I have Wind! [HEAVY SPOILERS]

Frostpaw wakes up in the medicine den. It's been a quarter moon since Frostpaw has been taken in by ShadowClan. She thinks about how strange it is to no longer be a part of RiverClan, missing the familiar territory and all the cats she's known since birth. She's grateful to Tigerstar for taking her in, and that Puddleshine and Shadowsight were friendly enough, but the ShadowClan warriors were wary and kept their distance from her.

Shadowsight is meddling with herbs, but sees she's awake and asks how she is. Frostpaw realizes she must look unhappy, and admits she's just homesick. Shadowsight says he understands, and he hopes she can go back soon. Frostpaw says she doesn't know if she can since RiverClan didn't believe her about Splashtail. Shadowsight says he gets it, since nobody believed him when it came to Ashfur and he no longer received visions from StarClan. Frostpaw then feels bad since Shadowsight has clearly had it worse than how she's feeling right now. Shadowsight invites her to share some prey, which Frostpaw tries to protest at, but he insists otherwise. As they exit the den, Frostpaw thinks that she's actually grown to enjoy the taste of frog. Before either can eat, however, Tigerstar emerges from his den and calls a Clan meeting.

Tigerstar says that since Berryheart tried to depose him, she must have believed she had enough support to do it. He says that he's not going to demand oaths of loyalty from any cat, but he wants the Clan to be honest and discuss their grievances with him. No cat speaks up, looking at each other awkwardly. Frostpaw thinks that even though he's inviting criticisms, Tigerstar isn't the most approachable cat. She then thinks that she appreciates him taking her in, but his meddling in RiverClan affairs is the most obvious answer. She answers when everybody still remains silent, and tells him that that maybe some cats have an issue with him deciding to take over RiverClan since it wasn't great for either Clan. Grassheart and Gullswoop agree with Frostpaw.

Tigerstar lets out a long sigh and says that the strong line he took with RiverClan was a mistake, but he had good intentions. He wasn't trying to conquer RiverClan, but wanted to keep them from falling apart since, as they've all learned from "the Ashfur disaster", when one Clan suffers, sooner or later, all of them do. ShadowClan still seems uncertain, and so Tigerstar continues. He says that he doesn't want to be surprised trying to depose him, but if there's issues, they should take it up with him in their camp and not at the gathering, to prevent ShadowClan looking divided and weak. He finishes that, if cats do not believe he has their best interests or they're unsatisfied with his leadership, then he'll step down. Lightleap lets out an indignant yowl when Tigerstar mentions stepping down. Frostpaw thinks that she can't see Tigerstar voluntarily giving up power, though knows it wouldn't be good for the Clan either.

Cloverfoot says she wants him as leader, but wants him to listen to his Clanmates more. The ShadowClan cats murmur approval. Tigerstar thanks her, and says that they can now work on making ShadowClan as strong as it can be, and ends the meeting. Tigerstar then beckons Frostpaw to speak with him, and sternly tells her that he did her a favour by taking her in, and asks why she's repaying it with questioning him in front of his own warriors. Frostpaw says what he did to RiverClan affected her Clan more than it did his, and while she appreciates him giving her shelter, that won't make her hold her tongue, as she believes honesty will save RiverClan. Tigerstar laughs and says she's clearly not the timid young apprentice she was moons ago. Frostpaw says a lot has happened since then, and then asks him if she can go see what is going on in RiverClan. Tigerstar is unsure, and Frostpaw adds that they aren't sure if Splashtail even has his nine lives. If he hasn't gotten them, they need to figure out why.

Tigerstar agrees, asking if StarClan rejected him. He adds that he won't stop her, but he won't protect her if she plans on going into territories she's banned from, nor is she allowed to bring ShadowClan cats with her, and she's on her own. Frostpaw thanks him, saying she won't get ShadowClan in trouble, and heads off to RiverClan territory.

