| “ | I would be safe here. Safe and free to live my own life. Maybe one day I'd go back and look for Violet - or maybe she'd be happy living with Fuzz and his twolegs. Maybe she'd get plump on tuna and sleep on the bed with the twolegs, purring contently. The important thing was that we escaped from BloodClan. Scourge couldn't hurt us anymore. | „ |
| ~ Barley after escaping BloodClan and setting into the farm |
Barley is a reoccurring supporting character in the Warriors series and the deuteragonist of both the Ravenpaw's Path trilogy and the novella Ravenpaw's Farewell. He was formerly a member of BloodClan alongside his siblings, but eventually fled to a farm. He and his partner Ravenpaw both live as loners on a farm near the forest territories, and often let travelers stay with them in the barn in between their travels.
Appearance
Barley is a plump, sturdy tom with large paws and fluffy black-and-white fur. His face and shoulders are broad, and he has light blue eyes. He's noted to look nearly identical to his brothers Hoot and Jumper, but lacks the tooth-studded collar or reinforced claws they both have. In Graystripe's Vow, his fur is streaked with gray due to his age.
Personality
Barley's main personality trait is his taste for being alone. His only experience of living with a group of cats being his violent youth in BloodClan, he yearns for the tranquility of a loner's life. He is shown to be uneasy among other cats, especially when he visits ThunderClan or when he welcomes travelers into his farm, and he likes to hunt and rest in his own secluded space.
However he is very affable, as he always greets the leaders and medicine cats going to Highstones, and he is even eager to offer them to hunt in his farm. He quickly became friends with Firestar and Graystripe and accepted Ravenpaw as his denmate without reluctance, despite the fact that he likes being alone.
Barley is extremely loyal towards the ones he cares for, especially his sister Violet whom he saved from Scourge's tyrannical rule over BloodClan. His loyalty later goes to his partner Ravenpaw whom he always supports and helps through hard times.
He is also brave, as shown when he doesn't hesitate to help Bluestar and her patrol fight off the rats that attack them on their way home from Highstones. When he hears about BloodClan's threat over the forest, he decides by himself to reveal his past to Firestar and to fight at his side, revealing Scourge's weaknesses. Later on, he protects his farm from an invader named Willie and fights several times at Ravenpaw's side, either to defend their territory or help allies.
Biography
Yellowfang's Secret
On the way to the Moonstone for the half-moon meeting, the medicine cats see Barley while passing by the farm. He's noted to have recently moved to the farm and is friendly towards Clan cats. As he watches from atop a wall, WindClan's medicine cat Hawkheart asks the loner if he's settling into his new home, to which Barley says that there's plenty of mice around the barn and they may stop to hunt if they'd like. The ThunderClan medicine cat Featherwhisker politely declines as they don't have the time, but says they may stop by afterwards.
The Prophecies Begin
Into the Wild
Bluestar, Tigerclaw, Firepaw, Graypaw and Ravenpaw encounter Barley on the way back from the Moonstone. Barley greets them, and Tigerclaw is suspicious of him, but Bluestar says that he's a friend of hers. The loner advises that the group take an alternate path home, as twolegs had let their dogs loose near the route they'd come from by then. Bluestar takes his advise and the Clan cats take the other path, where they're attacked by a large horde of rats.
Barley arrives to save them, but is too late to prevent Bluestar from losing a life. Tigerclaw tackles him afterward, accusing him of luring them into a trap, but Barley tries explaining that he hadn't known about the rats. Firepaw gets Tigerclaw off of him and tells the farm cat he should leave now, as the dark brown tabby can't be calmed. When Bluestar revives, she tells Firepaw that the rats would've eaten her alive if Tigerclaw hadn't saved them. Firepaw corrects her that Barley had been the one to save them, but he'd gone back home because of Tigerclaw's suspicions.
Once Firepaw realizes that ThunderClan isn't safe for Ravenpaw anymore, he plans to have his friend go to the farm to get away from Tigerclaw. Along with Graypaw, the two sneak out of camp, with Ravenpaw assuring them that he knows the way to the farm from there. The other two apprentices tell him they'll fake his death so Tigerclaw won't go looking for him and say their goodbyes before leaving to find Yellowfang.
