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These notes reflect a bulleted list of major and minor events in Graystripe's Vow that can be easily navigated. They are intended to serve as a reference for those looking for specific events in re-reading and book discussions and include links to the relevant chapter subpages further detailing each chapter's events.
He recaps on how in leaf-bare, Bramblestar had lost his first life, giving way for an impostor to take control of his body.
He recalls how the Clans listened to him, not knowing that Bramblestar was an impostor, and leaders who were normally calm and collected starting feeling anxious, exiling their codebreakers.
Graystripe feels guilty about not standing up to the fake Bramblestar.
Graystripe thinks that despite Cinderpelt's best efforts, the Clan still heavily distrusts and is very wary of Graystripe's temporary leadership of ThunderClan.
Graystripe decides not to confront WindClan, much to the annoyance of every cat.
Graystripe watches Brackenfur, Thornclaw, and Brambleclaw leave camp, and he can tell that even Brackenfur is disappointed in him.
As he tries to fall asleep, the sound of a cat howling in fear startles him, and he wonders what is going on.
On the way to the mountains Graystripe doubts if he is on the right way, but steers his mindset to be more optimistic about his sense of direction.
He warns Flipclaw to stay away from the edge of the cliff, while Flipclaw reports to him that he is excited to tell his littermates about his adventures.
Graystripe returns to camp after being attacked by BloodClan and is greeted by Ashfur, Thornclaw, and Cloudtail.
Graystripe asks if Dustpelt and Brambleclaw made it back to camp, and Thornclaw replies that they did and they sent the second group out to look for him.
Graystripe says that they need to drive off BloodClan.
Dustpelt is pleased to see that Graystripe has made his way back to camp safely.
Graystripe asks Dustpelt if he knows anything about Ashfur wanting him to be deputy, and Dustpelt says he only heard rumors.
Dustpelt affirms his loyalty and promises to talk to Ashfur.
Cloudtail, Ashfur, and others are talking and wondering where Firestar has gone.
The next morning, Graystripe awakens his Clan and says that they have to deal with BloodClan.
They will survey the territory to look for more signs of them, and Graystripe and Ashfur lead two patrols.
Graystripe's patrol is unsuccessful in finding any traces and they return to camp.
Graystripe decides that he must leave the Tribe and talks with Stormfur.
Stormfur is visibly hurt by this, expressing concern over his father's well-being.
Graystripe wants to stay, but knows he cannot abandon ThunderClan.
Graystripe says that he needs to visit the Moonstone, and Stormfur does not understand what good it would do.
Stormfur admits that if he did not have kin in the Tribe, that he would go along with Graystripe, but wishes him well regardless.
Stormfur accepts Graystripe's choice to leave, but says that he is welcome to return to the Tribe, and Graystripe promises to think about it.
Graystripe muses that Flipclaw might wish to stay with the Tribe, nodding to his bond with Feather of Flying Hawk.
Graystripe talks to Flipclaw, and he reveals that he wishes to return to ThunderClan, as living in the Tribe is not for him.
Graystripe gets ready to depart and thanks the Tribe and Stoneteller for their help, and tells Flipclaw that he will see him in ThunderClan's camp later.
On his way, Graystripe notes that he has never traveled by himself before.
Graystripe attempts to hunt, thanking StarClan for the prey, even though he is not sure if they can hear him.
Graystripe runs into Twolegs, but manages to evade them and flee the area.
He climbs Highstones, surveying the unrecognizable former Clan territory, and notes Barley'sfarm.
He wants to visit Barley, but notes that he needs to find the Moonstone first.
He remembers Ravenpaw, Barley's companion and former ThunderClan cat, and thinks that Barley must miss him greatly.
Attempting to travel to Mothermouth proves to be difficult for Graystripe, as he had never come from the opposite direction.
Graystripe notices how late it is getting and he does not want to run into an owl.
Graystripe soon meets a tabby-and-white kittypet, who has never heard of the Moonstone or Mothermouth.
He attempts to make his way through a Twolegplace, dodging Twolegs and monsters along the way.
Drifting to sleep, Graystripe has a dream about Millie, his former mate, who had died recently.
In his dream, he sees his children, Blossomfall and Bumblestripe, who had come to be with their mother.
As Millie passes away, Graystripe sees Briarlight, one of his daughters who had passed away, come to accompany Millie to StarClan.
Graystripe wakes up and realizes that Millie had not quite died as he had dreamed, not giving him any advice to use.
