Wind (book)/Chapter 7

==Chapter description==
:Puddleshine tells Shadowsight to clean up for the Moonpool meeting, resulting in Shadowsight shaking watermint off his fur. Frostpaw asks the ShadowClan medicine cats if she can go to the meeting, longing to continue her duties. Puddleshine says that he isn't sure if he is allowed to take her in as she is not an official medicine cat. Shadowsight points out Frostpaw's connection to StarClan, something that he himself lacks. Puddleshine says that Frostpaw cannot come, as her appearance may cause too much chaos. Frostpaw uses a loophole, saying how she isn't technically ShadowClan, and that if she can come, she will make it clear that the journey was her choice, not ShadowClan's. Puddleshine reluctantly agrees and lets Frostpaw come.
:At the Moonpool, Frostpaw notices that Whistlepaw is absent. She worries about her friend's punishment, and realizes that the RiverClan medicine cats aren't present either. Frostpaw wonders if they didn't come because Podlight doesn't really have visions. She then realizes that the medicine cats are talking about her presence, and catches on when Alderheart says that she should stay. Frecklewish agrees and cites Frostpaw's connection to StarClan, but Fidgetflake disagrees, saying that Frostpaw "changes her mind" about her connection. Kestrelflight adds that perhaps the medicine cats have done too much to help Frostpaw. Jayfeather silences the group, saying that they are wasting moonlight, and that StarClan will object Frostpaw if she is not wanted.
:Frostpaw is relieved that she is accepted, and wonders if she will dream of Riverstar. Jayfeather snaps to start the dreaming, but Frecklewish wants to wait for Mothwing and Podlight. Puddleshine adds that he would like to know if Splashtail got his nine lives. Alderheart says that Splashtail should have, as every leader is eager to be blessed by StarClan. Frostpaw thinks that every true leader does, and that Splashtail isn't one, having murdered and lied his way into the position. Jayfeather asks how long they have to wait when Mothwing and Podlight show up, and instead makes a snide comment about them being late. Podlight is intimidated by Jayfeather. Jayfeather remarks how convenient it is that Podlight has received visions out of nowhere, and then a new leader is immediately appointed.
:Alderheart asks Podlight to share his visions. Podlight shares a dream he had of a large amount of marigold growing downstream, which the Clan was able to gather shortly before Duskfur injured herself, needing the medicine. This impresses the medicine cats, and Mothwing asserts that her apprentice is valid. Podlight is hostile to Frostpaw, saying that she is the only cat with false visions. Frostpaw rebukes, referring to her visions of Riverstar. Mothwing scoffs at Frostpaw, saying that Splashtail is innocent, making Frostpaw worry that she was lying the other day. Fidgetflake asks Podlight if he is sure that Splashtail is the correct leader, and Podlight confirms this. Podlight says that Forstpaw's visions are fake, and feigns worry about her wellbeing. He says that Frostpaw may not be able to tell what is real and what isn't, and Kestrelflight says that it's just Frostpaw's word against Podlight and Splashtail's, and that the Clans should be grateful for RiverClan's new leader.
:Jayfeather disagrees, saying that Splashtail is not a proper leader, and won't be until StarClan blesses him. Podlight admits that Splashtail had not received his lives yet. Kestrelflight yowls that RiverClan's whole problem was the struggle to find a StarClan-chosen leader, and that Splashtail is making it worse. Podlight protests that Splashtail had other priorities, but the excuse is not accepted, and he continues making more that are even less accepted. Frostpaw realizes that her suspicions of Splashtail not intending to get his lives is true. The other medicine cats tell Podlight that he needs to get Splashtail to the Moonpool for his lives. Frecklewish says that Leafstar currently accepts Splashtail, but may not if StarClan rejects him. Jayfeather says that either Frostpaw or Podlight is a liar, and he thinks it's Podlight. Frostpaw tries to assert her validity again. Mothwing then preforms the medicine cat ceremony for Podlight, making him an official RiverClan medicine cat. Unlike the usual customs, nobody cheers for him. Puddleshine announces that it is time to meet with StarClan, and once more tells Podlight to bring Splashtail for his leader ceremony. Podlight agrees.
:Frostpaw then crouches at the edge of the Moonpool, putting her nose into the water. She is transported into a dark place, not unlike her first trip to the Moonpool. The darkness leaves, and Frostpaw finds herself at a riverside. The sky darkens and Frostpaw is stuck by cold once more. Frostpaw continues gazing at the river, and sees a chasm in the center of its current. Frostpaw tries to look down the chasm, but it is bottomless. She then wakes up at the Moonpool. Alderheart asks Frostpaw about any dreams, and Frostpaw tells the medicine cats of her vision. Alderheart says that the vision should be taken seriously, and Frostpaw tells Mothwing that it is because the river was disappearing. Frecklewish says that it was a shadow fell into the river before it disappeared, and that Frostpaw was in ShadowClan, thus possibly making her the shadow in RiverClan, and says that the vision could be made up. Jayfeather challenges this, and Alderheart tells the two to calm down. Kestrelflight points out that StarClan had not rejected Podlight, and that perhaps they will accept Splashtail too. Shadowsight says that after spending time with Frostpaw, he believes her to hold a gifted connection to StarClan, but is challenged by Fidgetflake who cites Shadowsight's lack of connection to StarClan. Puddleshine refuses to vote for an opinion until more information is given. Mothwing concludes the meeting by saying that the Clans' troubles will go away once Splashtail gets his nine lives.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Wind (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc