Kestrelwing

"There will be many troubles on our path—I do not doubt it. But nothing good comes without a struggle. We must fight for our future." This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, StormClan's Folly. Please proceed at your own discretion.

"I do not think. I know [StarClan] will not [give you their blessing]. Five Clans. There have always been five. What you two seek to do is..."

— Kestrelwing about Galestar and Stripestar creating StormClan in StormClan's Folly, page 70

Kestrelwing
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	StarClan
Past:	ThunderClan StormClan
Biographical information
Cause of death:	Killed by a monster
Names
Medicine cat:	Kestrelwing
Elder:	Kestrelwing
StarClan resident:	Kestrelwing
Book appearances
Living	Cloudstar's Journey, Firestar's Quest, StormClan's Folly, Battles of the Clans,
Living	Cloudstar's Journey, Firestar's Quest, StormClan's Folly, Battles of the Clans,
Dead	StormClan's Folly
Dead	StormClan's Folly

Kestrelwing is a dark brown tabby tom with a graying pelt and rhumey yellow eyes.

Kestrelwing was an ancient ThunderClan medicine cat and elder who served under Redstar and Stripestar's leaderships in the forest territories. When SkyClan was banished from the forest, Kestrelwing did not approve of his leader's choice and offered Cloudstar's mate, Birdflight, a place in ThunderClan with her kits, Spottedkit and Gorsekit, who were too young to travel. Seasons later, Kestrelwing was one of StormClan's medicine cats. He participated in their journey to find a new home until he was killed on a Thunderpath, ascending to StarClan. He guided his former Clanmates to the sun-drown-place and later gave a life to Whitestar.

History

In the Super Editions

Firestar's Quest

Birdflight: "Cloudstar. Our kits are too small to make a long journey. I'll stay here with them, if any Clan will have us."

Kestrelwing: "You will all be welcome in ThunderClan."

^{Firestar's Quest, page 6}

When SkyClan is banished from the forest by the other Clans, he offers Birdflight and her kits a place to stay in ThunderClan, as they are unable to leave with the rest of SkyClan because the kits are too young. Cloudstar, Birdflight's mate, challenges Kestrelwing's motives, asking if he is sure that his kits will be welcome in ThunderClan after Redstar told SkyClan they must leave. Kestrelwing tells him that he does not support Redstar's decision and cannot allow kits to die. He then promises Cloudstar that Birdflight and her kits will have a future in ThunderClan. As SkyClan is leaving, Kestrelwing promises Cloudstar that he will take good care of his mate and his kits for him.

StormClan's Folly

"And now we know. Now we know what [StarClan thinks] of your plan. I hope you are satisfied with your choice. You told StarClan that there is no going back. And now...now I'm afraid that you are right."

―Kestrelwing to Stripestar and Galestar ^{StormClan's Folly, page 77}

Kestrelwing is a medicine cat of ThunderClan. As Stripestar, Galestar, and their medicine cats head to the Moonstone to seek StarClan's approval for the formation of StormClan, they are stopped when Kestrelwing seems alarmed. He warns that StarClan will never approve of StormClan, but the two leaders dismiss him. Once they reach the Moonstone, Kestrelwing calls upon StarClan to speak with them. Stripestar and Galestar openly defy StarClan's refusal to accept StormClan, and Kestrelwing is horrified, pleading with them to reconsider. He is distraught as StormClan's connection with StarClan is permanently destroyed.

Kestrelwing has trouble adjusting to sharing the medicine den with Goldenleaf in the ThunderClan camp. He visits the pregnant Galestar in the nursery, providing her with herbs. At her insistence, Kestrelwing tells her that the Clan is struggling to accept StarClan's message, that ShadowClan and RiverClan are hunting on WindClan's old territory, and that there is a shortage of prey. He also warns of the potential for an alliance between ShadowClan and RiverClan, to defend themselves against StormClan, as they may feel threatened. Galestar experiences a sharp pain in her flank, and Kestrelwing is alarmed, but assures her that she is strong enough to handle the pregnancy.

When a fire starts in ThunderClan territory, Kestrelwing helps Galestar out of the nursery. He tries to argue when she wants to help with the evacuation, but she insists that she will lead. He and Pebblenose support her out of camp, but as Kestrelwing weakens, Galestar calls Crowflight to aid him. When Galestar's kitting abruptly begins, Kestrelwing helps her, though she overhears him telling Stripestar that it is too soon. She passes out, and she wakes to Kestrelwing telling her that her kitting is done. The kits have been stillborn, and as StormClan grieves, Kestrelwing, Stoneflower, and Goldenleaf prepare the kits for burial.

