The Apprentice's Quest/Chapter 15

"I hope StarClan sends me another vision soon, because I really don't know what we're doing here."

— Alderpaw's thoughts after meeting "SkyClan" in The Apprentice's Quest, page 206

The Apprentice's Quest
Chapter number:	15 (of 24)
Page numbers:	192-206
Point of View:	Alderpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter fifteen of The Apprentice's Quest. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 15 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 192-206

Chapter description

Alderpaw wearily leads the way to the gorge, and he sees cats living among the boulders. Needlepaw notices how they do not seem to need help, and he begins doubting if he interpreted his vision correctly. She confidently walks down the gorge, and they follow. A gray tom and three others stop them, and the gray cat coldly snarls at them, assuming they have come to take territory. Alderpaw hesitantly steps forward and explains that they have come to learn about SkyClan. As they walk to the camp, Alderpaw notices how dirty they look, and when the gray tom says he is Rain, he tells himself that SkyClan has different customs. In the camp, the leader, a black-spotted white tom, mockingly asks Rain who they are. Alderpaw is bewildered as he realizes that he does not recognize anyone. He uneasily tells the leader that they are from ThunderClan. Darktail asks if he wants them to go to ThunderClan or if they need help, and panicking, Alderpaw blurts that they are fine and wonders if everything has gone wrong. Darktail replies that he appreciates how far the ThunderClan cats have journeyed, but SkyClan cannot simply abandon their territory. Alderpaw is relieved that Darktail sounds reasonable but then thinks that they cannot turn around when the vision depicted SkyClan as desperate. Needlepaw fearlessly proposes that they stay for a bit, and Darktail agrees. He shivers and wonders why it all feels so wrong.

Alderpaw drinks from a dirty stream, and he sadly remembers Sandstorm. Needlepaw announces that the hunters have returned, and he watches as Darktail and Rain select the best prey. The rest of the cats then rush forward to fight over prey with no regard for the queens or elders. Alderpaw is horrified, and Needlepaw enters the chaos and takes a mouse. Sparkpaw murmurs that it is not fair that some stay hungry, and she, Molewhisker, and Cherryfall walk up to Darktail. She asks why they eat like this when the Clans instead give elders, queens, and kits priority. Darktail is amused when she mentions the warrior code and states that they have their own rules where the strong are rewarded and the sick must fend for themselves. The two cats are on the verge of a fight, and Molewhisker steps between them. Sparkpaw whispers to Alderpaw that they should go home because they do not seem like Clan cats at all. Needlepaw enters and scornfully says that they cannot turn back. Cherryfall agrees with Sparkpaw, and Alderpaw admits that he does not completely know what is happening, but Bramblestar could not have been so wrong. Cherryfall meows that they will try to figure it out first, and he tells himself that StarClan must give more guidance.

Characters

Major

• Alderpaw

Minor

• Needlepaw
• Sparkpaw
• Molewhisker
• Rain
• Cherryfall
• Silt (Unnamed)
• Black tom
• Tabby she-cat
• Darktail
• Two to three skinny elders
• Unnamed queen
• Three tiny kits
• Huge tabby tom

Mentioned

• Sandstorm
• Bramblestar
• Leafstar
• Sharpclaw
• Echosong
• Firestar