Fire and Ice
While returning from finding WindClan, Fireheart and Graystripe pass by the farm and encounter Ravenpaw, who allows them and the WindClan cats to stay for the night. Upon seeing the rain-soaked, exhausted cats, Barley immediately agrees to shelter them and guides them to a nearby barn. He assures the WindClan cats that the barn is abandoned and they won't have to worry about twolegs. Fireheart apologizes for such a large number of cats, but the loner says that it's no trouble.
During the Clan cats stay Ravenpaw and Barley do their best to help them with food and shelter, though the latter is rather uncomfortable with so much company, as he's used to living with only Ravenpaw. While staying the night, Fireheart and Graystripe catch up with their old friend and he tells them of how Barley took him in and how much he likes having him around.
Forest of Secrets
After sneaking away from a Gathering, Fireheart and Graystripe go to the farm to ask Ravenpaw about the detail regarding Redtail's death. Barley invites them in and comments that whatever they're there for must be important to travel through the moorlands in such bad weather. He then leaves them to talk with Ravenpaw in private and invites them to hunt, as there are plentiful mice in the barn.
The Darkest Hour
After Firestar's leadership ceremony at the Moonstone, Ravenpaw and Barley let him and Cinderpelt eat and rest at the barn. Later, after BloodClan threatens to take over the forest, the two farm cats offer to participate in the battle against them as if the forest was taken over they'd surely soon be next. Barley later reveals that he used to be a part of BloodClan, and that the greatest weakness of their leader Scourge is that he doesn't believe in StarClan, thus doesn't have nine lives. During the battle itself, Ravenpaw and Barley fight against two identical BloodClan warriors (most likely Hoot/Ice and Jumper/Snake). One of them recognizes Barley and taunts him for being too afraid of Scourge to stay in BloodClan, to which he responds that he at least had the courage to leave. After Scourge is killed and the rest of BloodClan is chased off, Barley and Ravenpaw return to their peaceful life at the farm.
Firestar's Quest
On the way to the Moonstone after a Gathering, Firestar goes to visit the farm where its occupants are delighted to see him. Barley offers him to rest and hunt, but the ThunderClan leader declines, saying that he's just passing through and can't eat on the way to the Moonstone anyways. Barley then steps out to give Firestar and Ravenpaw some privacy to talk, giving a friendly nod as he does. Firestar gives the two farm cats a quick goodbye before continuing to Mothermouth the next day.
Ravenpaw's Path
Shattered Peace
While out hunting, Barley compliments Ravenpaw's hunting crouch and asks him what his old life in ThunderClan was like. It starts to snow though, so the two head inside, with Ravenpaw gawking at the snow while Barley admires its brightness. After Ravenpaw gets his tongue stuck on some ice, Barley notices him speaking funnily as a result and points it out. Ravenpaw denies this, and when Barley asks if he's sure, the smaller tom plops a mouse in front of him and tells him to eat it.
That night, a group of rouges lead by a tom named Willie stop by the farm. Ravenpaw welcomes them and invites them to stay a while, and Barley brings them some fresh-kill to eat. One of the rouges named Minty gives birth soon after, and while Ravenpaw is amazed by the newborn kittens, Barley doesn't trust the rouges and walks away. The two farm cats then have a talk in private where Barley reveals that he senses something off about their guests. Ravenpaw rebukes this however, saying that their guests are friends and they should be hospitable.
Some time later, Barley sees one of the rouges called Snapper teaching Minty's kittens how to land killing blows on mice. He's unnerved by this and brings it up to Ravenpaw, pleading with him to tell the rouges to leave. Ravenpaw protests again, saying that they haven't done anything wrong and Snapper was probably just trying to tire the kits out so they'd get to sleep easier. As the green-eyed tom walks away, Barley begins feeling discouraged.
