Time for another biology lesson, kids!
Hearing ability is measured in hertz. Hertz is defined as the unit of frequency, which here refers to sound waves. If you hear at 1 hertz (or hz), you hear at one "cycle" per second. This is absurdly bad hearing. The average human hearing ability is 23,000-64,000 hz, which is pretty good. The number for cats varies a lot, but the average is from 45,000-70,000 hz. Not only that, but cats' ears are specialized to make the most out of that range - they can swivel 180 degrees, and have special slits and bends in them to carry sound better. Cats are often regarded as having some of the best hearing out of any mammal in the world, and are obviously much more skilled at picking up sound than humans (ever tried sneaking up on a cat?).
I bring this up because there is no way that monster would have snuck up on Fireheart. Monsters are constantly described as loud, even if they're fast (in fact, the faster a monster would go, the louder it is). If the car's going, say, 60 mph, it may zoom past Fireheart, but he would have heard it coming some time before it had the chance to scare him.
I know, it's a nitpick, but the small things in these books (such as cats shrugging or having bad hearing) really enunciate the lack of research on the part of the writers. It's disappointing, is all.
Fireheart and Graystripe catch onto the trail again, but smartly decide that it's a better idea to greet WindClan in the daytime than at night. I want to bring up the point again that these cats should be nocturnal, but I'll leave it at that.
Also, some of you brought up a while back the amount of "pangs" Fireheart feels. I counted, and there are 23 uses of it in this book alone. I think Fireheart should see the medicine cat for all that chest pain.
FOR F-
Mrgh. I don't know how he can't see that it has to do with him. It's so obvious, you'd think...
Hold on, what's that over there? Is that the script? Look, it's blowing away in the wind! Wait, come back, script!*
Fireheart catches sight of WindClan being chased by a drunken hobo, and ends up having a glass bottle flung at him. I really don't know if hobos regularly try to hurt animals over in the UK, but here it's more common to see them "adopt" a stray. Pardon the Americentricism; I just assume that people are generally kind to animals.
The duo catches up to the half-starved WindClan cats, who are understandably freaked out at strangers following them. Luckily, Tallstar intervenes when he notices that they smell like ThunderClan. I'm amazed that none of the other cats pick up on the scent, even if they are downwind, but whatever. The Clan is relieved to hear that their territory is safe once again, and agree to let Fireheart and Graystripe travel with them.
Again, you'd think they'd at least send a scout ahead before the idea of searching for them ever occurred to see if their home is safe. They're not incredibly far away, and WindClan is noted for being fast - just send two cats and sniff around some.
Yeah, I'd hope so, buddy. You know, Graystripe's name fits him, too. Why not remark on that?
We meet Deadfoot, who's honestly one of the most interesting characters in the story, but you know we won't get to see much of him because Erin Hunter doesn't care about interesting characters. You know, that's really the mark of a terrible writer; when something has very obvious potential, and they ignore it completely.
This gesture has been inconsistent so far. With Spottedleaf, it meant romantic affection, but with Morningflower, it means "thanks". Fireheart doesn't think much of it with Morningflower, so why was he all gushy about Spottedleaf doing it to him? Decide what your cat gestures mean, please!
We also meet Onewhisker, who's almost too unimportant to mention at this point, so whatever. Continuing the trend of dumb names, what on earth is Onewhisker supposed to mean? He's never noted to have just one whisker.
Literally. Never.
Also, fun fact: he's one of the many creepy guys who mate with their apprentice once she becomes a warrior. I think Hunter's got some underlying issues that we're not discussing here because this is a kid's site.
They cross the Thunderpath without a single death, luckily. A monster even hits the brakes and swerves around them. Tallstar and Onewhisker mention that Fireheart and Graystripe's assistance won't be forgotten by WindClan, which is also good.
On top of that, Ravenpaw makes a triumphant return!
He obviously does, you moron. Why did you ask that?
OH MY-
YOU WEREN'T EVEN HERE WHEN HE JOINED THE CLAN! HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW HE'S A KITTYPET?! HOW IS THAT EVEN JUSTIFIED IN ERIN HUNTER'S MIND? HE DOESN'T LOOK OR SMELL LIKE A KITTYPET ANYMORE! THERE'S NO WAY YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS!
Also, why is WindClan so hoity-toity about going into an abandoned Twoleg nest? You guys were literally just sleeping in a stinky drainpipe. This place is obviously roomier, obviously more comfortable, and obviously empty. You're starving and exhausted. Just go in there and sleep!
You said his full name two seconds ago. Whatever secrecy you wanted to keep is out the window. What should WindClan care that an apprentice left ThunderClan? It's not like Tigerstar's going to be sniffing around, asking if they've seen a skinny, terrified little cat who was specifically noted to be dead.
And then Barely says his full name three paragraphs later, and Fireheart doesn't freak out!
I've said this before, but I'm fully convinced that the Hunters never read over what they wrote more than once. There's no way a competent writer would miss that, much less a group of 5.
We catch up some with Ravenpaw, and it's obvious that he's become much more confident and cheerful, given that he jokes about eating apprentices and speaks casually about the dangers around his home. If only we could have seen that development in person...
In the morning, the medicine cat Barkface freaks out and foretells that a cat will die today. I'm astonished that a medicine cat would just scream that out loud, especially when the Clan needs the strength to fight for their home again. That was a terrible idea on his part.
Up next: Chapter Seven.
*Since I'm sure some of you are curious about why I keep saying that: It's a joke I picked up from a few Youtubers. It's supposed to make fun of when characters do stupid things because the plot dictates it; i.e. they read the script. If the smart thing to do is explain what the prophecy could entail to Fireheart, and Spottedleaf instead chooses to be vague and weird about it, she's read the script and is going with what would convenience the plot.
