The Place of No Stars (book)/Chapter 8

"You don't need to say you're sorry, I just want to make sure you understand what the risks are. Brokenstar left my son in the Dark Forest to rot. If you die in the Dark Forest, you die in real life. Your loved ones will never see you again. Do you comprehend that? I know some cats in ShadowClan don't trust you, but I believe you are a good cat, Shadowsight. Don't make Tigerstar and Dovewing suffer as I have."

— Icewing to Shadowsight in The Place of No Stars, pages 97-98

The Place of No Stars (book)
Chapter number:	8 (of 23)
Page numbers:	94-107
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter eight 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: 8 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 94-107

Chapter description

Shadowsight gathers elder leaves as he recalls what had happened at the Moonpool to Willowshine. He shudders, recalling that Rootspring had seen her attempt to re-enter her body before being dragged under the water. In his heart, he knows some cat needs to enter the Dark Forest and also knows that the first attempt should have been him. He wonders if it was his fault that Willowshine died as the questions pile up in his mind. As he bundles his herbs, Tigerstar and Dovewing appear, both glad to see him out of camp. Tigerstar reassures his son that there is no sign of Ashfur, noting that he and Dovewing had been patrolling and checking borders. Dovewing comments that him returning to medicine cat duties would mean his Clanmates would begin trusting him again. Shadowsight is confused as he states that he is still a prisoner within ShadowClan and that the only trust is for him not to run away. He glances behind him towards Puddleshine and Mothwing, voicing his concerns about their hovering, questioning what they might worry about. Tigerstar reassures his son that he isn't to blame for Willowshine's death and states that despite how wrong it may sound, he is glad that he wasn't the one to venture to the Dark Forest first. Dovewing agrees with the notion as Shadowsight thanks them and is once again left with his thoughts. The tom spends the day doing apprentice duties while Puddleshine and Mothwing continue to watch him.

Late afternoon roles around as Shadowsight remains in the medicine den. There, he is startled by Icewing, who asks him to check her teeth for a bone. Without question, he looks for her, knowing she must be used to fish from RiverClan. He manages to dislodge the bone shard and the white warrior thanks him, but lingers as he asks her if there is anything else he can do. Icewing mentions she had heard rumors about the previous night at the Moonpool, about how he had volunteered to go to the Dark Forest. She tells him about her son Beetlewhisker and how he had been killed in the Dark Forest by Brokenstar. Icewing explains that because he had died there, they couldn't mourn him in RiverClan and that she wouldn't wish the pain it brought to her upon any other cat, such as Tigerstar or Dovewing. The white warrior thanks him and departs, leaving the young tom with questions buzzing in his mind. Later on, Shadowsight settles in for the night, but expects himself to get little sleep as he is kept awake by the need to right his wrongs. He thinks about what had happened to Willowshine, noting what went wrong and thinking perhaps that the way she approached entering the Dark Forest was the dangerous aspect. He notes that if he doesn't call out to any spirits, he might be safer.

In the quiet of the medicine den, Shadowsight focuses to attempt entering the Dark Forest. His thoughts center on Ashfur as he pictures the tom's form and voice. He prepares himself mentally to face his antagoniser, but instead finds himself swamped by a fog-like feeling. A part of him wishes to flee, but after a pause, the fog begins to clear and Shadowsight is greeted with the sight of the desolate forest of the evil spirits. With a shudder he finds the place more intimidating than when he had first visited. As he starts moving around, he loses focus and feels himself back in his nest in ShadowClan camp. He shakes away his fear and again turns his thoughts to Ashfur, feeling a tiny sense of fury at his first attempt. He recalls Jayfeather's warning of the forest turning good-hearted cats bad and he wonders if it would turn him into a cat like Ashfur. The train of thoughts throw off his focus as he is overwhelmed with fear, unsure of where it is all coming from. He comes to back in the medicine den, the transition between realms sudden. The tom realizes the fear had to have been Squirrelflight's and with that he knows he has to speak with Tigerstar. Shadowsight wakes up Puddleshine and Mothwing, asking for them to take him to Tigerstar and Dovewing, much to both cats' annoyance.

Within Tigerstar's den, Shadowsight explains to his parents what he had figured out about the Dark Forest. Dovewing, however, remains concerned for her son because of Willowshine's death. Shadowsight, however, remains adament that he can protect himself from Ashfur due to understanding him. Tigerstar though doesn't believe it and initially doesn't allow his son to try his plan. But, Shadowsight manages to convince his father and the tabby leader allows him to proceed with his plan within the safety of ShadowClan camp. The younger tom states that he has to do it at the Moonpool, as the connection there to the Dark Forest is stronger, but Tigerstar forbids it. The medicine cats soon leave Tigerstar's den as Puddleshine tries to cheer him up, but Shadowsight remains unsatisfied. He waits in his nest, unsettled for the duration, before deciding to sneak out to the Moonpool to proceed with his plan. As he does, he accidently steps on a thorn and wakes Mothwing up. The golden she-cat tries to persuade him not to go through with his plan, but with him remaining stubborn, she decides to follow him. She reasons that if she follows him, he won't get in as much trouble and if something happens while he's dreaming, she can wake him up. Shadowsight thanks him as he follows her out of camp, feeling certain that his plan will work.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight

Minor

• Tigerstar
• Dovewing
• Puddleshine
• Mothwing
• Icewing

Mentioned

• Willowshine
• Rootspring
• Ashfur
• Harelight
• Mistystar
• Squirrelflight
• Beetlewhisker
• Brokenstar
• Bramblestar
• Harestar
• Jayfeather