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| “ | Don't worry, Ashfur. I won't let Rootspring get away. | „ |
| ~ One of Houndleap's attempts to get into Ashfur's good graces. |
Houndleap is a minor character in the novella Spottedleaf's Heart and a supporting antagonist in A Light in the Mist, the last book of The Broken Code arc from Erin Hunter's Warriors book series.
He is a Dark Forest resident and a former WindClan warrior who assisted Mapleshade in her training sessions and upon Ashfur's takeover of the Dark Forest, he served him in hopes of being able to live again, unaware of the spotted tom's true intentions. Following the latter's defeat however, Houndleap disappeared from the battlefield.
Biography[]
Spottedleaf's Heart[]
Houndleap is first seen in the Dark Forest during Thistleclaw and Spottedpaw's visit. Spottedpaw notices that he looks like a Windclan cat, before he and Thistleclaw are ordered to fight by Mapleshade, which both toms proceed to do. The spiky tabby warrior gains the upper hand over the black tom and brutally pummels him, before being stopped by Spottedpaw, who manages to treat Houndleap's wounds. The young apprentice asks the spirit why Thistleclaw is in such place, to which the tabby approaches from behind them, declaring that he's here to become a better warrior.
A Light in the Mist[]
He is revealed to have been one of the surviving Dark Forest spirits who started working for Ashfur after the tom promised them a chance to live again once they help him. He is among Ashfur's followers when the latter is giving out orders following Rootspring's escape and is chosen to be in charge of search patrol for the escapees. Following the spotted tom's explanation to Mapleshade's question as to why she isn't in charge of the patrol, the black tom gives her a boastful glance and assures Ashfur that he'll find Rootspring, before leaving with Mapleshade and Rushtooth. After Mapleshade caught Rootspring, he and the tortoiseshell she-cat guard the SkyClan tom until Rushtooth returns with the news of Ashfur's upcoming arrival. The three spirits discuss Ashfur being pleased with their success and once he returns, Houndleap keeps trying to suck up to him which earns him a sneer from Mapleshade. The black tom rebukes her before Ashfur tells both of them to shut up. He then tries to stealthy eavesdrop on Rootspring and Ashfur's conversation, but doesn't manage to and as a result also doesn't overhear when Ashfur reveals his true intention of his presence in the Dark Forest; to destroy it along with StarClan.
Suddenly, Ashfur quickly races out of the makeshift prison den and after Houndleap questions his behavior, the spotted tom hastily blurts out to guard Rootspring as he needs to check on the barrier between the Dark Forest and StarClan. However, Houndleap disregrads that order and instead follows after him, joining him and the latter's spirit slaves as they arrive on their destination. Along with Ashfur's spirit slaves he is poised to attack but then Ashfur orders them to wait for a moment, intending to convince Needletail to join them instead. Later during the confrontation and the ensuing battle with Ashfur and Darktail's rogues, Houndleap is spotted in the wave of attackers along with Rushtooth and Thistleclaw. Rootspring ducks under him during his race to help Shadowsight but the black tom joins the ginger she-cat who just attacked the SkyClan tom. He is thrown at the she-cat and the two briefly berate one another, before grabbing hold of the SkyClan tom. Rootspring however manages to bite one of the black tom's paws and as a result loses him amid the confusion. Houndleap is next seen fighting Crowfeather and minutes later wrestling with Silverhawk. Following Ashfur and Bristlefrost's deaths, both sides stop fighting and while unseen, it is implied that Houndleap flees the field along with the rogue spirits.
Appearance[]
Houndleap is a little, scrawny black tom with amber eyes.
External Links[]
- Houndleap on the Warriors Wiki
