Thunder Rising/Chapter 27

"I won't do this. I won't lead Frost to his death. I can't help any of you, but I can help myself and Frost. We're leaving. And neither of us is coming back."

— Thunder about leaving Clear Sky's camp with Frost in Thunder Rising, page 297

Thunder Rising
Chapter number:	27 (of 27)
Page numbers:	288-302
Point of View:	Thunder
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-seven of Thunder Rising. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 27 (of 27)

Page Numbers: 288-302

Chapter description

In Clear Sky's camp, Thunder brings prey for Petal who is feeding Misty's kits, and she tells him that she has named them Birch and Alder. Looking around the idyllic camp, Thunder tries to feel hopeful that Clear Sky will not expand his territory any further but is doubtful; his father has been restless since he returned to the camp the previous day smelling of fox and blood. Fircone and Nettle, two new rogues, ask Thunder to talk to Clear Sky on their behalf, stating that they dislike how things are going, with Clear Sky chasing out and killing cats. The two young toms worry that soon Clear Sky will not listen to any cat and that they will have no choice but to obey their leader's every order.

Thunder speaks with his father, but the older tom immediately guesses that Fircone and Nettle have set Thunder to it. Other cats in camp become interested in what is going on and start to listen to the conversation. Thunder tells his father how well the forest is recovering, hesitantly proposing that their territory does not need to be expanded anymore. Clear Sky addresses his cats, asking if they agree with Thunder, but to Thunder's frustration, his campmates remain silent. The ginger tom continues, asking Clear Sky why they cannot just keep the territory they already have. Clear Sky argues that there are portions of the forest that are still devastated from the fire, ordering Frost to show off his unhealed burn wounds as an example of the fire's destruction. The leader claims that the white tom's injury puts the entire group in danger, as he cannot carry out his regular duties, but Thunder protests that he still contributes; none of his campmates defend Frost, however. Clear Sky suddenly pushes Thunder's muzzle into the rotting wound and asks Thunder if he is willing to clean out Frost's wound. Thunder escapes his father's grasp and points out the leader's hypocrisy in his claim of looking out for every cat's best interest. Finally, Quick Water decides to speak up and asks Clear Sky what Quiet Rain would think of this, but he tells her to leave his mother out of this. Clear Sky apologizes for not making his intentions clearer, then says that Frost must leave before he spreads sickness in the group. He asks Thunder to leave Frost at the border, though Thunder argues that Clear Sky wants to abandon Frost to his death. Frost desperately pleads for his life. Thunder considers returning to be with Gray Wing but he is not sure if they will welcome him after he stood by when Wind Runner was chased off and when Misty was killed.

Right as Thunder refuses his father's orders and says that he and Frost are both leaving, a fox enters the camp. Clear Sky blames Thunder for attracting a fox to camp with his noise and shoves Thunder off the stump, where he falls into the path of the fox, leaving the ginger tom to wonder if he did that purposefully. Thunder, Leaf, and Falling Feather quickly drive the fox away. None of his campmates meet Thunder's eyes, and Falling Feather offers to escort Thunder and Frost to the border, just in case the fox lingers around. As they walk away, Frost questions Thunder why he would stick up for him despite their past, though Thunder reasons that he does not want to see Frost die. Frost is unconvinced that his wound is unlikely to heal, but Thunder claims that there are cats on the moor who know how to heal. Falling Feather almost wishes she was coming with them, and Thunder offers to let her join them, but she refuses, stating that the forest is her home. As they prepare to cross the moor, Thunder spots his father watching from the shadows of the trees. He reflects on how he failed to fit into his father's group, and whatever bond they once shared is now gone. He determines to find Gray Wing and apologize to the older tom, explaining everything. Frost tells Thunder to wait for him, and the ginger tom looks across the moor, to where the other cats' camp is and where hope will be.

Characters

Major

• Thunder

Minor

• Petal
• Alder
• Birch
• Quick Water
• Falling Feather
• Frost
• Clear Sky
• Fircone
• Nettle
• Leaf

Mentioned

• Misty
• Gray Wing
• Quiet Rain
• Hawk Swoop
• Wind Runner

Important events

• Thunder leaves Clear Sky's camp, along with Frost.