Barley later overhears Willie and Snapper discussing their old territory and plans to get a new one, his trust in the rogues only declining further because of it. Eventually the rouges say that they need to go, and as they leave Ravenpaw sadly says that the barn feels much emptier now, but Barley is happy and says that it's nice to have things back to normal. He then comments on how much of a mess the rogues had made during their stay, and now the two of them can clean it up. However, Ravenpaw states that the rogues left because Barley wasn't kind to them, to which the blue-eyed tom argues that Ravenpaw was too trusting of them. He then accuses Ravenpaw of wishing he'd never left Clan life. Ravenpaw retorts that he was never suited to Clan life, and is upset when Barley questions if he's suited to farm life.
While the two sleep that night, a stray spark starts a fire that quickly spreads throughout the barn. Barley is awoken by this and wakes Ravenpaw up as well, the two escaping the flaming barn. Ravenpaw then rushes back though, wanting to save the dogs. Barley asks if he's crazy, thinking he must be crazy too as he rushes after the smaller tom. They save the dogs, and after the fire is put out are distraught to their barn in ruins, sleeping in the cow stable instead.
The next day, the two go out hunting, but struggle as prey is now sparse. They see a dead rabbit and wonder who killed it, with Barley recognizing the scent of something before brushing it off as nothing. As they go inside, they hear a strange sound and follow it to the chicken coop, where they find Willie and his cats killing chickens inside. Upon seeing Willie cruelly killing some chicklings, Ravenpaw realizes that Barley was right all along and the two try saving the chicklings, but are too late. As the rouges flee, one of the farm's owners come is to the chicken coop and assumes that Ravenpaw and Barley had been the ones killing the birds.
After getting chased out of the chicken coop, the two find Willie and his rouges waiting outside, where they claim that they're taking over the farm. The then reveal that they aren't rouges at all; they're members of BloodClan. A fight ensues, but Barley and Ravenpaw are outnumbered and quickly driven from their home. The two them walk towards the Moonstone, with Barley saying he's never been so wet and cold before. Ravenpaw tell him to hang in there, as they're almost at Mothermouth. When they get to the Moonstone, the two fall asleep beside it and Ravenpaw receives a message from StarClan in his dreams that ThunderClan will help them take back the farm. When the two wake, he tells Barley of this dream and the two start heading for the forest.
A Clan in Need
Barley has a nightmare of his time in BloodClan, when Scourge orders his brothers to kill his sister Violet in front of him as punishment for trying to leave. He wakes up right before she's attacked, and Ravenpaw asks if he's ok. Barley assures him that it was just a dream, and the green-eyed tom asks if it was about Violet, to which he admits that it was. Ravenpaw comforts him by telling him that everything's fine now and his sister is safe, then says that it's time to continue their travel to ThunderClan. Barley isn't as optimistic that ThunderClan will be able to help the take back their home, but agrees when Ravenpaw insists that they try.
While passing through WindClan, a patrol stops them and begins to circle them. One of the WindClan warriors accuses them of being rogues and kidnapping one of their kits, but Mudclaw recognizes the two and explains to his Clanmates that they aren't enemies. When Ravenpaw asks if one of their kittens has gone missing, Mudclaw confirms this and tells them that it was a dark gray tom named Crowkit. The two loners tell the patrol that they'll keep an eye out for him on their way to ThunderClan, and soon after find Crowkit at Fourtrees. The kitten says that he was trying to climb up the Great Rock to see what it's like to be a Clan leader. Ravenpaw says that his Clan was terribly worried about him, and when Crowkit protests that they never pay attention to him, Barley says that they will now thanks to him wandering off on his own. They take Crowkit back home and see Mudclaw arguing with the ThunderClan warrior Dustpelt over borders, with Barley commenting that all Clan cats ever seem to do is fight. They end the quarrel by telling everyone that Crowkit has been found, and from there they follow Dustpelt to ThunderClan.
When they get to camp, Barley is relieved to see the ThunderClan cats welcoming them warmly. As Brightheart fetches Firestar for them, two kits approach and ask who they are. Sandstorm tell them that they helped the Clan when they needed it most, and introduces the two kits as Leafkit and Squirrelkit, the daughters of her and Firestar. The aforementioned leader then greets the two and remarks that it seemed like only yesterday when he himself was a kitten. Tough Ravenpaw is happy to be visiting his old friend again, Barley is more suspicious. When they explain their situation and ask for help, Firestar hesitates and says that he'll think about it.