Making sure she's downwind, Frostpaw spies on RiverClan's camp, spotting warriors training for battle. Splashtail walks among them, yowling and belittling Lizardtail, Shimmerpelt, and Mallownose. Sneezecloud stops and asks why they're even training, since no Clan is threatening them now. Splashtail asks him if he wants ShadowClan to come back to invade and humiliate them, reminding him that he has new kits to protect soon. Sneezecloud is surprised to be challenged by his own son, but admits he doesn't want that. Splashtail calls the Clan a bunch of mice, and reveals that he plans to invade ShadowClan as revenge for their conquest.

Nightsky yowls agreement, saying they'll shred them. Splashtail says that RiverClan won't be as great as it was under Mistystar, they'll be greater. Frostpaw wonders if he means means solely to invade ShadowClan, or to expand RiverClan territory. She knows Splashtail has bad intentions, but not when he'll act on them. Duskfur then shakes off Brackenpelt, who was pinning her down, and tells Splashtail that once he gets his nine lives and officially becomes leader, ShadowClan won't dare to invade again, though Frostpaw notices the annoyance in Duskfur's voice when speaking to Splashtail. Splashtail approaches Duskfur, and Frostpaw sees a murderous look in his eyes as he says StarClan's opinions don't matter, and Tigerstar's conquest was simply ShadowClan's greed and ambition, not a genuine desire to help. What matters most is to hone their battle skills and make sure no Clan attempts to control them again.

Frostpaw is surprised when Splashtail says that StarClan doesn't matter, when clearly they do. She thinks about what Riverstar told her, that StarClan would never support Splashtail, and if RiverClan knew that, he wouldn't have their support. She grows uneasy when she thinks about a Clan without StarClan, since Podlight would be unable to contact them and Splashtail would refuse to. She wonders why he wants to become Splashstar so badly that he'll kill for it.

She feels some cat's gaze resting on her, and spots Mothwing across the camp, staring directly at her. She expects Mothwing to yowl a warning, but Mothwing gestures for Frostpaw to follow her further downstream. When they meet up, Mothwing calls Frostpaw a mouse brain and asks if she wants to get caught, though sees Mothwing is angry only out of concern, not out of fear of Splashtail. Frostpaw says Splashtail is a killer, and a threat to the Clan. Mothwing says she believes her, but it's important for her to keep Splashtail happy right now. Especially since Podlight is a long way from being able to treat his Clanmates. Frostpaw asks Mothwing if there's anything she can do. Mothwing says she's trying to sow doubt, since it is strange that Splashtail isn't keen on getting his nine lives, and even though she isn't StarClan's biggest supporter, she knows it's important for a leader to get nine lives. Frostpaw mentions Duskfur, Icewing, and her littermates as potential cats to tell. Mothwing disagrees, since while Duskfur and Icewing aren't overly fond of Splashtail, and Graypaw and Mistpaw weren't happy to learn the truth of their mother, it isn't enough since most cats are happy to just have a leader for once. Splashtail will go to the Moonpool when the time is right, and no cat is pushing him about it.

Frostpaw insists Mothwing can just make him leave, since she's a medicine cat. Mothwing says she can't, and if she goes too far, then she'll be exiled like Frostpaw was and she isn't willing to leave the Clan in the paws of Podlight, who can't be bothered to even learn the names of herbs, let alone what they do. Frostpaw says eventually Splashtail must go to get nine lives, and he can't put it off forever. Mothing concedes her point, but says she saw how the first Tigerstar led ShadowClan (Mothwing wasn't even born though lol) and while she's not sure how things will go, she's afraid things will end in blood.

Oh, the nostalgia! Also, Wasp and Waffle are adorable!

Good to see Nightheart likeing being Firestar’s kin. I can’t help but wonder if he eventually does retake the name Flameheart from book 1.

Same energy! But seriously, this is still Squirrelstar. It's not surprising.

At the medicine cat meeting, Puddleshine and Shadowsight agree to take Frostpaw with them, though reluctantly. Puddleshine is concerned with how the other medicine cats will take it, but Shadowsight is friendly with her and they two seem to be friends? Anyway, Puddleshine declines it, but Frostpaw says she'll come of her own accord since she's technically of no Clan, therefore Puddleshine isn't responsible for her, which seems to sway him.

