Tallstar's Revenge/Chapter 24

"I choose my own destiny. Nothing can stop me—not even StarClan."

— Talltail in Tallstar's Revenge, page 273

Tallstar's Revenge
Chapter number:	24 (of 45)
Page numbers:	263-273
Point of View:	Talltail
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-four of Tallstar's Revenge. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 24 (of 45)

Page Numbers: 263-273

Chapter description

Woollytail paces anxiously outside the nursery as the Clan waits for Palebird's kits to be born. Talltail leaves his nest, too restless to sleep, and runs into Pigeonkit, Sorrelkit, and Hopkit who are watching from the elders' den. They ask if the kits have arrived, and Talltail mutters that it'll take time. Meadowslip quietly reminds him that Palebird is tougher than he thinks, and he looks up to Silverpelt, silently wondering if they'd let her lose more kits. Hopkit, Pigeonkit, and Sorrelkit start to excitedly discuss the games they'll teach the new litter, happy that they won't be the youngest anymore. He remembers Sandgorse trying to teach him to dig, wondering if his kithood and life would've been different if he hadn't been spooked. Ryestalk climbs out of her nest, sitting next to Talltail and telling him about the time that Stagleap picked him up and put him outside the den so they could sleep, but Sandgorse scolded him for it afterwards. She reminds Talltail that Palebird is lucky to have two medicine cats looking after her, her eyes lighting up as the first kit begins to squeal.

Once the kits are born, Woollytail invites Talltail to meet his new siblings. Palebird frets, worried about caring for four kits, and Talltail asks if they've been named. Woollytail tells him that Palebird is too tired to do it now as the smallest kit tries to climb out of the nest. Talltail gently nudges him back towards her belly, but his mother snaps at him to not hurt the kit. Stung, he pulls away, quietly retreating from the den. Barkpaw, who was waiting outside, joins Talltail to go for a walk, and they wander towards the Outlook Rock to watch the sun rise over Highstones. Talltail sadly tells him that he feels like he has no use to the Clan anymore, now that Palebird has a new family, and the tunnels are forbidden. When Barkpaw questions him, Talltail tells him that he feels like he needs to find Sparrow, asking if his destiny lies beyond the Clans. Barkpaw tells him he just feels differently due to his new siblings, and as he returns to camp, Talltail lingers, wondering if he should wait for his ancestors to decide his path for him before deciding to choose his own destiny.

Characters

Major

• Talltail

Minor

• Stagleap
• Cloudrunner
• Appledawn
• Redclaw
• Larksplash
• Dawnstripe
• Woollytail
• Hickorynose
• Mistmouse
• Plumclaw
• Hawkheart
• Hopkit
• Pigeonkit
• Sorrelkit
• Meadowslip
• Palebird
• Lilywhisker
• Barkpaw
• Ryestalk
• Wrenkit (Unnamed)
• Rabbitkit (Unnamed)
• Flykit (Unnamed)
• Bristlekit (Unnamed)

Mentioned

• Sparrow
• Sandgorse
• Finchkit

Important events

Births

Wrenkit, Rabbitkit, Flykit, and Bristlekit: born to Woollytail and Palebird.