Winds of Change/Part 1

"Whatever I have to do to secure the future of my Clan—build a new home in this strange, unfamiliar place? Defend against any threats to our safety? Whatever it takes...I'll do it. What gets decided now—how the new territories are divided—will affect all four Clans for generations to come. WindClan needs to remember. And I can tell, just from looking at the tired, hungry cats around me...journey or not, other Clans...Can't. Be. Trusted."

— Mudclaw reflecting about the Clans' arrival at their new home in Winds of Change, pages 11-12

Winds of Change
Chapter number:	1 (of 3)
Page numbers:	1-66
Point of View:	Mudclaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter one of Winds of Change. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 1 (of 3)

Page Numbers: 1-66

Chapter description

The Great Journey has ended with the Clans' arrival at the lake. Mudclaw, deputy of WindClan, reflects on the arduous journey the Clans suffered through, beginning with the destruction of their former home by Twolegs, to crossing the mountains, and the Clans working together to survive. Mudclaw is more resolved than ever to secure his Clan's future, and with Tallstar's declining health, potentially leadership in the near future. Tallstar, weak from the hard journey, has Mudclaw represent WindClan at the first meeting of the Clans to discuss the new territories, though his leader reminds Mudclaw that the other Clans are not WindClan's enemies. Mudclaw disagrees, insisting that the other Clans must respect WindClan and the Clan quickly needs to claim its place in the new territories. Mudclaw eventually obliges, and encourages Barkface to look over Tallstar's weakness, but the medicine cat insists he can't do much during leaf-bare in the unfamiliar lands.

At the meeting, Mudclaw interrupts Firestar by dividing the lands, when Onewhisker calls out Mudclaw for overstepping Tallstar. Firestar silences the argument by explaining that Mudclaw is merely doing his duty as deputy, though Mudclaw wonders why Firestar is concerned with it. After the meeting, Mudclaw tells his warriors to stay away from the other Clans, and ponders why Onewhisker challenged him at the meeting. Onewhisker offers to catch a squirrel for Tallstar in hopes of giving him some strength, but both warriors share their concerns that Tallstar is dying. At the next meeting, the Clan leaders send Brambleclaw, Crowfeather, Tawnypelt, and Mistyfoot to scout the new territory. Before they leave, Mudclaw pulls Crowfeather aside to remind him that his friendship with the other cats is over and his duty is to WindClan.

Tallstar witnesses this exchange, and beckons Mudclaw over. He once again encourages continued peace and unity between the Clans that fostered during the Great Journey, particularly with ThunderClan. Mudclaw insists ThunderClan has continuously walked over WindClan, and leaves with a huff. Tallstar beckons Onewhisker over, as Mudclaw hunts with Webfoot, his former apprentice, and Tornear, his brother. Mudclaw reflects who he should choose as his deputy and his future plans for the Clan. As the three eat, the scouting patrol returns with news of bountiful lands for all four Clans. Mudclaw pulls Crowfeather aside to privately ask about their new territory, and Crowfeather explains how he found a perfect spot for WindClan's camp and they'll be sharing borders with RiverClan and ThunderClan. That night, Mudclaw and Tornear overhear Mistyfoot snarl at Hawkfrost for overstepping, and the littermates reflect how there might be trouble in RiverClan and ThunderClan with both Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw, sons of Tigerstar, poised for leadership.

Mudclaw wakes to anguished cries of cats mourning Tallstar's death, and he hurries to the leaders' stump, surprised that no cat informed him first. As Firestar tries to calm the crowd, Webfoot and others welcome Mudclaw as their leader. However, Firestar announces that Tallstar named Onewhisker his deputy before he passed. Onewhisker offers for Mudclaw to continue his deputy position, but Mudclaw verbally lashed out in anger. He questions how odd it is for Firestar, Onewhisker's friend, to announce his leadership, and demands to know if any other cat knew about it. Brambleclaw steps forward to confirm their story, but Mudclaw accuses Brambleclaw of wanting to become deputy in quid pro quo. Crowfeather trusts Brambleclaw, much to Mudclaw's displeasure. He challenges Onewhisker to fight for the Clan's leadership until Barkface stops them, citing that Tallstar's spirit is still watching. Mudclaw angrily stands down, dismissing Onewhisker's offer to remain as deputy. As Mudclaw and the others bring out Tallstar's body for his vigil, Mudclaw questions what he did wrong. Tornear insists that Onewhisker wouldn't lie about any of it, but Mudclaw remains furiously silent.

Characters

Major

• Mudclaw

Minor

• Tallstar
• Onewhisker
• Firestar
• Blackstar
• Leopardstar
• Darkfoot (Unnamed)
• Morningflower (Unnamed)
• Barkface
• Squirrelpaw (Unnamed)
• Mistyfoot
• Crowfeather
• Weaselpaw (Unnamed)
• Tornear
• Webfoot
• Brambleclaw
• Tawnypelt
• Hawkfrost
• Ashfoot (Unnamed)
• Owlpaw (Unnamed)

Mentioned

• Twolegs (Flashback only)
• Marshkit (Flashback only)
• Brackenfur (Flashback only; unnamed)
• Graystripe
• Tigerstar

Errors

• Onewhisker is mistakenly depicted with the scar behind his ear, despite not receiving it until he is Onestar.
• The Clan leaders hold a separate meeting to send out a preliminary scouting patrol to scope out the new territories, but in Starlight, it is the same first meeting when Onewhisker interrupts Mudclaw.
• Squirrelflight is not shown in the scouting patrol, despite partaking in it after her warrior ceremony.
• Hawkfrost is depicted with a white muzzle, chest, belly, and paws.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter one through chapter seven of Starlight, and chapter thirteen and chapter fourteen of Onestar's Confession.

Notes and references

Winds of Change chapters
Part1 • Part2 • Part3