Long Shadows/Chapter 17

"Cats are being lost and prey is disappearing. There must be a better place to live...Maybe that place is the stone hills you speak of."

— Stone Song in Long Shadows, page 210

Long Shadows
Chapter number:	17 (of 28)
Page numbers:	208-221
Point of View:	Jaypaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 17 (of 28)

Page Numbers: 208-221

Chapter Summary

Jaypaw and Half Moon finish eating a blackbird, and Half Moon suggests they take the leftovers to Owl Feather to help feed her hungry kits. Half Moon points out the distant mountains, and remarks that Stone Song believes they should move in that direction. Jaypaw wonders if these cats could be the ancestors of the Tribe. Jaypaw warns her that life in the mountains would be difficult, and describes the rough terrain and giant birds. Stone Song arrives as he is speaking and questions how Jaypaw knows this. The apprentice explains it as a dream. Stone Song describes his worries about cats going missing and prey dwindling, as well as the monsters tearing up the earth near their territory, and wonders if the stone hills would be a better place to live.

Half Moon offers to go with Jaypaw to the mountains, and he realizes that Half Moon loves Jay's Wing. He wonders if he could grow to love her back, but protests to himself that he is a medicine cat and she believes he is someone else. Dark Whiskers approaches, and upon hearing about Jaypaw's dream, agrees that they must go to the mountains. Shy Fawn argues against leaving, reminding the others that in order to make a decision, they must perform the casting of stones. She tells them Furled Bracken has called for a meeting. Half Moon and Dove's Wing are excited for the casting of stones, expressing support for leaving, while Fish Leap wants to stay. Half Moon and Jaypaw bring the remains of the blackbird to Owl Feather and her kits. Owl Feather says she agrees with leaving and will take her kits with her.

The cats gather in a glade where Furled Bracken is waiting, and Stone Song tells him they want to cast the stones about the decision to leave. Furled Bracken argues they should stay, and several cats agree, including Rising Moon and Owl Feather's mate, Jagged Lightning. Stone Song reminds him of the death of Falcon Swoop and the disappearances of Falling Rain and Fallen Leaves. He shares what Jaypaw told him about the mountains, exaggerating with promises of abundant prey and no enemies. Jaypaw wants to protest, but wonders if he is supposed to ensure the cats move to the mountains. They all look at Jaypaw expectantly, and he grows dizzy, thinking that he wants to go home. Furled Bracken draws a line in the dirt with his claw, and the cats vote by pushing small pebbles onto either side of the line. Furled Bracken, Running Horse, Cloudy Sun, Jagged Lightning, Rising Moon, Fish Leap, Dawn River, and Shy Fawn vote to stay, while Stone Song, Broken Shadow, Dark Whiskers, Owl Feather, Chasing Clouds, Whispering Breeze, Dove's Wing, and Half Moon vote to leave. Once all the Ancients have voted, the two lines of stones are even. As the newest sharpclaw, Jaypaw is instructed to cast the final stone. He feels it's unfair for him to make this decision, but believes these cats must become the Tribe of Rushing Water, and he votes to leave.

Characters

Major

• Jaypaw

Minor

• Half Moon
• Dove's Wing
• Fish Leap
• Stone Song
• Dark Whiskers
• Shy Fawn
• Owl Feather
• Lapping Wave
• Running Fox
• Strong Pounce
• Running Horse
• Rising Moon
• Broken Shadow
• Chasing Clouds
• Furled Bracken
• Jagged Lightning
• Black-and-white cat
• Cloudy Sun
• Whispering Breeze
• Dawn River

Mentioned

• Stone Song's Mother
• Fallen Leaves
• Lionblaze
• Heatherpaw
• Kestrelpaw
• Falcon Swoop
• Falling Rain