He wonders if Millie is able to see him struggling, and this fills him with hope.
Graystripe soon makes his way to a familiar sight, the old river and bridge near RiverClan territory.
He decides to follow his urge to visit RiverClan territory, only to find himself tackled by a young she-cat, barely more than the size of an apprentice.
Graystripe leads ThunderClan to a Gathering, and he is accompanied by Dustpelt, Mousefur, Brackenfur, Cloudtail, Thornclaw, and Brambleclaw.
Graystripe notes that although Brambleclaw is a new and inexperienced warrior, he admires his dedication and would be a great asset if they got into a skirmish.
Graystripe is uncomfortable representing ThunderClan at this Gathering and wishes Firestar would return.
Many cats ask where Firestar is, and Graystripe continues to say that he is ill and recovering, despite the fact that the leader and his mate, Sandstorm, are actually on a journey from StarClan.
Graystripe, Leopardstar, Tallstar, and Blackstar all report the news within their Clans.
Leopardstar and Blackstar again push Graystripe for news on Firestar's whereabouts, and they are fed another lie.
Attempting to distract the Gathering crowd, Graystripe announces the birth of Whitekit, the sole kit of Cloudtail and Brightheart.
Cloudtail is glad to have the attention, adoring both his mate and child.
Tallstar is happy for the new family, but realizes that there is a more pressing matter—BloodClan and their reappearance on Clan territory.
None of the Clans have reported seeing BloodClan past Graystripe's encounter with them.
All four Clans agree to report any sighting of BloodClan immediately, instead of waiting for another Gathering.
The Gathering is at an end, and Graystripe takes a moment to talk with his kits, Feathertail and Stormfur.
He makes sure that they are doing well in RiverClan, but expresses that they are always welcome in ThunderClan if things do not work out.
Stormfur and Feathertail say they are doing well in RiverClan, and express their excitement at getting to see their father.
Feathertail mews that as long as Stormfur is in RiverClan, she will try her best to belong there with him.
Graystripe bids goodbye to his kits, and wonders if BloodClan is currently keeping an eye on him, anxious of the rogue group's whereabouts.
Upon seeing Graystripe's confusion, Chester explains that it was easier just to keep using his kittypet name instead of two different ones.
Monkeystar says that they are kittypets and warriors, trying to keep alive the warriors' way of life.
Graystripe asks how they know about it, and Monkeystar says that they learned about the Clans from an older kittypet called Smudge.
Curious what stories Smudge has told, he asks WarriorClan what happened to the forest cats.
Graystripe reveals that he is one of those warriors that Smudge talked about, and that he came back to see the old territory.
WarriorClan is shocked, and want to know why Graystripe left the territory, to which he replies that Twolegs took over the territories and forced them to leave.
Bugeater looks at Graystripe and comments on his pelt color, saying that he is not orange.
Graystripe reveals that the orange cat is Firestar, and that he and the old ThunderClan leader were best friends, but sadly mews that he has died and is with StarClan.
Monkeystar tells Graystripe that she does not want to hear more stories, and wants Graystripe to prove himself in battle, to which Graystripe accepts.
The fight does not last long as Graystripe tricks Monkeystar and pins her down.
WarriorClan wants Graystripe to teach them warrior moves.
They practice the hunter's crouch until sundown, but WarriorClan is eager to learn more.
Graystripe bids farewell to the kittypets, declining their offer to stay with him for the night and help him find the Moonstone.
After leaving WarriorClan behind, Graystripe makes his way through the forest territories and happens upon the remainder of Fourtrees.
The Great Rock has turned into rubble, and the oak trees have been cut down, leaving Graystripe shocked and breathless.
Graystripe and Brackenfur go out hunting, and Graystripe finds a nice rabbit for the elders.
While looking for Brackenfur, Graystripe comes across the pregnant she-cat from the BloodClan battle.
The she-cat introduces herself as Gremlin, and she mews that she is not looking for any trouble.
She mentions that she and her brother were kittypets once, but they opted to leave once a Twoleg kit started handling them the wrong way.
Gremlin says that BloodClan used to be there for her, but since she is expecting kits, she is worried for their future, given BloodClan's way of handling things.
She explains to Graystripe that BloodClan separates kits from their mothers, and that families are not allowed to live together.
Gremlin admits that she has been watching the Clans for a while and has the utmost respect for how they treat their queens and kits.