As StormClan prepares to leave the forest, Kestrelwing gives out traveling herbs. He accompanies StormClan for the start of the journey, but when they reach a tangle of Thunderpaths, Galestar and Stripestar have him wait until last to cross. Galestar soon regrets this, as by the time the rest of StormClan has crossed, Kestrelwing is exhausted and disoriented due to the heat. StormClan encourages him when it is his and Stripestar's turn. When they first begin to cross, Kestrelwing struggles, but he soon shakes it off and finds a burst of energy, racing across the Thunderpath. However, an object tossed from a monster rolls into his path, pushed by the wind, and Kestrelwing stumbles over it. He is unable to get out of the way before a monster hits him, to the horror of StormClan. Unable to retrieve his body due to the danger, StormClan is forced to leave the Thunderpath and settle in a clearing, exhausted and grieving. Kestrelwing's death sticks with the cats, partly driving Petalstep to leave to become a kittypet.

Kestrelwing's death has a negative impact on StormClan's morale, and Stripestar and Galestar remember him often. When Stripestar and Galestar meet Stoneteller, she reminds Stripestar of Kestrelwing, and when she says that she has seen the deaths of Kestrelwing and Rosebush, Stripestar and Galestar conclude that StarClan had known the tragedies would occur. Later on, as StormClan heads back to the forest, Goldenleaf says that Kestrelwing has given her a vision of an endless lake where kits play and StormClan is content. After StormClan returns home to the forest, their attempt to settle at the sun-drown-place having failed and having lost Galestar and her kits, Whitestep is appointed the new leader of ThunderClan by StarClan, and Kestrelwing grants her a life for the ability to admit mistakes.

In the Novellas

Cloudstar's Journey

"I believe my leader was wrong, but he won't condemn helpless kits to die. They will have a future in ThunderClan, and so will you, Birdflight."

―Kestrelwing to Birdflight when SkyClan is banished ^{Cloudstar's Journey, chapter 10}

Kestrelwing is mentioned, not by name, at a Gathering, when Fawnstep pulls Cloudstar aside and tells him all the medicine cats have had dreams about SkyClan being destroyed by the Twoleg monsters. When SkyClan is about to be driven out, Birdflight says that she cannot go because her kits are too small and young. Kestrelwing steps forward, telling her that she is welcome in ThunderClan, and she agrees to join. He tells Cloudstar that he will look after her and the kits.

In the Field Guides

Battles of the Clans

Kestrelwing: "Excuse me, Redstar, but are you going to stand there bleeding or would you like some cobweb on that wound?"

Redstar: "Enough! See to the others first."

^{Battles of the Clans, pages 151-152}

Kestrelwing treats the cats who went with the battle patrol after ThunderClan fights with SkyClan over territory. Once he reaches Redstar, he tries to put a cobweb on his wound, but Redstar refuses treatment until all his warriors are seen to. Kestrelwing steps away, muttering about how Clan leaders evidently have blood to spare. After the wounds are dealt with, the tired medicine cat shows Redstar the stars and points out how they are especially bright that night. He tells his leader that they won the battle with the blessing of their ancestors, and that Redstar is a hero in the stars.

Character pixels

Main images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Medicine Cat Version Elder Version StarClan Version

Alternate images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Alternative Medicine Cat Version

Ceremonies

Lives granted

The following is a list of gifts Kestrelwing has granted during nine lives ceremonies:

Lives granted
Gift Receiver Ability to make mistakes Whitestar

Appearances

• Cloudstar's Journey
• Firestar's Quest (First appearance)
• StormClan's Folly †
• Battles of the Clans

Trivia

Mistakes

• He has been mistakenly described as gray.

Continuity

The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.

• On Vicky's Facebook, Kestrelwing has yellow eyes.

Quotes

"Please. Stripestar, this is foolishness! You must reconsider. You must! Galestar? There is still time to turn back, still time to—"

―Kestrelwing pleading with Stripestar and Galestar ^{StormClan's Folly, page 74}

Kestrelwing: "[...] Although...it's not badgers or foxes we must fear, but the other Clans. There is a rumor that Birchstar and Snakestar have been meeting in secret since the Gathering. And some harsh words have been exchanged between our patrols and those of ShadowClan and RiverClan. Let us hope that things improve soon...before those words turn to violence."

Galestar: "But that's so unfair! We've done nothing to them! Stripestar has made sure that no StormClan cat has strayed from our own hunting grounds. And still they think the worst of us!"

^{StormClan's Folly, pages 87-88}

"Few pregnancies are easy. Many are hard indeed. But... But you are strong, Galestar. One of the strongest cats I have ever known. If any cat can handle it...you can."

―Kestrelwing reassuring Galestar ^{StormClan's Folly, page 89}

Kestrelwing: "Have you seen the sky?"

Redstar: "StarClan approves, doesn't it?"

^{Battles of the Clans, page 152}

External links

• Exclusive: StormClan's Folly Sneak Peek on Warriors official website (backup link)
• On StormClan's Folly: fate and destiny, always inescapable? on Warriors official website (backup link)