| "My loyalties lie with RiverClan." |
| — Mothwing to Hawkfrost in Mothwing's Secret, chapter 5 |
- Below contains in-depth information for chapter five of Mothwing's Secret. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
- Chapter Number: 5 (of 9)
- Page Numbers: N/A
Chapter description[]
- Mothwing curls up in her nest, listening to a nearby stream to soothe her heart as she laments over the loss of Heavystep to greencough. The medicine cat notes that if she had gotten catmint for him in time, he would've survived, but despite numerous patrols sent by Leopardstar, none of the herb could be found. Mothwing reminds herself that she had least been able to stop the sickness from spreading throughout RiverClan, as she acted quickly at the first sign of the elder's illness.
- At the den's entrance, Willowpaw, Mothwing's new apprentice, hesitates to enter. Mothwing sits herself up, realising her job as a mentor came first no matter how she felt. She instructs the younger cat to find them some cobwebs, noting that they are handy to have for injured cats and that she should be able to find them behind the warriors' den. As the apprentice leaves, Mothwing promises to teach her more herbs, earning an eager nod from Willowpaw. The gray cat quietly tells her mentor that Heavystep's death wasn't her fault as she had worked hard. Mothwing thanks her for the reassurance as the young cat takes her leave.
- The medicine cat can't help but worry about her apprentice as well as despite her confidence in herbs and treating cats, she couldn't teach Willowpaw about StarClan, due to her lack of belief. Mothwing notes she had never shared tongues with StarClan and that Hawkfrost had cheated the Clan into accepting her as their medicine cat. She laments over the other medicine cats and their belief in their warrior ancestors, and the fact that she doesn't doubt what they see, just that she doesn't believe it to be real. Mothwing ends her thoughts with the fact that if she couldn't see StarClan, she wouldn't be able to help Willowpaw become a true medicine cat.
- The thorns to the medicine den shake as Hawkfrost enters, asking to see Mothwing as the Clan's medicine cat, not just as his sister. Mothwing gives him a quick once over, noticing his tired eyes and a long scratch across his chest. He dismisses her questions about the scratch and lowers his voice to state he is worried about RiverClan. Mothwing questions his concern, wondering if Twolegs had entered their territory. Hawkfrost tells her it's not the Twolegs, but Stormfur and Brook, who had recently rejoined RiverClan from the Tribe of Rushing Water with little explanation to as why. Mothwing questions her brother's worry, pointing out Stormfur's part in finding the new territories and that he had always been a loyal warrior. The two siblings argue over Hawkfrost's accusations of Stormfur being a traitor and Brook's past. Mothwing questions him, wondering why he cared so much about their loyalty.
- Hawkfrost points out that Leopardstar is the oldest Clan leader and that Mistyfoot will be the next leader. Mothwing jumps to their leader's defense, pointing out that she is healthy as Hawkfrost states he wants to be the next Clan deputy, due to his strength and loyalty. He adds after Mothwing points out he had been the Clan's temporary deputy before, that Mistyfoot likes Stormfur more than him. Mothwing wonders if Stormfur would be a choice, as he did leave the Clan. Hawkfrost's ears twitch, pointing out that many moons before, Tigerstar had kept both Mistyfoot and Stormfur as prisoners due to their half-Clan heritage and that Mistyfoot would prefer the gray tom as deputy rather than one of Tigerstar's kin. As their conversation continues and Mothwing tries to defend their Clanmate's, Hawkfrost asks her to speak with Leopardstar and Mistyfoot about the two cats and to fake a vision. Mothwing protests at the idea of faking a vision and tells the tom how ashamed his trick has made her feel about her position. Hawkfrost watches her with a calm look in his eyes and Mothwing wonders if their father had done the same considering gaze. She asks him if he would keep the secret, but he asks, without acknowledging her question about a dream from StarClan about Stormfur and Brook.
- Some time following, Mothwing treats a belly wound on Hawkfrost, muttering as she works. The tom protests, asking if she was on his side. Mothwing answers that she is, but amends her response that she is instead on RiverClan's side and comments on his behavior when Leopardstar exiles Stormfur and Brook. Hawkfrost tells her that they got rid of a threat and her dream had worked exactly as he had hoped in driving their Clan against the two Tribe cats. Mothwing tells him she feels ashamed as he tells her to remember where her loyalties lie. She tells him hers lie with RiverClan and that his should too. Hawkfrost states that his do and that when he becomes RiverClan's leader, their Clan would be the strongest of them all. He goes on to explain his plan, involving their half-brother, Brambleclaw and Mothwing wonders with a sense of dread if this had something to do with Tigerstar.
- Mothwing tells him that there have to four Clans, which makes Hawkfrost question the idea, bringing StarClan into the equation. The medicine cat states that she still doesn't believe in their warrior ancestors, but questions why leading RiverClan isn't enough for him. Hawkfrost snaps at her, saying to keep her mouth shut and stick with her duties as a medicine cat. He promises to take care of her and that their home, RiverClan, will be safe. Mothwing feels the weight of her guilt as she finishes treating her brother, pondering on the thoughts of Hawkfrost as RiverClan's leader.
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- This chapter aligns with chapter fifteen of Sunset.[2]
Notes and references[]
| Mothwing's Secret chapters | |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 • Chapter 2 • Chapter 3 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 5 • Chapter 6 • Chapter 7 • Chapter 8 • Chapter 9 | |