Crowfeather’s Trial Quotes

“Breezepelt and Crowfeather will try to infuriate the stoats—” “They should find that really easy,” Jayfeather put in.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Pickle? Stupid name! Stupid cat!”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“No, it wasn’t okay,” Crowfeather meowed, then added quickly before Featherpaw had time to look disappointed, “It was magnificent. Well done!” Featherpaw blinked up at him happily. “It’s your catch really,” she purred. “You’re such a great mentor!” Crowfeather felt a tingle of satisfaction in his paws, reflecting that even though he hadn’t been the best father when his kits were growing up, he was at least a good mentor now. Maybe that can make up for my other failings. . . .”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Crowfeather might almost have thought that his son was dead, except for the faint rise and fall of his chest and the blood that was still trickling from his belly wound and many others.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“After all, having kits ties you together forever, no matter what happens after that. . . .”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Thanks, Crowfeather!” he panted. Looking around, Crowfeather spotted Gorsetail in a nearby beech tree, her fur fluffed up as she spat defiance at the foxes below. And where were you when your apprentice was in danger? Crowfeather wondered.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“greenleafplace,”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Crowfeather suddenly felt some cat’s gaze boring into him. He turned to see Jayfeather sitting at the edge of the group of cats, his blind blue eyes fixed on him. As he met that compelling stare, hardly able to believe that Jayfeather couldn’t see him, the ThunderClan medicine cat rose to his paws, swishing his tail angrily. “If WindClan wants to deal with WindClan’s problems, fine,” he hissed. “We should leave now. We tried.” “But it’s not that easy,” Bramblestar responded patiently. “If whatever is in the tunnels is a threat, it’s a threat to both Clans.” Turning to Onestar, he added, “You have the right to make decisions for your Clan, but no right to make decisions that will endanger mine.” “That’s right!” Lionblaze agreed, his golden tabby fur beginning to bristle. Crowfeather felt an anxious flutter in his belly at the sight of his son defending the cat who raised him. And I think they’re right, he mused. Does that make me a traitor to WindClan? When he turned back toward the two Clan leaders, Bramblestar was meowing, “I insist that you work with me to deal with this threat.” Briefly Crowfeather closed his eyes, feeling his pelt prickle with anxiety at Bramblestar’s obvious inexperience. If he’d had dealings with Onestar before, he would know that’s the worst thing to try. Onestar won’t let any cat force his paw. Onestar’s calm air of superiority vanished entirely at Bramblestar’s words. His tabby fur bushed up until he looked twice his size, and he laid his ears flat against his head. “You can’t insist that I do anything,” he snarled. “I feel sorry for ThunderClan, stuck with you as leader, when every cat knows the bad blood you’ve inherited.” Crowfeather couldn’t repress a gasp. Onestar must have really lost control to let himself mention Bramblestar’s evil father, Tigerstar. Glancing at his Clanmates, he saw that they were gazing at their leader with wide, shocked eyes, as if they, too, couldn’t believe what they had just heard. It’s not fair to Bramblestar, Crowfeather thought. He only came here to offer his help.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Breezepelt,”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“It scares me a little," [Crowfeather] admitted. "Caring, when for so long I tried not to. Any cat you love, you can lose.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“It scares me a little," [Crowfeather] admitted. "Caring,
when for so long I tried not to. Any cat
you love, you can lose.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“but her voice was actually friendly as she replied. “I’m sorry, Pickle, but I always told you I’m a Clan cat. I belong on the moor.” Pickle? Crowfeather thought. What sort of name is that for a cat?”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Nightcloud is a tough warrior. If she thought the stoats were a threat to Breezepelt, she would have fought to defend him—to her last breath if she had to. And maybe she did.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“to overtake his son. “Stoats!” Crowfeather gasped. Snow-white stoats!”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Bramblestar nodded agreement. “Then Breezepelt and Crowfeather will try to infuriate the stoats—” “They should find that really easy,” Jayfeather put in. His Clan leader gave him a stare from narrowed eyes. “Thank you, Jayfeather,” he mewed, an irritated edge to his voice.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“I feel sorry for ThunderClan, stuck with you as leader, when every cat knows the bad blood you’ve inherited.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Your father killed Firestar in the Dark Forest. You must be so proud of him!”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Thank you for helping me,” Lionblaze began, halting a pace or two in front of Breezepelt. His gaze and his tone were wary. “But why did you? You said I should never have been born. You wanted me dead.” Breezepelt looked up at him, equally awkward. His eyes were guilty as he replied. “I should never have listened to the Dark Forest cats,” he mewed stiffly. “You’re a Clan cat, and my loyalty should be to the Clans.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“It doesn’t even look as if it’ll be that hard,” Oatpaw added as he peered out at the stoats. “They’re kind of . . . cute!”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“You can’t die now, he thought helplessly. Oh, StarClan, no—not when we’re starting to understand each other at last!”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Breezepelt looked up at him, equally awkward. His eyes were guilty as he replied. “I should never have listened to the Dark Forest cats,” he mewed stiffly. “You’re a Clan cat, and my loyalty should be to the Clans.