When many ThunderClan warriors get ambushed by BloodClan cats, Ravenpaw asks if that's why Firestar can't send any help to the farm. Firestar admits that it's true that they're too preoccupied with their own fight against BloodClan at the moment, but still welcomes the two loners to stay as long as they'd like. Ravenpaw volunteers the both of them to go on patrols, and when he wakes Barley up, the larger tom says that he wants more sleep, not used to getting up at a scheduled time. While on the hunting patrol, another group of BloodClan cats ambush the ThunderClan cats and the two loners to steal the fresh-kill they had just caught. As they battle the BloodClan cats, one of its warriors recognizes Barley and calls out to him, but the black-and-white tom ignores him.
Graystripe and Ravenpaw pick up on his odd behavior however, and after the attackers are fought off they ask if he knows any of them. Barley denies this and says that they need to head back to camp, walking away. Ravenpaw catches up with him and corners him, asking once more if he knows any of the cats they had just fought. However, Barley simply states that pat of his life was over now, and he didn't want to talk about it. Firestar then inquires if he may know where they live, and Barley snaps that he doesn't, and isn't going to help them.
ThunderClan is now in a famine thanks to BloodClan constantly stealing their prey, but Barley does his best to ignore the hungry cries of the cats around him. His determination to help ThunderClan is restored though when Sorrelpaw is badly injured by BloodClan. Rainpaw worries for his sister, and Barley reveals to him that BloodClan had tried to kill his own sister once, too. That night, everyone gathers around as barley reveals all he knows about BloodClan, including the fact that the cat who'd recognized him during the fight is named Snipe. Ravenpaw suggests going to Violet for help, and Barley says that his sister wouldn't want anyone to suffer if she could prevent it.
Barley and Ravenpaw go to find Violet, and when they ask her what's going on she informs them of rumors that BloodClan is banding together again. After finding out where the BloodClan cats live, Barley, and Ravenpaw return to ThunderClan, with Violet convincing her brother to let her go as well. The three of them all go with a ThunderClan patrol to where the BloodClan cats reside. When Snake and Ice are about to kill Violet, Barley stops them and together he and Violet pin their brothers down. The two beg for mercy, trying to reason that they're siblings and they can't hurt their old littermates, but Barley doesn't buy it. Snake and Ice then blame their Clanmates on the prey theft, causing said Clanmates to turn on them. They beg Barley to protect them, but he just tells them to leave.
Barley takes Violet home to her twoleg nest before going back to ThunderClan. Ravenpaw says that they'll chase the rogues out of the farm next, to which Barley comments that he though he would've wanted to stay in his old Clan because of how great a warrior he was during the battle. Ravenpaw assures him that the barn belongs to them, not some rogues.
The Heart of a Warrior
Barley wakes up when Firestar is organizing a battle patrol to send to the farm. He's says that he'd rather leave quietly as he isn't good at farewells, but as the patrol is about to leave Squirrelkit and Leafkit bound out of the nursery and ask to come with them. Squirrelkit causes a ruckus that wakes up the whole Clan, and when they realize that Ravenpaw and Barley are leaving they all go to say their goodbyes. Ravenpaw thinks about how well Barley is doing with all the attention. As the patrol heads to the farm, they encounter WindClan's deputy Deadfoot, who wishes them good luck and says that Ravenpaw and Barley deserve to have their barn back.
Once they get to the farm, Barley suggests that they all sleep in the cow stable for the night. As Firestar makes battle plans, he asks if the dogs will make too much noise, but Barley answers that they're heavy sleepers and can be avoided. The leader then asks about the chickens, and the farm cat says that they won't make much noise either, as they've always liked him and Ravenpaw. Barley has another dream about Violet as they sleep, making Ravenpaw even more determined to help him. They attack that night, but the ThunderClan cats realize that they aren't the same cats who'd been attacking their patrols. The loner duo and Clan cats are outnumbered, and they scatter when an angry twoleg comes to break the fighting up.