Gremlin asks if she and her brother, Scraps, would be allowed to join ThunderClan, with Gremlin offering to prove her worth to the Clan first.
She mews that she can help keep ThunderClan safe by offering to spy on BloodClan's new leader, Fury, and relay this back to Graystripe.
Graystripe is curious, but hesitant, about Gremlin and Scraps and tells Gremlin that he will think about it.
Brackenfur breaks through the bushes and yowls at Graystripe and wants to know how the gray tom can trust anything BloodClan says.
Gremlin protests, saying that she is not lying, but if Graystripe makes the wrong choice, it would not be BloodClan cats who die.
Gremlin departs, but tells Graystripe that if he wants to talk to her, go to the red den and ask for her.
She mentions that Smudge knows how to get in contact with her, and that he lives in the red den.
Graystripe mews happily that he knows Smudge, saying that he is a friend to the Clans.
Brackenfur continues to fight Graystripe on Gremlin, saying that he should not even consider her proposition.
He continues to voice his objections, but promises Graystripe that he will not tell the entire Clan.
Upon their return to ThunderClan, Graystripe opts to visit Cinderpelt to see what the medicine cat thinks.
Cinderpelt gives her opinion to Graystripe, but says that ultimately this is his choice to make, and a big one at that.
She wants to go to the Moonstone and seek advice from StarClan before trying to make a choice.
Monkeystar calls to Graystripe, saying that she does not believe this strange cat.
Graystripe, however, does, and mews that the promise he made to Gremlin extends to her children as well.
The gray elder recalls that Stormfur, his son, had mentioned that there was a cat asking after him and wonders if this cat could be it.
The tom introduces himself as Fang, and explains that he has escaped from a Twoleg den.
Graystripe wonders if he is asking to join ThunderClan, but the tom says that he is not.
Fang explains that things are bad at the Twoleg den, and he wants to try and save the other cats that are trapped there.
Fang mentions that his mate, Daffodil, is still there and she has fallen ill.
Graystripe believes Fang and is able to tell that he is not faking any of his story.
Fang is unsure what Graystripe could do to help, but remembers that Gremlin would always describe warriors as clever and he should at least try to assist.
Graystripe asks where the Twoleg den is, and Fang mews that it is not far from where they are, near what used to be RiverClan territory.
Graystripe says that he will help if he can, but the Moonstone is his first priority.
Fang does not know what the Moonstone is, and Graystripe explains that he needs help just like the other cats do.
Fang accepts Graystripe's assistance, and says that he will travel to the Moonstone with the group.
Graystripe reiterates the point that no one is allowed inside barring himself, to which Fang accepts.
Graystripe asks if Fang has eaten and if he knows how to hunt.
He replies that he does not, but he will be fine.
Graystripe tells everyone that they are taking a break to hunt and eat food, as he wants no cat to collapse and hurt themselves.
Graystripe soon returns with a rabbit and Fang is impressed at his skills.
WarriorClan, Fang, and Graystripe share the rabbit.
Fireface, Chester, Bigteeth, and Bugeater opt to go home, leaving Monkeystar and Clawwhistle with Graystripe.
They depart, and they finally reach Mothermouth.
Graystripe explains that StarClan are their ancestors, and due to this, only Graystripe is able to enter Mothermouth and see the Moonstone.
Graystripe enters the cave and makes his way down a dark path, wondering when he would reach the Moonstone.
Despite Graystripe's pleas, StarClan does not answer him, and instead he can only hear the rumble of thunder overhead.
A flash of lightning strikes the Moonstone, temporarily blinding Graystripe.
He backs up and worries that he has made StarClan angry.
Graystripe opts to meet Gremlin, but informs her that he is not the real ThunderClan leader and the final decision rests with Firestar.
Gremlin believes that this is fair, and promises that she and Scraps will try to be good ThunderClan cats.
Graystripe explains that they are called warriors, and Gremlin likes the sound of that and believes that Scraps will as well.
The pregnant queen, a bit more relaxed now, goes on to explain what BloodClan's plan is, saying that BloodClan will be intentionally waiting until there are few warriors in camp.
She explains that if Graystripe opts to not send out patrols, BloodClan would wait as ThunderClan cannot stay in their camp all day.
Graystripe ponders changing up ThunderClan's routine, but Gremlin warns against it, saying that Fury would figure out that someone told ThunderClan.
She also mews that it would not take Fury very long to realize it was Gremlin, putting her and her unborn kits at risk.
