Tallstar's Revenge/Chapter 41

"Sometimes StarClan isn't enough. They didn't save Sandgorse."

— Talltail to Heatherstar in Tallstar's Revenge, page 462

Tallstar's Revenge
Chapter number:	41 (of 45)
Page numbers:	447-465
Point of View:	Talltail
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 41 (of 45)

Page Numbers: 447-465

Chapter description

Talltail treks along the gorge with Reedfeather as rain falls steadily. The tom notices the deputy is limping due to an earlier injury. The younger cat notices a thrush ahead of them, and encourages the deputy to help him catch it. Talltail manages to secure the prey, using his forepaws to knock the bird from the sky. Reedfeather compliments his technique, stating than an elder could use it. Talltail states that even a kittypet could use it, recalling Jake's experience hunting. From there, the pair decide to return to camp.

Back at WindClan camp, Talltail notes the lack of apprentices. He spots a few of his Clanmates around the camp, including a group of kits arguing at the Hunting Stones. As he does, he spots Hopkit hurrying from the nursery, who asks Talltail to help him practice his attack crouch. The kit had been trying to learn everything due to his twisted paw. The black-and-white warrior complies with the kit's request and the two head to the Meeting Hollow to practice. Hopkit struggles at first, then succeeds but cuts his paw. Talltail grabs Hopkit by the scruff and drags him to the medicine den, despite his protests.

Barkface notices them first and inspects Hopkit's injury. Talltail asks if its bad, but his friend reassures him that he'll fix the injury up soon. This excites Hopkit who is eager to get back to training, but Barkface tells him that he'll have to wait until its healed. The brown tom asks how it happened and Talltail explains that the rain had washed away the soil, revealing sharp stones. He spares a glance outside of the medicine den and spots Shrewclaw. The black-and-white tom calls out to him, warning him of the sharp stones. Talltail suggests to Shrewclaw to organize a patrol to dig them out, making the other tom question him. Ryestalk nudges Shrewclaw away to clear the hollow, stating that Talltail is right. The two young warriors gather a group just as a returning patrol bursts into camp. Plumclaw and Cloudrunner explain that ShadowClan has left scent markers at Fourtrees. Heatherstar doesn't see a problem at first, but Woollytail adds that the area is drenched in their scent. Heatherstar decides firmly that WindClan is to carry on as normal and to let ShadowClan waste their time with their scent markers.

Hopkit tries to see what is going on, disturbing Barkface's treatment. The medicine cat tells him to hold still. Talltail tells him that Plumclaw's patrol had found ShadowClan scent markers at Fourtrees. Hopkit asks if Heatherstar is going to send a battle patrol, and Talltail replies not yet. Hopkit mutters his wishes to be an apprentice so he could teach ShadowClan a lesson. Barkface warns him that if he doesn't keep still he won't have four paws to do so. Talltail agrees with his friend's statement and helps settle Hopkit after telling the kit that his Clanmate's will need him fit and ready to fight.

The following morning, Talltail leaves his nest, spotting Pigeonkit, and Sorrelkit playing with Palebird's kits at the Hunting Stones. The warrior wonders where Hopkit is, realizing that he must be resting at last in the medicine den. The tom notes that the kit had been insistent on practicing his battle moves every day, despite Barkface's warnings. He had only stopped after a stern warning from Hawkheart and had remained resting since. He is drawn from his thoughts by Doespring, who calls to him from the camp entrance. As he goes to leave, he hears Meadowslip's anxious meow calling for her son. He abandons the patrol, telling Doespring that he'll join the next one as he wants to make sure Hopkit is alright. The tom calls to the worried queen from outside the nursery and she invites him in. The scent of sickness hits him and he tells her to fetch Hawkheart immediately. She does and the medicine cat has them bring Hopkit to his den.

Hawkheart begins to treat his fever and states that the infection in his paw is spreading. Talltail asks where Barkface is, and the older tom states that he is gathering herbs. The warrior offers to fetch him, but Hawkheart states he would be back soon. As he says that, Barkface returns and starts helping immediately. Hawkheart orders Talltail to take Meadowslip away, but she protests she wants to be near her kit. The medicine cat replies she can help more by not being in the way. Barkface comments it is way too hot for all of them to be in here. Talltail feels worried about Hopkit, trying to relieve it by thinking Barkface is in there. Meadowslip asks how is Hopkit, and Barkface replies she can go inside and visit him now. When she was gone, Barkface whispers to Talltail the infection has gone into his blood, and he could die. Talltail asks if there is anything else he can do, but Barkface replies it's leaf-bare, and the herbs are all dried up. The black-and-white tom hears a groan from the medicine den, and meows Hopkit is in pain, asking if he can stop it. Barkface meows Hawkheart is giving him poppy seeds, but they can only ease the pain a little bit.

