Squirrelflight's Hope/Chapter 13

"Pain glittered in his eyes, as though he'd been swiped across the muzzle with powerful claws. [...] Larksong's eyes grew suddenly dull. They rolled back as his paws buckled and he dropped to the ground."

— Narrator about Larksong in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 198

Squirrelflight's Hope
Chapter number:	13 (of 30)
Page numbers:	190-200
Point of View:	Squirrelflight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter thirteen of Squirrelflight's Hope. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 13 (of 30)

Page Numbers: 190-200

Chapter description

Two days after she had visited WindClan with Bramblestar, Squirrelflight sits in the rainy ThunderClan camp. Around her, Larksong, Bramblestar, Birchfall, Hollytuft, Bristlepaw, Thriftpaw, and Flippaw settle down to share fresh-kill. Squirrelflight pushes the remains of the shrew she had been sharing with Millie toward the old she-cat, telling her to finish it. Graystripe emerges from the elder's den announcing that he's hungry, and Millie asks him if he wants the shrew.

Graystripe begins to examine the prey, but is interrupted by Finleap charging into camp calling for Bramblestar. Squirrelflight hurries to meet the young tom and asks what happened. Finleap informs her that Tigerstar is on the border with Scorchfur and Berryheart, along with Mistystar, Owlnose and Havenpelt. Bramblestar stops beside Squirrelflight as Finleap finishes by saying that Twigbranch and Thornclaw are escorting the ShadowClan and RiverClan cats to the camp. Bramblestar thanks Finleap and waves him away, telling the rest of the cats in camp to be on their guard when the visitors come. Bramblestar tells Squirrelflight that he hopes they haven't found out about the border, as they brought two warriors each, enough for a show of strength.

As Squirrelflight and Bramblestar speak, Twigbranch and Thornclaw arrive in camp with Tigerstar, Mistystar, and their warriors. Bramblestar asks the leaders what brings them here, and Tigerstar growls that ThunderClan has reestablished their old border with WindClan. Squirrelflight and Bramblestar defend ThunderClan's decision, but Tigerstar wants them to defend their border with WindClan so that ShadowClan doesn't have to give their marshland back to RiverClan. Mistystar scornfully says that the borders are better how they are now, with RiverClan in control of the marshland. Tigerstar asks Bramblestar to put an end to this trouble, but Bramblestar says that ThunderClan will continue to let WindClan hunt on the strip of moorland. Tigerstar says that perhaps ShadowClan will then take back the land they gave to SkyClan. Squirrelflight says that they can't, and Tigerstar tells her that she should help ShadowClan drive out the Sisters so that SkyClan can move. Bramblestar does not concede and tells Tigerstar and Mistystar to settle the issue themselves, warning Tigerstar against attacking SkyClan, as ThunderClan is willing to defend the new Clan's place beside the lake. Tigerstar and Mistystar leave with scathing remarks directed toward Bramblestar.

Squirrelflight watches them leave and asks Bramblestar if he thinks ShadowClan and RiverClan will fight. Bramblestar tells her that it's not ThunderClan's problem, but Squirrelflight points out that they might turn on SkyClan as well. Bramblestar says that all they can do is wait until Leafstar makes a decision. Squirrelflight asks what will happen if there's a Clan war, but Bramblestar just looks at her hopelessly before padding back to his half-eaten prey.

Daisy calls to Squirrelflight from the nursery to let her know that Sparkpelt felt her kits move and wanted to let her know. Squirrelflight pads into the nursery and heads for Sparkpelt's nest, where the queen lies among the ferns. Sparkpelt purrs when she sees Squirrelflight and tells her to feel her belly. Squirrelflight does so and feels the movements of kits stirring beneath her daughter's pelt. Squirrelflight feels a flash of happiness, then longing, wanting to have kits of her own. She begins to tell Sparkpelt about how she felt when Sparkpelt and Alderheart were born when Larksong pushes his way into the den, sliding past Squirrelflight to touch his nose to his mate's cheek. The black tom dips his head to Squirrelflight, promising to be a good father to her daughter's kits. Squirrelflight purrs, remembering once again how much she wants more kits, but decides to let Sparkpelt have this moment.

Larksong says that he came in to lie down, as he'd been feeling tired all morning for some reason. Squirrelflight suggests that it's just the weather and tells him that he'll need to get better before the kits arrive, and Larksong stands up to imagine giving the kits a badger ride. Suddenly, Larksong stops, pain glittering in his eyes, and falls to the ground. Sparkpelt darts to his side as Squirrelflight presses against her in terror. The ThunderClan deputy tells Sparkpelt to wait while she gets a medicine cat. She races into the medicine den where Alderheart is mixing herbs and tells him what happened to Larksong. Alderheart pelts past her and Squirrelflight hurries after him. Bramblestar asks what's happening as they race by, and Squirrelflight tells the leader that Larksong is sick.

Squirrelflight pushes her way into the nursery, where Alderheart presses his ear against Larksong's chest. Sparkpelt asks if he's okay, and Alderheart informs them that Larksong's heart is beating, but he's not breathing. Squirrelflight presses against Sparkpelt, trying to comfort her daughter. Bramblestar enters the den and stares at Larksong. Alderheart tells the brown tabby to fetch Leafpool, and Bramblestar races out as Alderheart begins pumping his paws against Larksong's chest. Squirrelflight and Sparkpelt watch Alderheart, paralyzed with fear. Suddenly, Larksong gasps and his body spasms before falling still once more. Alderheart bends his head to Larksong's chest, and Squirrelflight notices it rising and falling. Relief swamps her and she turns to tell Sparkpelt that Larksong is alive. Sparkpelt slides to the ground and stares at Larksong desperately.

Characters

Major

• Squirrelflight
• Larksong

Minor

• Bramblestar
• Birchfall
• Hollytuft
• Bristlepaw
• Thriftpaw
• Flippaw
• Millie
• Graystripe
• Finleap
• Twigbranch
• Thornclaw
• Tigerstar
• Mistystar
• Scorchfur
• Berryheart
• Owlnose
• Havenpelt
• Daisy
• Sparkpelt
• Alderheart

Mentioned

• Leafstar
• Leafpool