When they retreat to the cow stable, Barley panics knowing that Snake and Ice - now going by the named Hoot and Jumper again - have followed their fellow BloodClan cats there, afraid of the idea of having to fight his own brothers. Ravenpaw tries to cheer him up by pointing out that the two are now going by their old names again and thus may no longer be a part of BloodClan, and a new battle plan is made. Said plan involves climbing through a hole in the roof, but Barley and Ravenpaw find that the hole has been patched up since they were last there. Barley worries what they should do now, but Ravenpaw simply says that they'll need to make a new hole. After making a new entrance through the roof, a rematch ensues and Barley fights Hoot and Jumper, chasing them out of the barn. Rather than being afraid however, Willie grins as if it had all been a part of his plan as more BloodClan cats arrive and surround ThunderClan. Just then though, the dogs wake up and rush over, helping to chase away the BloodClan cats. The dogs and Clan cats succeed in driving BloodClan off, and one of the dogs corners Hoot and Jumper. They claim to not have known the farm has Barley home, but Willie growls that they both knew very well. Barley prevents the dog from hurting them though, stating that even though they're weak and cowardly, they're still his brothers.
After Willie is driven out, Hoot and Jumper beg to stay with their brother, as Willie will kill them if they go back with him. They plead with Barley, who doesn't know what to do, but Ravenpaw understands and pities them, letting them stay. As he and Ravenpaw look inside the mess of a barn, he wonders sadly if it's even the same place anymore, but the green-eyed tom assures him that they'll get it cleaned up and back to normal in no time. Hoot and Jumper don't help clean at all, and Barley says that he'll speak with them tomorrow morning.
Hoot and Jumper try to reconnect with their brother by bringing up all the good times they've had together, and when Ravenpaw notices how tired Barley is he tells him to go relax outside. Ravenpaw then gives the two a tour of the farm, but both are rather lazy and expect everything to be handed to them. After the tour, Ravenpaw takes a nap and is later woken by Barley. He tells the smaller tom to look around the messy barn and tell him what's wrong. Hoot and Jumper then claim that they were trying to catch a mouse, but it was difficult without someone to show them how. Ravenpaw protests that he already showed them, but Hoot claims that he's lying and that he just slept the whole day while leaving him and Jumper to do everything themselves. Believing his brother's story, Barley stalks off, upset at Ravenpaw for what he supposedly did.
The three brothers go for a walk that night and come back joking and laughing like family. Hoot and Jumper tell Ravenpaw to go catch some mice for them and move his nest somewhere else, to which Ravenpaw reluctantly agrees only for Barley's sake. The next morning, the two ex-BloodClan cats tell Ravenpaw to go hunt for them, and he obliges sadly. As he walks out of the barn however, he hears a screech and runs back inside to see Barley yelling at his brothers to leave. He yowls that they've been treating Ravenpaw horribly and are no longer welcome on the farm, but the brothers protest that he can't just kick out his own kin. Barley snarls that loyalty is more important than blood, and Ravenpaw has been nothing but loyal; far more than the two of them could ever be.
Hoot and Jumper then threaten to fight him, to which he swipes at one of them and says that they're kin, so he can fight just as well as they can. Reluctantly Hoot and Jumper leave the farm, and Ravenpaw says he didn't need to chase them out just for his sake. Barley replies that he didn't send them away for that alone, but also because they didn't belong there anyways. After cleaning up the barn, Barley tells Ravenpaw that he wants to show him something, and the two climb to the barn's roof where they can see a view of the whole farm and the moorlands beyond.
The New Prophecy
Midnight
As Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw, Feathertail, Stormfur, Tawnypelt and Crowpaw journey to the sun-drown place, Ravenpaw and Barley allow them to rest at their barn for the night. They supply the group with fresh-kill and tell them that the sun-drown place is like a river with only one bank and more water than they could ever imagine. Brambleclaw notes that Ravenpaw is doing most of the talking, and Barley looks a bit uncomfortable with so much company.