At the meeting, Mothwing and Podlight don't show up. Alderheart seems to be uneasy about Frostpaw being there, but Shadowsight and/or Puddleshine defend her. Whistlepaw doesn't come with Kestrelflight, which makes Frostpaw believe that she's being punished for helping her. Moth and Pod finally come, and Jayfeather makes an abrasive remark about switching medicine cats again. Mothwing says he'll have to get used to it, but Jayfeather says it's quite strange and rather convenient that Podlight suddenly started receiving visions out of nowhere and appointing the cat that was well known to want leadership. Alderheart asks about Podlight's visions. Podlight says he got a vision of where to find marigold after Duskfur needed it, and he also had a vision of some twolegs dumping shiny things at the lakeshore. The medicine cats believe him, but Podlight says the one they should be questioning is Frostpaw since she's lied about her visions before.

Frostpaw says she was manipulated by her mother, but Podlight gets angry and says she's responsible for her own bad decisions. Frostpaw says she had a vision of Splashtail killing Reedwhisker, and she spoke to Riverstar. Everyone is awkwardly comprehending Frostpaw's claims, while Mothwing defends Splashtail and says he would never murder a cat since he is "chosen by StarClan". Fidgetflake asks if Podlight believes Splashtail is the right cat for leadership, and Podlight says he does. Podlight says that Frostpaw caused a lot of problems for RC when Mistystar died, and she's proven herself to be a liar. Alderheart asks why she would lie, and Podlight says he doesn't know, but she says Frostpaw has been through a lot in her life, such as witnessing her mother dying and living in exile.

Frostpaw forces herself to remain silent at Podlight's feigned sympathy, and she realizes that Podlight sounds like how Splashtail would talk, and figures Splashtail gave him instructions on how to deal with Frostpaw if she showed up there. Podlight continues, saying that Frostpaw clearly can't distinguish what is real anymore, and while there was a bad cat who sought leadership, he says Curlfeather is dead, and he's ashamed to be her littermate. He says how she became a ruthless killer, they'll never know. Frostpaw restrains herself from attacking him, but knows if it was just the two of them, she's attack him, thinking that both she and Curlfeather are ruthless.

Kestrelflight, annoyed, asks why they're debating it, and they ought to ask StarClan since they'll know the truth as opposed to Splash and Pod vs Frost. If StarClan doesn't object, then the matter is settled and RiverClan can get back to full strength.

Jayfeather says he wishes he could agree, but Splashtail isn't a proper leader until he's legitimized in the eyes of StarClan, and asks if Splashtail has his lives. Podlight awkwardly says he does not. Kestrelflight, angry now, yowls that "RiverClan's whole problem has been that hasn't had a leader chosen by StarClan! Isn't that right? And Podlight thinks he found the right leader, and he hasn't brought him to the Moonpool to get his nine lives?!"

Podlight defensively says Splashtail is more concerned with strengthening the Clan. Frecklewish retorts that that excuse doesn't work, since having a legitimate leader is strengthening the Clan. Podlight is at a loss for words, but then tries to say it's been overcast and he wan't to be 100% sure that Splashtail would meet StarClan. Jayfeather, losing his patience, lashes his tail and says it's been several clear nights since the gathering and demands to know how clear Podlight wants it, since StarClan still appears even with a single cloud in the sky. Frostpaw feels satisfaction as the senior medicine cats are clearly losing their temper with Podlight, and perhaps it will lead to Splashtail's undoing as leader.


Frostpaw realizes that it might be why Mothwing is so quiet. Mothwing knows Splashtail is afraid of what StarClan will say, so he doesn't intend to let them say anything at all. Alderheart demands that Podlight take Splashtail to the Moonpool immediately. Frecklewish warns Podlight that Leafstar will change her stance on Splashtail's leadership if he refuses to go, or if he's not accepted by StarClan.

Jayfeather says that it's the whole problem, and clearly either Podlight or Frostpaw are lying, and he's willing to bet it's Podlight. Frostpaw says she's the real RC medicine cat, and the reason Splashtail isn't here is because he knows StarClan will reject him. Podlight says she's no longer RC, which Mothwing backs him up on and she intends introduce Podlight as her new apprentice to StarClan. Mothwing does a small ceremony, asking StarClan to recognize Podlight as her new apprentice. StarClan remains silent, and none of the medicine cats cheer Podlight's name, which makes Frostpaw think that they all have their doubts that his intentions are genuine.

