The Place of No Stars (book)/Chapter 21

"Well, I see now that Dovewing and I have to take a step back. Pouncestep and Lightleap are warriors now, and we have to accept that they might be badly injured in battle - or even killed. [...] So I guess the same goes for medicine cats, too. Your battles aren't the same, but you still have to take risks for your Clan."

— Tigerstar to Shadowsight about his battles in The Place of No Stars, page 253

The Place of No Stars (book)
Chapter number:	21 (of 23)
Page numbers:	249-256
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-one of The Place of No Stars (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 21 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 249-256

Chapter description

Shadowsight is waiting with the other Clan cats as the Sisters finish their discussion, and Snow is the first to address him. She explains that their sister Moonlight is there with them and is happy to see them all working together. Tigerstar prods them to get started on their ceremony, but Snow states they cannot begin until sunset. Until then, she mentions Flurry has torn her pad, asking if Shadowsight can help her. The young medicine cat quickly agrees before his father can say anything and asks for Tigerstar to accompany him. The ShadowClan leader pretends to reluctantly agree, but Shadowsight notices he seems secretly pleased.

Later, Shadowsight and his father head across the moor to look for healing herbs, and the young tom has a chance to ask Tigerstar what's wrong. The ShadowClan leader confesses he's afraid of losing his son after what happened to him in the Dark Forest. Shadowsight explains he has a strong sense of duty to the survival of the CLans now, and that he won't turn his back on them. Tigerstar admits he's had to accept that Shadowsight's littermates, who are warriors, could be injured or even killed in battle, and now he understands that though his son's battles may not be the same, he is still taking necessary risks. He apologizes for losing his temper with the Sisters, telling Shadowsight that he's proud of him. Flustered, the young medicine cat accepts his apology while stumbling upon some chervil. Soon, they're on their way back to the Moonpool.

The pair of them encounter Mothwing just outside the Moonpool's hollow, and Tigerstar takes the opportunity to insist to her that Shadowsight will not be going back to the Dark Forest alone. Shadowsight reminds him that Bristlefrost will be accompanying him, and that she'll do any fighting that needs to be done. Tigerstar states that he still doesn't like it, but he recognizes that he has to accept that his son is special and may have a destiny beyond just himself or his Clan. However, he admits he's still afraid for Shadowsight, even as he reiterates that he loves and trusts him. Tigerstar then asks Shadowsight to promise him to return, and Shadowsight promises - all the while hoping that he will be able to keep it. As the sun sets, the Sisters rise to their paws, ready to begin the ceremony, and all the Clan cats present fix their attention on them.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight
• Tigerstar

Minor

• Bristlefrost
• Snow
• Flurry
• Mothwing

Mentioned

• Moonlight
• Dovewing
• Rootspring
• Pouncestep
• Lightleap
• Tawnypelt