Dawn
After the forest is destroyed by twolegs, the Clans all agree to move to a lake far away. On the way there, they stay at the farm and Barley comments looking half-starved, insisting they stay the night. When Firestar asks him how the prey population is, he remarks that it's better than what the Clans are facing. He then suggests that the Clans stay in an abandoned twoleg house nearby, as the barn could never hold them all and the twoleg farmers would throw a fit if they saw how many cats there were. He and Ravenpaw then show the Clan cats the best places to hunt, and when it's time for them to continue their journey the two give their old friends a heartfelt final goodbye, knowing they likely won't see each other again.
Graystripe's Adventure
Warrior's Return
After escaping the twolegs he was kidnapped by alongside a kittypet named Millie, Graystripe returns to the forest to find it completely destroyed by twolegs. Ravenpaw finds him and takes the two of them to the barn, and when Barley hisses and asks who they are, the green-eyed tom assures him that it's Graystripe and Millie is a friend. Barley is happy to see Graystripe, not thinking he'd ever see a Clan cat again since they all moved to the lake. As the two stay the night, Barley shyly offers to catch a mouse for Millie, revealing he has a crush on her. She politely declines, saying that Graystripe had already taught her how to hunt. In the morning, the farm cats tell the travelers where the lake the Clans went to is and say their goodbyes.
Ravenpaw's Farewell
Barley wakes Ravenpaw up and tells him he's getting wet from rain falling through a hole in the roof that he's sleeping under. Ravenpaw mutter's that he thought he'd checked the roof last night. Barley invites him to share his nest together, and as he pads over Barley takes notice of a pain he's feeling in his stomach, though Ravenpaw insists he's fine and it was just a bad mouse he ate. Barley then notes that the rain will stop soon and asks Ravenpaw if he wants to go into the forest when it does, as it's been a while since they've been. Ravenpaw agrees, and as the rain stops they head out of the barn, with the smaller tom wondering how Firestar and Graystripe are doing, as well as ThunderClan in general. He wonders if they were ok on the way to the lake and if Graystripe was able to find his way to their new home.
Barley then suggest checking the tunnel under the thunderpath to see if it's flooded or not, and Ravenpaw reflects on how the thunderpath is much wider then he remembers. The two see that the tunnel hasn't flooded and cross through it, soon coming to where Fourtrees was. They pass Snakerocks and where the ravine in ThunderClan once was, with Ravenpaw showing Barley a path down it. The green-eyed tom then bonds into a clearing that was once ThunderClan's camp and excitedly tells Barley all about his old life in the forest. Barley reminds him why he left, and he assures him that he doesn't regret leaving because it lead him to the farm. The two soon come upon a kittypet named Madric who hisses at them to leave "his territory", not listening when the farm cats tell him they mean no harm. The loners are chased until Barley's sister Violet appears and demands Madric to stop. She then takes the two to her twoleg's nest and shows them her litter of kittens: Bella, Riley, Patch and Lulu. The four kits bound up to the visitors excitedly and try getting them to play with them, and Violet purrs in amusement as she reminds them to behave. The litter ask Ravenpaw and Barley many questions about what life on the farm is like, and when it's time for the two loners to return home they promise to see Violet and her children again.
Later, as leafbare begins, Barley and Ravenpaw are visited by Violet, Riley and Bella. The young siblings burst through the barn doors and call out the loners' names, with Violet explaining that they insisted on visiting. She then reveals sadly that Patch and Lulu have already gone to new homes, to which the farm cats comfort her that she still has the other two. Bella and Riley are fascinated by the barn and the three decide to stay for the day, leaving the next morning despite Bella and Riley not wanting to be kittypets. The day after, Ravenpaw tells Barley that he had a dream that night of Silverstream telling him to take Violet's remaining two kits to SkyClan. Barley asks if he's kidding, questioning how he'll know where to go and what he'll do if SkyClan rejects them. Ravenpaw says that he's serios, and that he must do this for his sake as well as Riley's and Bella's, as he owes much to ThunderClan. Barley retorts that he doesn't have any commitment to ThunderClan any more and that Violet won't approve anyways, but Ravenpaw says that isn't her decision to make. Barley argues that he shouldn't be encouraging Bella's and Riley's crazy dreams of Clan life, and that they're kittypets who don't know how to survive outside their twoleg's care. The two continue to argue, and Ravenpaw is disappointed when Barley says that he won't be going with them. The blue-eyed tom continues that it's stupid for him to put kit-like dreams over Bella's, Riley's and his own safety, and that he doesn't want to hear another word about it.
