Starlight/Chapter 23

"The tree began to fall, gathering momentum as it toppled. Too late, Mudclaw turned to flee. His screech of terror was cut off as the tree crashed down on the shore, its branches clattering like bones."

— Narrator describing Mudclaw's death in Starlight, page 313

Starlight
Chapter number:	23 (of 23)
Page numbers:	309-317
Point of View:	Brambleclaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 23 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 309-317

Chapter description

Brambleclaw runs down the hill in the rain, attempting to find Hawkfrost and Mudclaw, feeling energy surge through him. With a flash of lightning, he sees Mudclaw nearing the lakeshore, along with Hawkfrost and a few other cats, and he keeps going. He then passes the horseplace, but is forced to slow down in the marsh, frustrating Brambleclaw. He briefly thinks about how his kinship with Hawkfrost has turned to betrayal, and he sees a cat ahead of him. Brambleclaw attempts to jump on said cat, but misses, instead finding the hateful eyes of Mudclaw glaring at him. The dark brown tabby attempts to fight back, but he is unable to, only able to weakly hit Mudclaw's belly with his hind paws. Brambleclaw prepares for the worst, but without warning, Hawkfrost appears and slashes at his former ally's head. As he gets up from the muddy ground, he finds that his half brother has now pinned Mudclaw to the ground, blue eyes flaming.

Brambleclaw questions Hawkfrost on why he saved him, not letting his gaze leave him while Mudclaw flails around on the ground. He says that he supported Mudclaw during his revolt, and Hawkfrost comments that it's true, but he couldn't let his kin die. Brambleclaw realizes that it now appears as if he supported Onewhisker all along, feeling an odd sense of relief that he isn't the only one to fear that StarClan will not approve. Hawkfrost then mentions that Mudclaw promised him that RiverClan would be left alone if he helped to drive out Onewhisker, and Mudclaw demands for him to tell more of the story, but he dismisses the WindClan tom's claims as lies. He raises his head up in nobility, stating that if he becomes leader, then he will follow the warrior code. Ignoring Mudclaw hissing, Hawkfrost tells Brambleclaw that he did what he thought was right, then asks him if he honestly believes he has doubts about Onewhisker's leadership.

While Brambleclaw hesistates, Mudclaw triumphantly escapes from Hawkfrost and throws him into the reeds. Brambleclaw tries to fight, but Hawkfrost quickly regains himself and attacks the brown tabby WindClan tom, chasing him through the dark night. His half brother follows, but pauses, hearing Squirrelflight call his name. Brambleclaw tries to explain everything to her, but she snaps that Hawkfrost is dangerous. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning illuminates the shape of Mudclaw near the lakeshore, and a loud splintering noise is heard as a tree begins to fall. Mudclaw screeches and attempts to flee, but his efforts are in vain, and the tree crashes down on the ground. Brambleclaw trudges through the swamp, reaching sturdier ground, and the intense storm begins to die off. More cats begin to arrive on the scene, including Onewhisker, who is noticeably injured and exhausted. Everyone approaches the lakeshore, bracing for a battle if Mudclaw comes out alive, but they watch as Hawkfrost drags his body out from under the tree.

Hawkfrost then reveals that he is dead, telling Onewhisker that his leadership is safe, and the soon-to-be WindClan leader replies that Mudclaw was a good warrior once. His somber feelings quickly change to anger as he rounds on the RiverClan tom, and Brambleclaw prepares for what he might do next, but Hawkfrost counters by asking for forgiveness. He states that he thought Mudclaw was right and gathered allies to help him, but StarClan showed their disapproval of the rebellion by using the tree to destroy Mudclaw. Firestar silently wills Onewhisker to solve this on his own, and Brambleclaw glances at his leader, trying to figure out his reaction. Ashfoot examines the fallen tree, determining that it is a sign that Onewhisker will become WindClan's next leader, and he declares that he will gain nine lives while forgiving Hawkfrost for his part in the battle. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost warmly press close to each other; the former reassures his kin that he has nothing to feel guilty about.

Even more cats appear, crowding around Mudclaw, and everyone realizes that the fallen tree has made a bridge to the island, with Brambleclaw adding that it can now be used for Gatherings. He now knows that their final problem with the lake territory has been solve, beginning to bound over to Squirrelflight, but a suspicious stare from her makes him stop. She moves along the lakeshore, and Brambleclaw watches her, concluding that she doesn't trust him because of Hawkfrost, feeling empty inside. He recalls meeting with Tigerstar, questioning why Hawkfrost has to have bad blood and longing to share his win with Squirrelflight. After she fades out of view, Brambleclaw begins to return to camp.

Characters

Major

• Brambleclaw
• Mudclaw
• Hawkfrost

Minor

• Squirrelflight
• Firestar
• Onewhisker
• Ashfoot
• Dustpelt
• Brackenfur
• Mistyfoot
• Tornear

Mentioned

• Leafpool
• Tigerstar

Important events

• Mudclaw dies after a fallen tree crushes him. In the process, the tree creates a bridge that allows for the Clans to hold Gatherings at the island.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter fourteen of Onestar's Confession, and part three of Winds of Change.