Puddleshine tells Podlight to go get Splashtail so he can get his lives. Jayfeather says if Splashtail doesn't, then he's assuming he's a fraud. All the other medicine cats, barring Mothwing, agree with Jayfeather. Podlight reluctantly agrees and says he'll compromise and talk to Splashtail as soon as he can. As the medicine cats speak to StarClan, Frostpaw has a vision about a river being swallowed up by the earth and covered in shadows and darkness. When they're done, she informs the others, and Podlight and Mothwing dismiss it as more lies. Alderheart says they should take it seriously, which Shadowsight agrees with, since it seems like it could mean RC could disappear forever. Frecklewish says that since the river fell into the shadows, it could mean that ShadowClan is responsible. Puddleshine says that ShadowClan isn't even occupying RC territory anymore. Frecklewish says perhaps the shadow is in reference to Frostpaw, since Tigerstar gave her refuge in ShadowClan.

Jayfeather disagrees and says it's stupid to believe that Frostpaw would cause problems for her own Clan. Alderheart agrees with him. Kestrelflight doesn't doubt Frostpaw, but he points out that StarClan didn't seem to reject Podlight either. Shadowsight says that he's spent enough time with Frostpaw to know she has a gift. Fidgetflake says that Shadowsight himself doesn't even have a connection to StarClan, to which Shadowsight says it doesn't mean he can't recognize someone who does. Jayfeather asks for Puddleshine's opinion, and Puddleshine says he isn't sure, and says just to wait for a definitive sign from StarClan before he voices his opinion, and suggests they all do the same. Frostpaw figures that StarClan won't accept a false leader and medicine cat. Mothwing says she'll strongly suggest coming to the Moonpool to Splashtail when the night is clear, and all of RiverClan's problems will go away.

Medicine cat meeting time!

So glad to read that Shadowsight and Frostpaw are considered friends <3 Although I still also want to see more actual interactions between them.

It's honestly kinda sad that Podlight is behaving this way towards his own niece. But hey, he's technically an evil medicine cat, which parts of the fandom has wanted for years so I'll take it. Maybe he'll redeem himself or get worse. Either way is fine by me at this point, honestly.

Love that Kestrelflight is getting some good lines as well as Jayfeather being his usual grouchy self.

It does seem like the other medicine cats are moreso on Frostpaw's side which is a relief.  Mothwing is playing double agent here like she said she would since she needs to keep Splashtail happy for now.

Nightheart is on guard waiting for Alderheart and Jayfeather as Sunbeam roots through their herb store. Nightheart spots the two of them arriving from gathering herbs, and warns Sunbeam. She orders him to stall them. Nightheart skids up to them, uneased by how Jayfeather seems to just stare through him, and stammers he's worried about Frostpaw, and asks how she's doing since she was at the half-moon meeting. Jayfeather seems surprised Nightheart asked a sensible question, and says he wouldn't worry since she's a strong young cat, and she has to be, since all she's been through would have destroyed a weaker cat. He then turns his attention to Squirrelstar's den, and orders Alderheart to follow him, laying their herbs at the entrance of the medicine den. Nightheart slinks after them, hoping to remain unseen.

Jayfeather tells Squirrelstar that he believes Frostpaw, and something must be done about Splashtail. Alderheart agrees, and Splashtail could do something dangerous. Squirrelstar, exasperated, says she agrees Frostpaw is telling the truth but she doesn't want to get involved since it's up to RiverClan to resolve it for themselves, otherwise it will cause problems. Jayfeather, annoyed, says the whole point of her becoming leader was so ThunderClan would have a more decisive leader than Brambleclaw, and she clearly isn't. Nightheart imagines Squirrelstar with an icy green glare at Jayfeather, but she instead says that Jayfeather is entitled to his opinion but she's the one with the -star suffix, and while she understands his concern, she doesn't want to make the issue worse now considering Splashtail is at least elected by RiverClan, and Tigerstar has removed himself from it. Jayfeather is heavily disapproving, but says it's her choice.