After convincing Violet to let him, Ravenpaw takes Bella and Riley on a journey to SkyClan. They rest in the barn for the night, where Ravenpaw tries and fails to convince Barley to tag along. Barley says that Ravenpaw is doing this because he wants to be in a Clan again, which he refutes, but Barley continues that he probably wishes he never left ThunderClan in the first place. As the three leave the next day, Barley doesn't watch them depart. After traveling far, the three find an abandoned twoleg nest to rest in. Ravenpaw sees a shadow in the doorway behind him and is about to attack before he recognizes the shadow's owner as Barley. Ravenpaw is hesitant to go greet him after their last argument however, but Barley apologizes for trying to stop his sister's kits from traveling with him. Ravenpaw then bounds towards him and gives him a nuzzle, saying he had a right to be concerned. Barley then admits that the reason he was so upset was because he thought Ravenpaw didn't want to be around him anymore, and he assures him that would never happen.
Riley and Bella then greet their uncle and ask if he's joining them on their journey to SkyClan, and when he confirms this they begin telling him all about their travels thus far. The two young littermates then bound out of the den and yowl that they should get going, and their uncle comments on how they're already settling into the life of a wild cat. As they continue the journey, the four rest inside a small cave, leaving when Bella says there's someone nearby, with the farm cats keeping an eye out for danger. After the stop for the night, they're woken by a shrill voice to find themselves surrounded by five hostile kittypets. Ravenpaw takes a step forward and snarls to leave them alone, as they aren't doing any harm. The kittypet's leader - A tabby tom named Pasha - jeers at them to go back to where they came from, and Barley says that they'll have to make them. Ravenpaw swipes at Pasha soon after, and he and his group leave, saying that travelers aren't worth fighting. As the group settles back down, Barley promises to stay awake and on the lookout so that the kittypets don't come back.
The four travels along a stream the next morning, when suddenly a patrol of SkyClan cats appears and surrounds them, growling that they're trespassing. Ravenpaw realizes they're close to SkyClan's camp and explains to the patrol that he's Firestar's friend and wishes to speak with their leader Leafstar. After Leafstar is brought to them, Barley abruptly asks her if his niece and nephew can join her Clan. Leafstar is taken aback by the offer before refusing, saying that SkyClan already has enough cats. Ravenpaw fails to convince her otherwise, but says that any friend of Firestar is welcome in her Clan. The four are disappointed and travel back to the cave they slept in last night. Ravenpaw and Barley tell the young cats that they're still proud of them for how much they learned and would have been great warriors. Suddenly Ravenpaw stumbles from a sharp stab of pain in his stomach, and Barley props him up while asking what's wrong. The green-eyed tom insists he's fine as they reach the cave.
The two loners are woken up by Bella and Riley, who tell them something's wrong. They go into SkyClan's territory to investigate, seeing the kittypets from before attacking SkyClan's camp. They then see Leafstar rallying her warriors together and driving off the kittypets, apologizing to her Clanmates and promising to find a way to prevent it from happening again. The four return to their cave and the younger two wonder why SkyClan is letting the kittypets bother them instead of fighting back. barley tells them not to worry about it, and that they'll be heading home tomorrow. The next morning, Ravenpaw announces that they won't be going home. Barley is surprised by this, and Ravenpaw explains that he had a dream last night where Silverstream, Cloudstar and Skywatcher showed him something that might help SkyClan.
