Dawn (book)/Chapter 18

==Chapter description==
:Rainwhisker yowls to look as ThunderClan sees WindClan waiting ahead of them. Blackstar urges them to go, and Squirrelpaw stares back at the forest. Firestar reminds the Clans that this is their home no more, lowering his head in the pouring rain. Mudclaw snarls that he'd thought they'd changed their mind, but Leopardstar tells him that Mudfur was going to StarClan.
:Tallstar shivers, and Blackstar adds that Mudfur died under Silverpelt, making Squirrelpaw say that she saw their ancestors at the sun-drown-place, though Mudclaw is doubtful. Impatient, Blackstar asks if they are leaving, which Tallstar affirms. The cats trudge through the exposed moorland, and Squirrelpaw becomes exhausted quickly. Brambleclaw encourages her to move on, and Cloudtail takes Birchkit as Dustpelt supports his mate, Ferncloud.
:Squirrelpaw sees many Twoleg monsters ahead, and asks how they'll get past, but Onewhisker states that this is the most quiet place to cross. Mudclaw sees a rock outcrop in the distance, and says that they can shelter there. Firestar agrees, and Squirrelpaw observes Cinderpelt giving Tallstar the remaining traveling herbs. Firestar gives the order to run, and everyone quickly pelts over to the outcrop; Brambleclaw helps Squirrelpaw up the ledge.
:Just as Crowpaw helps a kit up, a Twoleg begins waving its arms around, having spotted the cats, and Squirrelpaw realizes that Blackstar and Leopardstar hesitated. Brambleclaw fears that they won't make it, and Firestar says that they must go back and help. Having found new strength, Squirrelpaw charges back and pulls a grateful RiverClan apprentice from the mud. Dawnflower wails for her kit, and Crowpaw quickly retrieves it. Squirrelpaw carries her other kit and dashes back toward the gully, calling for Leafpaw.
:The brown tabby looks over the kits, and says that they're scared yet fine. The Clans rest, preparing to travel across the next stretch of moorland. Firestar suggests to travel like one Clan, and although this is met with critisism by Blackstar, he agrees to do so albeit let the Clan leaders give orders. Brambleclaw informs Squirrelpaw that the sun-drown-place cats are guarding the outer edges of the group, saying that they've gotten this far, and she replies that they've done the right thing.
:As the Clans begin moving, the sun-drown cats take their places outside the group. The Clans keep low and quiet, and Leafpaw asks her sister if she's alright, which she confirms. She notes that everyone is covered in mud, knowing that'll help them blend in. Squirrelpaw is relieved that they are nearing the slope that will take them away from monsters, but freezes when a dog barks.
:She panics, realizing that there is no way the kits and elders will escape. Each leader gives out commands, and Squirrelpaw sees that dog is getting closer and that the elders are still falling behind. She is shocked to find Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt, and Crowpaw charging at the dog. The dog charges at Crowpaw, but Tawnypelt and Brambleclaw distract it. As the dog tries attacking Crowpaw, a Twoleg grabs its collar and drags it away. The rest of the cats run as Russetfur and Stormfur drag fear-ridden elders back to the others. Squirrelpaw looks back and realizes that they've left Clan territory for the final time, noting that the journey has begun.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
de:Morgenröte/Kapitel 18fr:‎Aurore/Chapitre 18
Category:Dawn (book)
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:The New Prophecy arc