Jayfeather and Alderheart leave, and Nightheart sneaks back to the den entrance and asks to speak with her. Squirrelstar asks if it's about Frostpaw, and Nightheart says he's worried about her. Squirrelstar says she'd like to talk to Frostpaw herself, and says Nightheart can come with her. As they begin to leave, he spots Sunbeam innocently washing her paws to the side of the warriors' den, and he assumes she got what she needed. Nightheart goes to tell Wasp and Waffle he'll be back soon. Waffle is fine with it, while Wasp is uncertain. Squirrelstar puts Ivypool in charge of the camp.

Later, Squirrelstar and Nightheart are heading into the ShadowClan camp, following the patrol of Hopwhisker, Yarrowleaf, and Lightleap, feeling awkward encountering Sunbeam's best friend and knowing Lightleap tried to eject him from ShadowClan before. He awkwardly thinks about his time in ShadowClan, and how he ended up taking Sunbeam with him. As they enter the camp, Tigerstar emerges from his den and gives Squirrelstar a polite nod, asking what he can do for her. Squirrelstar asks to speak to Frostpaw, and Tigerstar says he's glad to see he's not the only leader taking the matter seriously and orders Lightleap to go and fetch Frostpaw.

Squirrelstar asks how Frostpaw is fitting in. Tigerstar says she's a fine medicine cat, though with the troubling news she gave him from RiverClan, he's thinking that ShadowClan may not be a temporary home for long. He explains that Splashtail plans to take revenge for his occupation of RiverClan. Squirrelstar asks if he plans to attack first. Tigerstar says he doesn't, and he doesn't plan to upset the other leaders if he can help it, but it doesn't mean he's not worried about what Splashtail is doing. Squirrelstar says she doesn't want to see war break out, and Tigerstar says neither does he, and the timing is terrible since he needs to unite his own Clan as it is. Tigerstar says that he wishes RiverClan had a different leader, since Splashtail has it, but clearly isn't satisfied with that. Squirrelstar says it's worrisome that the other Clans don't seem to stand up to him. Frostpaw comes to the leaders and Nightheart, and Tigerstar asks her to tell Squirrelstar what she told him.

Frostpaw explains her spying in RiverClan, and her vision at the Moonpool. Squirrelstar says it sounds like RiverClan might disappear. Nightheart thinks that with Mistystar's death, there had been no true leader of RiverClan since. Squirrelstar says Splashtail has the chance to prove he's the right leader. Frostpaw says Splashtail is putting off getting his nine lives, claiming they're less important than strengthening the Clan. Squirrelstar is surprised, and Frostpaw fears he's just going to keep putting it off until the Clan just accepts him as Splashtail, not Splashstar. Tigerstar says it's hard to believe a whole Clan would just reounce StarClan without a proper leader, RiverClan is obviously desperate for a leader from their own Clan and be independent again. He adds that even if Splashtail goes to the Moonpool, he's certain RiverClan's troubles aren't over.

Nightheart, knowing it isn't his place to speak but does anyway, asks what happens if Splashtail lies about the nine lives. Squirrelstar says she wouldn't put it past him, reminding Tigerstar of what happened with Nightstar back in the old forest. Tigerstar says Nightpelt lied to save his Clan, and was honorable for it. Squirrelstar sees it as if Splashtail is rejected by StarClan, he'd never admit it and just lie he got his lives and name, or he just keeps postponing it until RiverClan gives up and accepts a fraudulent leader. Either outcome isn't good for RiverClan.

Frostpaw says Squirrelstar is right, but wishes she wasn't. Squirrelstar and Nightheart soon head back, and Nightheart wonders if the Clans' troubles will ever end.

RiverClan is so going to attack ShadowClan next book fr.

I think it's a good thing that Squirrelstar and even Tigerstar II are now trying to avoid an all out big battle. Still think the latter is a piece of work though. And I still want a big battle lol.

Jayfeather chewing out Squirrelflight is funny, not gonna lie. He's actually dropping some good opinions in this book, and I'm enjoying it. I'll be honest, the meeting they had between Squirrelflight and Tigertwo really didn't give much plot wise? Just felt like rehashed information that we already knew, and exchanging it between characters. But it's pointless since no plan came out of it??