Talltail meows he was really sick in the Twolegplace, and he had been saved by a Twoleg. Barkface asks how, and Talltail admits he doesn't know, but Hopkit could be healed if he was taken to one. The medicine cat backs away and replies now, making Talltail confused, and he asked why not, as he could carry Hopkit and allow him to be healed. Barkface tells him he was very lucky, but no one knows what will happen to Hopkit. Talltail flinches, telling his friend he only wants to help. Barkface replies he knows, but taking him to a Twoleg to heal isn't the way.

He looks over to the medicine den, but turns away. He sees Whiteberry and Lilywhisker, two elders who were complaining how there were no apprentices. Flailfoot drags out wool, wishing Stagleap would bring back fresh wool. Talltail offers to get some, flinging the old wool away. A flea leaped out of it and bites Talltail's leg. Lilywhisker meows they try to keep the bedding clean, but it's hard to spot fleas with their eyesight. Flamepelt tells her he pulled out a tick from her tail yesterday. Lilywhisker tells him he missed the fleas, who kept her awake all night. Whiteberry tells Flamepelt fleas would be faster than ticks, and Talltail offers to look for them.

Flailfoot asks what's all the fuss about, and Talltail tells him Hopkit is sick. Lilywhisker asks if he has a fever, and Talltail nods, telling her Barkface doesn't know if his herbs will help the sick kit, but was cut off the the medicine cat as he rushes in, telling him he has an idea. Talltail asks what, and Barkface tells him he remembers once when Brambleberry mentioned sedge before, which grows though all leaf-bare. Heatherstar agrees, meowing it can be seen all around RiverClan camp. Barkface adds there is one type that could cure infections, and Brambleberry called it sweet-sedge. He says Brambleberry uses the roots, and might have some in her herb stock. Heatherstar asks how can they get it then, and they can't send a patrol, as RiverClan might take it as a threat. Barkface assures his leader they aren't going to steal it, but he will go to their territory and ask alone, and RiverClan perhaps will listen to him. He meows he's a medicine cat, and it's in the warrior code that you should help a kit, no matter what Clan. Heatherstar asks if he's going alone, and Talltail offers to accompany him.

Heatherstar tells them WindClan doesn't go to other Clans to beg for help, but Talltail asks about Hopkit, as he might die. The leader replies StarClan will help him, but Talltail meows StarClan isn't enough, as they didn't save Sandgorse, and Barkface adds they didn't save Brackenwing either. Heatherstar asks if they are doubting StarClan, but Barkface tells her he will look for something that can help Hopkit, if there is. Talltail adds borders must not get in the way, wondering why the Clans care so much about them, and if a kit's life was more important than that. Heatherstar stares at the elders in silence, and finally Flailfoot and Lilywhisker agree. Whiteberry agrees as well, meowing if Talltail and Barkface are willing to save Hopkit, then they should be honored. The leader agrees, telling them to go now. Talltail races out of camp, and Barkface follows, crying out not to go too fast. The black-and-white tom asks how they are crossing the river, and Barkface frowns, suggesting the possibility of encountering a RiverClan patrol on this side. Talltail meows it is a good plan, thinking he wouldn't like to get wet, hoping a patrol would be passing by. Barkface meows RiverClan camp must be nearby, and Talltail sniffs the air, unable to smell any cats, and tells Barkface they must swim across. The medicine cat asks if he can swim, and Talltail experiments, wading inside the shallow water. Talltail asks if Barkface wants to just wait here, but he jumps in, meowing RiverClan would be less likely to attack if a medicine cat is with him.

Talltail asks if he is swimming, and Barkface tells him his paws are still on the bottom, and Talltail feels hope arise, as the water is shallow. Barkface suddenly disappears under the water but appears soon after, splashing and coughing. Talltail races to his friend calling but he has troubles swimming too, and Barkface tells him he's alright. He struggles to swim, pushing hard with his front paws. Talltail noticed it isn't that far and moments later, he and Barkface are on the shore. Barkface exclaims they made it and Talltail feels cold, and tells his friend to find a patrol and leave, and Barkface's eyes were full of fear and started calling for Talltail. However, he is interrupted by a RiverClan patrol who accuses them of trespassing.

Characters

Major

• Talltail
• Hopkit
• Barkface

Minor

• Reedfeather
• Meadowslip
• Palebird
• Lilywhisker
• Heatherstar
• Aspenfall
• Doespring
• Wrenkit
• Flykit
• Bristlekit
• Rabbitkit
• Shrewclaw
• Ryestalk
• Stagleap
• Appledawn
• Plumclaw
• Woollytail
• Larksplash
• Cloudrunner
• Pigeonkit
• Sorrelkit
• Mistmouse
• Hareflight
• Hawkheart
• Whiteberry
• Flailfoot
• Flamepelt
• Unnamed RiverClan cat

Mentioned

• Jake
• Hickorynose
• Brambleberry
• Sandgorse
• Brackenwing