StormClan's Folly/Chapter 18

"We can't trust you. Nor you, Galestar. Wherever we've roamed, the pair of you have only led us to disaster. You've shown us that you cannot keep our family safe. So may StarClan light your path... but we are StormClan no longer."

— Fernwhisper's final words to Galestar and Stripestar in StormClan's Folly, page 282-283

StormClan's Folly
Chapter number:	18 (of 32)
Page numbers:	264-283
Point of View:	Stripestar
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 18 (of 32)

Page Numbers: 264-283

Chapter description

Stripestar angrily follows Galestar as StormClan leaves the marsh, frustrated that she unilaterally decided that the Clan would travel to the fox-head mountain. He questions his dream once again, wondering if it had been just that, though he realizes that he needs to let go of his anger. The group reaches a quiet Thunderpath, where Stripestar and Galestar decide to keep a lookout for monsters while their Clanmates cross. He catches a mouse on the other side, offering it to Fernwhisper's kits before noticing Galestar watching him with adoration.

He looks up to the mountain, realizing that the Clan only has another day or so to travel, which gives him a renewed burst of energy as he leads his Clan forward. As they approach, Stripestar reassures his Clanmates that no cat would be left behind, though Tinyclaw openly worries about Harewhisker. It reminds Stripestar of what happened to Rosebush and how the ginger tom promised he would be okay before plummeting to his death. Galestar reassures Tinyclaw that everyone will support Harewhisker, and Stripestar adds that the kits will be carried as well.

Approaching Rainkit, Stripestar offers to carry her on his back, though she worries about predators. Stripestar reassures her by asking her to protect him if the need arises, building her confidence as she scrambles onto his back. As the Clan ascends the mountain, Stripestar watches with pride as the cats all help each other, grateful that they are all working together again. Eventually, StormClan reaches a plateau similar in size to Fourtrees, watching as the sun breaks through the clouds in awe. He finds a stream of water nearby, growing more excited at the prospect of building a proper camp on the mountain.

Later, Stripestar goes on a hunting patrol with Palepaw, Swiftwing, and Whitestep, where they wait for a vole to appear. A hawk circles overhead, startling the vole, and Stripestar's patrol attacks the massive creature, successfully killing it. They return to camp with the prey, much to the StormClan cats' delight, where he and Galestar retreat to the stream to talk. Together, they reinforce that they will forever be StormClan cats, having survived their journey to a new home, and Stripestar's worries begin to fade.

Two moons pass, and Stripestar's earlier enthusiasm has faded in the greenleaf heat. He is shocked and dismayed to find that the stream supplying his Clan water has dried up, wishing he was back in ThunderClan's territory as he watches his Clan go hungry. He decides to rally his Clan once more, hoping to catch another hawk, though several cats voice their concern with the idea. Galestar backs his idea, and later in the day, Stripestar leads a patrol up the mountain to hunt. A mouse pokes out, quickly sighted by a hawk that Rainkit also notices, prompting Stripestar to glance down at the camp.

Stripestar watches as Rainkit darts from her den, with Fernwhisper calling her back to safety a moment before the hawk dives and grabs the kit. Fernwhisper fights the hawk for her kit, but is unable to overpower it on her own, and StormClan watches on in horror as the predator disappears with Rainkit in tow.

During Rainkit's vigil, Fernwhisper, Huntheart, and Rainkit's littermates openly grieve the lost kit as Stripestar is consumed by guilt. He recalls Stoneteller's warning, wishing he had listened. Fernwhisper, Huntheart, Lightningkit, and Windkit return the next morning and announce that they have decided to leave and return to the forest, no longer trusting StormClan or its leaders. Neither Galestar nor Stripestar argue with the departing family, and as the four cats stalk away, Stripestar wonders who will be next.

Characters

Major

• Stripestar
• Galestar
• Fernwhisper
• Rainkit

Minor

• Stoneteller
• Lightningkit
• Windkit
• Tinyclaw
• Harewhisker
• Huntheart
• Palepaw
• Swiftwing
• Whitestep
• Whitebreeze
• Spotnose
• Roughpelt
• Nettlesting
• Flash
• Tumbletail
• Berryfall

Mentioned

• Kestrelwing
• Rosebush
• Mudsplash

Important events

• Fernwhisper, Huntheart, Lightningkit, and Windkit leave StormClan to return to the forest.

Deaths

• Rainkit: killed by a hawk.