Dawn (book)/Chapter 16

==Chapter description==
:Leafpaw pads down the the stone slope, thinking about the weather. Although she is exhausted, she roams the forest, as it soothes her. Suddenly, Leafpaw hears Cody calling to her, and the kittypet reveals to her that she is leaving. Cody says that their life is not fit for her, adding that they have to fight for everything and that she only wants to know when she'll get food or shelter. Leafpaw asks if she'd like an escort, but Cody refuses, stating that they need rest for the journey.
:After Leafpaw and Cody say their final goodbyes, Sorreltail appears from the bracken and inquires if Cody has gone home, which Leafpaw confirms. The tortoiseshell suggests to sleep in the forest, making Leafpaw think about how they will never spend a night in the forest again. She settles into a nest with Sorreltail, closes her eyes, and wishes she can be sure there is a safe home waiting for them.
:The rain wakes Leafpaw and Sorreltail, to which the latter notes, and Leafpaw thinks about how they will have to leave the forest in this weather. The two leave their wet nest and find Tawnypelt with ThunderClan, and they wonder about what it must be like for her to be back with them. Ashfur expresses concern about the soaked ground, and Leafpaw realizes the whole Clan is worried about the journey. She hears monsters as Firestar orders everyone to catch as much prey as they can before they leave.
:He orders Brambleclaw to assign hunting patrols, which makes Mousefur believe that Firestar needs to assign the warrior as the new deputy. Firestar asks Cinderpelt if they have enough herbs, and the she-cat confirms this. Leafpaw wonders if they'll have the herbs they need in the new territory, and watches ThunderClan and ShadowClan patrols leave. Cinderpelt shakes her head at ShadowClan's decision to hunt alone, telling Leafpaw about how pride is the only thing they have now that they've lost their camp.
:Leafpaw protests, thinking that her mentor has agreed with Blackstar; Cinderpelt replies that Blackstar sent her away yesterday, saying that ThunderClan had done enough for ShadowClan. Leafpaw is still surprised, but the she-cat encourages her to finish preparing the traveling herbs, and after a while, Cinderpelt says there is nothing more to be done and informs Leafpaw that she'll check on Ferncloud. Leafpaw sees the queen and Birchkit, which gives her hope for the future, and she goes to speak with Firestar.
:Firestar is looking at the trees beyond Sunningrocks, ears pricked. Leafpaw informs him about Cody's depature, and also expresses her sadness about her leaving. Firestar explains her talent with Birchkit didn't make her a Clan cat, which makes Leafpaw wonder if he's thinking about his kittypet days with Smudge. She admits to Firestar she'll miss Cody and many things, and his eyes cloud over, making Leafpaw realize he's thinking about Graystripe. However, Firestar continues and says that they must move on, and while he is hopeful that Graystripe might return, tells Leafpaw that he is not naming a new deputy.
:Suddenly, the hunting patrols return with minimal prey. Firestar tells Leafpaw that Blackstar will be offended if he is offered prey when she asks, advising her to grab a meal. She goes over to Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw, and has a bite of the chaffinch they are having. The apprentice then becomes startled when Brambleclaw bitterly says that he isn't sharing prey with Tawnypelt, and he and Squirrelpaw recount their experience with the ShadowClan she-cat.
:Leafpaw feels as if Tawnypelt has to prove her loyalty to ShadowClan more than ever right now, and Squirrelpaw agrees. Brambleclaw agrees as well, with sadness in his voice, and Cinderpelt calls Leafpaw away. The latter is ordered to take herbs to the queens and elders, and informs her that they have enough to give to ShadowClan if Blackstar wants them. Leafpaw takes the herbs to Ferncloud and Birchkit, and then to the other elders, but Frostfur reveals that the elders are not going with the Clan.
:This shocks Leafpaw, and Firestar arrives, asking about what is going on. The elders give various reasons as to why they are staying behind, and while Firestar does not force Frostfur and Speckletail to travel with them, tells Longtail that he is not staying behind, noting his excellent sense of smell and hearing. Hearing the leader's words changes Longtail's mind, and he agrees to come, though Stormfur suddenly arrives with news that RiverClan can't leave the forest yet.
:Stormfur then reveals to a concerned Firestar that Mudfur is dying, and Frostfur and Speckletail wish to stay behind with him. Knowing they'll be protected in the RiverClan camp, Firestar agrees to send the elders if they get permission from Leopardstar. He then explains what is happening to Blackstar, and Runningnose appears, saying he wants to say goodbye to Mudfur as well. Blackstar, respect in his eyes, allows this, and Cinderpelt informs Firestar that everyone has had traveling herbs.
:Blackstar also allows Littlecloud to pass out the rest of the traveling herbs, glancing over at Longtail, and Leafpaw prepares to hear a comment about taking a blind cat on a long journey. Instead, Blackstar offers for Longtail to travel with them while the others go to RiverClan, and Longtail shakes his head in agreement and follows the white tom. Firestar then leads his Clan to the river, telling Cinderpelt and Leafpaw to follow him as well as ordering the rest of the Clan to wait at the stepping-stones.
:Leafpaw notices how brittle and brown the reeds are as she enters RiverClan's camp, faced with unwelcoming stares. Leopardstar demands what they are doing here, and Firestar explains how Frostfur and Speckletail wanted to stay with Mudfur. However, the golden she-cat says that it isn't needed, for Mudfur is nearly with StarClan, but lets them go into the medicine clearing anyway. Mothwing tells Cinderpelt that her mentor is not in pain; Mudfur is stretched out on the ground, and Shadepelt is somberly watching him. The medicine cats nuzzle and say their final goodbyes to Mudfur, who takes his final breath and dies, and Leafpaw watches his body while wondering how many cats will not make it to the end of the journey.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Mudfur dies of old age.
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with chapter four of Mothwing's Secret.
==Notes and references==
de:Morgenröte/Kapitel 16fr:Aurore/Chapitre 16
Category:Dawn (book)
Category:The New Prophecy arc
Category:Chapter subpages