Graystripe says that he trusts Gremlin, which causes her to relax even further and reveal more information to Graystripe.
She points out that ThunderClan should pay attention to a cat named Brick, whom she describes as a ginger cat.
Graystripe wonders if this is the right move and if it will be the thing that drives out BloodClan for good.
Graystripe and Barley spend a good chunk of the day reflecting on Gremlin and stories of the older ThunderClan days.
Barley, though appreciative of Graystripe's company, soon falls asleep, but not before promising to tell more stories before Graystripe departs.
Fang, upon seeing this, starts to become annoyed with the stories, and lashes out at Graystripe.
The younger tom launches himself into Gremlin's story, explaining that she was a kittypet, and was very happy at her Twolegs' house.
He mentions that there was another kittypet there, named Petunia, and that she, Gremlin, and Fang lived happily for many seasons.
Graystripe prompts Fang to continue his story, wanting to know what happened next.
Fang explains that the Twoleg got older and started to get sick, forgetting to feed the cats, and sometimes bringing in more and more cats, until the den was full of toms, she-cats, and many kits.
Graystripe is horrified learning about Gremlin's fate, especially after everything she risked to keep her kits safe.
The two toms opt to leave the following dawn, and that Graystripe's promise to Gremlin still remains.
Graystripe awakens the following day and talks with Barley again, jokingly commenting that he feels old.
Barley laughs and says that to him, Graystripe is still a young cat with many more moons to go.
Barley tells Graystripe, who is still confused on what to do, that the right path is clear, should he take the time to think and see what his gut says.
Graystripe opts to let Fang sleep a little while longer.
Fang is annoyed that Graystripe let him sleep well past dawn, although the older tom is more concerned with making sure that Fang eats, gets enough sleep, and builds up his strength for the journey.
Barley offers Fang some of the kittypet food, explaining that his Twolegs always give him far too much.
Fang loves the food and gulps a lot of it down.
Barley wishes Fang well, and says that any kit of Gremlin's will be welcome at his barn.
Graystripe says it is time to go, but promises to stop by again to say goodbye to Barley if he has the time.
Monkeystar and Clawwhistle want to go with Graystripe and Fang, but Graystripe is worried for their safety, comparing them to no more than apprentices.
Graystripe decides to leave them in charge of protecting Barley's farm, just in case something were to happen.
Barley goes along with Graystripe, saying that he would never be able to take on a badger and that he is getting old.
Monkeystar sees right through Graystripe's plan, but proudly states that she and Clawwhistle will stay behind to protect the old farm cat.
Graystripe reflects on WarriorClan, saying that while they keep the spirit and memory of the Clans alive, what they know is the furthest from the truth.
As Graystripe and Fang reach the older Twoleg's den, Graystripe is hit with a smell that almost makes him vomit.
Fang's expression makes Graystripe realize that he would be okay with Graystripe backing out, but he does not.
Fang explains that the den originally did not have many cats, but now there were well over a dozen cats.
He also informs Graystripe that she usually keeps the door shut and locked now, so him getting out was a fluke.
Graystripe notices Daffodil, Fang's mate, and comes up with a way to get inside.
He tells Fang to stay outside, that way he can direct the cats once they escape from the den.
Despite making his way into the den, Graystripe is accidentally locked inside and Fang starts to panic.
Trapped in the Twoleg den, Graystripe tries to claw his way through a small hole, but is unsuccessful.
While attempting, Graystripe starts to attract the attention of some of the older cats in the den.
One of the oldest, a fluffy gray she-cat, says that there is no point in Graystripe trying to claw his way out.
She also comments that Honeysuckle, or Fang as he is known as now, only got lucky.
The she-cat introduces herself as Petunia, and explains that she has been there the longest.
She explains what happened to Gremlin, her kits, and even Fang, and Graystripe is shocked.
Suddenly, he hears a shuffling noise and looks to see the older Twoleg, who calls all of the cats in the house Petunia.
Petunia barges her way through a group of cats trying to scramble for food, and she takes a mouthful of it and brings it to Daffodil, encouraging her to eat.
Other cats start to introduce themselves to Graystripe, curious when he says that he wants to help the kittypets escape.
Lily, a ginger she-cat, explains that many of them want to escape and have tried many times.
One of the kittypets gets an idea to attack the Twoleg, but Petunia is vehemently against it.
When asked why, Petunia explains that the elderly Twoleg has taken care of her for many seasons and that she saved her life.
Petunia tells Graystripe that she may know of a way out, saying that they should prop open a door, but she explains further that it may not work.
The kittypets and Graystripe attempt to block the door, but they are unsuccessful and are locked in the house yet again.
Graystripe awakens and shakes the moss from his pelt, anxious about the upcoming battle with BloodClan.
He worries that Gremlin was not telling the truth.
He rouses the warriors, and then wakes up the rest of the camp.
He opts not to make any noise, as to not alert BloodClan to anything other than the normal morning routines for ThunderClan.
Graystripe goes to visit Longtail and Cinderpelt, and he whispers in a hushed voice the plans for the day, urging cats to stay close to camp but be undetected.
Goldenflower and Frostfur are made honorary warriors for the day, and they go on the dawn patrol.
Graystripe is still trapped in the den and at a loss for finding a way out.
He spots Daffodil and Petunia, and asks Daffodil how she is doing.
She sighs and says that she will be fine, although her voice does not sound hopeful.
Graystripe tells Daffodil that Fang—who was originally named Honeysuckle—had come back for her and that she was outside.
That gives the orange-and-white she-cat a glimmer of hope.
Petunia encourages Daffodil to get some rest.
Graystripe scans the den, looking for a way out, and he discovers that the floorboards are made out of material that he could try and loosen.
Lily approaches and tells Graystripe that they have tried many times to escape that way.
Graystripe apologizes for being rude, and tries to encourage the cats to band together and find a way to leave.
Graystripe sees the sickness and pain, and is not surprised that many of them have already given up.
Graystripe suddenly hears a sound and sees that Fang has brought help in the form of WarriorClan.
Fang and WarriorClan try to dislodge the loose branch from the outside.
They are successful once the cats from inside start to help as well.
One-by-one, each of the cats escape the Twoleg den, and Graystripe tries to coax Petunia out as well, who does not want to leave her Twoleg behind.
As the cats escape, a loud sound marks the approach of a Twoleg, who makes no effort to interact with any of the cats there.
Graystripe tells Fang that they need to go elsewhere, because now the Twolegs are aware of their presence.
Graystripe lets the cats decide for themselves where to go, with some of the cats going near the Twolegs in hopes of being taken to a better place.
Daffodil is one of the cats who opts to stay due to her illness, although it breaks Fang's heart to have to leave his mate.
The cats soon see Petunia, who lets out a wail as Twolegs take her elderly Twoleg away.
WarriorClan, Graystripe, and the former kittypets travel briefly and find a safe place to rest for the day to allow every cat to regain their strength and energy.
Graystripe wonders if he should comfort Fang, but instead opts not to say anything and just let Fang express how he feels.
Graystripe recalls being separated from Millie, and settles down beside Fang to rest for the night.
Graystripe arrives at Barley's barn, and finds him dozing away.
Graystripe tells Barley that they were successful in helping Fang's friends, recalling the tale over a good mouse.
Barley is astonished, wondering how Twolegs could be so cruel.
Graystripe explains that the Twoleg was not cruel, she was just elderly and forgot how to take care of cats.
Barley muses that WarriorClan will be visiting more often.
Graystripe confirms it, and says they will tell many a story to Barley.
Graystripe tells Barley of Monkeystar's offer to live at the barn should Clan life not work out for them.
He is thrilled, and would welcome the company.
Barley's voice is sad when he remembers that this will be the last time he sees Graystripe.
He admits that things seemed fairly lackluster once he lost Ravenpaw, and Graystripe agrees with that, explaining that he lost his own mate, Millie.
Graystripe departs Barley's barn, and soon makes his way to the mountains, where he encounters Stormfur and his kin.
Stormfur invites his father into the caves for a rest and some food.
Graystripe recounts his tales to Stormfur, who has returned with nice prey.
Graystripe apologizes, saying that he will return to ThunderClan.
He realizes that his love for ThunderClan will always be there, both past and present.
Stormfur does not like his father's choice, but does not fight him on it.
The gray elder explains that even if StarClan does not return, they can still be a Clan as long as they take care of one another.
Graystripe tells Stormfur he can come with him, but his son refuses, saying that his mate, Brook Where Small Fish Swim, would not leave the mountains, nor would his children.
They continue talking, and Graystripe realizes why he stopped to meet his son.
After leaving the mountains, Graystripe arrives back in Clan territory within days, and he thinks that he has finally come home.