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“It’s the cats who trained with the Dark Forest who are fighting hardest, Crowfeather realized. They’re throwing themselves into the worst of the battle. As he looked around, Crowfeather’s heart swelled with pride as he saw his Clanmates, who had suffered so much suspicion after the mistake they’d made, showing their loyalty by risking their lives for their Clan. At the same time, rage against the stoats gave him new strength and energy. A stoat rushed at him, rearing up to attack him with both forepaws. Crowfeather ducked underneath its forelegs, and as the stoat landed, he spun around to fasten his teeth in its throat. He pinned it to the ground, his paws gripping it determinedly until he felt a warm rush of blood; the stoat went limp and he tossed it aside. Looking up, he found himself staring into the face of Nightcloud. “Neat kill,” she commented. “Leave some for the rest of us, won’t you?” As she spoke, a stoat dived for her, leaping up to land on her back. But before it could get a firm grip on her, Crowfeather lashed out with one forepaw, knocking it to the ground. Nightcloud sank her claws into its throat; the stoat twitched and lay still. She gave Crowfeather a nod of gratitude before turning back to the battle. Crowfeather and Nightcloud fought together, standing tail to tail as they turned in a circle, paws striking out at the endless surge of stoats. As soon as they killed or injured one, another would take its place. The white bodies, the small, malignant eyes and snarling fangs, seemed to Crowfeather like something out of a nightmare. He could only go on struggling, grateful for Nightcloud’s steady presence beside him. Then pain exploded in Crowfeather’s shoulder. He turned his head to see a stoat gripping him with its claws, while a splash of drool on his muzzle warned him it was going for his throat. Crowfeather couldn’t shake it off; he dropped to the ground, buying time, but the pressing weight of the frenzied creature made him feel there was no escape. The angle of their bodies meant that he couldn’t batter at it with his hind legs. StarClan, help me! he prayed. The stoat abruptly vanished. Crowfeather looked up to see Nightcloud holding it by the scruff, shaking it vigorously, then tossing it away into the crowd. “Thanks,” Crowfeather gasped, scrambling to his paws. “Anytime,” Nightcloud responded. They turned as one to attack two other stoats that dived in from opposite directions. Even while his body remembered his battle moves, Crowfeather could reflect on how well he and Nightcloud fought together, how well they knew each other. We may not be in love, but we make a fierce team on the battlefield. I know she’ll fight ferociously for me, and for all her Clanmates. Crowfeather’s reflections were interrupted by a screech of pain. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Lionblaze fall, the golden tabby warrior overwhelmed beneath a swarm of stoats. Crowfeather leaped toward him, only to run into what”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Being injured isn’t bad, he reflected. It’s kind of a relief to have to let some other cat take care of me.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“They returned to the camp, and Crowfeather curled up in his nest. In spite of Onestar’s misgivings, he felt at peace. WindClan had learned a lesson: We must trust the other Clans.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Take care of your kin,” his mother meowed. “And remember that I’m always with you. . . .” Her voice died away on the last few words. Crowfeather saw her shape begin to fade, until it was no more than a frosty glimmer in the air, and then was gone.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Eat those,” he meowed, setting the leaves down in front of Breezepelt. “They’ll help bring down your fever.” “What’s the matter with him?” Nightcloud asked anxiously. “Most of his wounds are healing nicely,” Kestrelflight told her, while Heathertail coaxed Breezepelt to eat the herbs. “But there’s one very bad bite, the one on his belly, and it’s infected. If it gets any worse, I’m afraid he won’t make it.” Crowfeather stared at the medicine cat in horror. Won’t make it? What about his future with Heathertail? What about my chance to be a real father to him? “There must be something you can do,” he meowed.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Maybe now she won’t be so angry. And maybe in future the Clans can finally learn to get along in peace.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Crowfeather nodded, feeling the pain of rejection. He was glad that he had spoken, but he accepted that he could not control how his son responded. I guess Lionblaze and Jayfeather will always resent me. “I’m not angry with you,” Lionblaze added. “I accept your apology, and I’m grateful for the way it all turned out.” A little reassured, Crowfeather dipped his head again in acceptance. He began reaching out his tail to touch Lionblaze on the shoulder, then hastily drew it back again as he realized that would never be their relationship. This cordial agreement, with the air cleared between them, was the best he could hope for. And I have to learn to be okay with that.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“A stoat rushed at him, rearing up to attack him with both forepaws. Crowfeather ducked underneath its forelegs, and as the stoat landed, he spun around to fasten his teeth in its throat. He pinned it to the ground, his paws gripping it determinedly until he felt a warm rush of blood; the stoat went limp and he tossed it aside. Looking up, he found himself staring into the face of Nightcloud.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial

“Are you okay?” Crowfeather asked. Breezepelt’s throat was bleeding, but not too badly; it looked as if the stoat’s fangs hadn’t sunk in very deep. “Fine,” Breezepelt replied. “You?” Crowfeather nodded. “Let’s go and kill some stoats!” Breezepelt instantly leaped into the battle, but Crowfeather paused a moment to take in what was happening.”
― Erin Hunter, Crowfeather’s Trial