmate doing their duties. He spots warriors returning from hunting patrols, while others are repairing dens. The acting leader spots the queens outside the nursery with their kits as well, overhearing the young cats pretending to fight. The tom heads towards the nursery where Cinderpelt joins him to visit Gremlin. Before they do, Graystripe and the medicine cat quickly discuss what StarClan had shared with her. Graystripe comes around to that perhaps StarClan had warned him not to bite Snake, and Cinderpelt agrees with and suggests the idea that if he had killed the tom, the battle may have ended differently. Graystripe shivers as he knows that he wanted to kill the tom. Cinderpelt reminds him that he didn't and as a result, showing mercy had been the right choice. With a flick of her tail, the pair head into the nursery.

Inside the nursery, they find Gremlin and Graystripe checks in on her, knowing that earlier that morning they had buried her brother, Scraps. Gremlin thanks him for honoring their bargain, but tells him that she won't be staying in ThunderClan as she doesn't have Scraps with her anymore and that their way of life seems too different for her. Graystripe tries to persuade her, but Gremlin remains firm as she knows her kits' safety is the utmost important thing to her. Cinderpelt asks the queen what her plan is then and Gremlin hesitantly states she's going to try being a kittypet. The medicine cat raises her concerns, but the pregnant queen admits her feelings about the idea but knows that it's her safest option. Graystripe wishes her luck in her endeavors while Cinderpelt wishes she would reconsider, regarding how close she is to kitting.

As Gremlin begins to take her leave, Cinderpelt tells her to be quick in finding a Twoleg and to keep chewing chervil root. Gremlin thanks her as Graystripe follows the queen to the gorse tunnel. At the entrance to the tunnel, they stop and Gremlin tells the gray tom one last time that she is sorry to leave. Graystripe tells her that ThunderClan will be in her debt and that he wishes her and her kits long happy lives and that if they ever needed help, all they have to do is ask.

Characters

Major

• Graystripe
• Fury
• Gremlin

Minor

• Ashfur
• Snake
• Cinderpelt
• Ferncloud
• Brightheart
• Dustpelt
• Cloudtail
• Thornclaw
• Rainpaw
• Sootpaw
• Sorrelpaw
• Mousefur
• Brackenfur
• Speckletail
• Shrewkit
• Spiderkit
• Whitekit

Mentioned

• Firestar
• Scraps

Important events

• ThunderClan wins the battle against BloodClan.
• Cinderpelt's "Three-headed snake" prophecy is fulfilled by Graystripe making his own decision to trust Gremlin, and not kill Snake in battle.