The four return to the side of the stream where another SkyClan patrol confronts them. Bouncefire and Plumwillow are about to attack, but the Clan's medicine cat Echosong tells them that the group means no harm. She steps closer and Ravenpaw begs her to take them to Leafstar. She does so, but has the other three wait in the camp's clearing while Ravenpaw speaks to Leafstar, assuring them that Hawkpaw will take care of them. After Ravenpaw talks to her, Leafstar calls a Clan meeting to announce that SkyClan's border will be moved back a bit to protect the gorge from the kittypets. SkyClan's deputy Sharpclaw begins organizing patrols to prepare for a battle against the kittypets.
The next day, the battle between SkyClan and the kittypets begins. The Clan wins the fight and sends the kittypets fleeing. Ravenpaw is exhausted however, and after Riley and Bella are accepted into the Clan and renamed Rileypaw and Bellapaw during their apprentice ceremonies, Barley takes the smaller away to rest. Ravenpaw asks to be laid under a tree, and though Barley protests, Echosong tells him to do so. Realizing he's dying, Ravenpaw promises that wherever he'll end up, he'll be waiting for Barley. Leafstar says that they'll give him the vigil of a warrior, and Barley watches somberly as Ravenpaw passes away while resting his head on his paw. He then sees Ravenpaw's spirit rise from his body and walk away into the sunlight, and soon after Barley begins the long journey back to the farm alone.
Hawkwing's Journey
When Darktail and his rogues drive SkyClan out of the gorge, Echosong suggests going to Barley for help. Rileypaw and Bellapaw second this, and later insist going to their uncle for help, saying that he's trustworthy. Once SkyClan is driven out of their territory entirely, they at last agree to go to Barley, as he'll know where the other four Clans are. They soon reach his farm, and Bellapaw and Rileypaw - now warriors with the named Bellaleaf and Rileypool - start calling out his name. Barley gives them a warm welcome and invites SkyClan to stay upon hearing what happened. He apologizes for the hardships they've faced and points them in the direction of the other Clans, saying he doesn't know much more than that. He then tells Leafstar that her Clan may hunt as they please, as there's enough prey around for everyone.
Later that night, Barley tells Leafstar and Waspwhisker that it will be hard to find the other Clans, grunting when the leader says that StarClan will guide them. The next morning, Barley points them toward the lake the Clans went to, and Leafstar thanks him for his help before her Clan leaves. Despite their Clanmates' protests, Cherrytail and Cloudmist decide to stay on the farm. Barley bids SkyClan farewell as they begin heading towards the lake.
A Vision of Shadows
Darkest Night
While looking for her lost Clanmates, Violetpaw sees a black-and-white cat standing atop some stones. She happily calls out to her father Hawkwing, and the deputy breaks into a run as he purrs that the cat is Barley. Barley greets the patrol and asks if Violetpaw is Hawkwing's daughter, commenting that the two have the same eyes and thoughtful expression. He then asks Violetpaw if she's eaten and if Molewhisker is a new member of SkyClan. When Molewhisker tells him that he's from ThunderClan, his eyes flash warmly and offers to help him hunt, with the two catching enough rats for the whole Clan. After Frecklewish is rescued, Barley organizes hunting patrols, and says farewell to the SkyClan cats as they thanks him and depart,
Graystripe's Vow
When visiting the old forest territories, Graystripe meets a group of kittypets calling themselves WarriorClan who talk about a wise old cat who lives on a farm. He realizes they're talking about Barley, and when they ask how he knows his name, the gray tom explains that he's an old friend. Graystripe says that he'd love to see him again, and he and WarriorClan goes to the farm where he sees barley sleeping inside the barn. He wakes the farm cat up, who's hardly able to believe what he sees. Barley is now too old to stand, and says that while he misses Ravenpaw dearly, he knows they'll be reunited soon. The group rests at his barn, and when Graystripe and fang are about to go save the latter's mate Daffodil from a twoleg nest, Monkeystar and Clawwhistle want to go as well. Graystripe tasks them with guarding Barley so that badgers don't attack him while they're gone. Soon after, the cats leave the farm and say goodbye to Barley, thanking him for letting them stay. Later, as he's about to head back to the Clans, Graystripe stops by the farm to briefly visit Barley again.
Trivia
- The authors don't think he'll go to StarClan when he dies because he doesn't believe in them, but will instead live on their outskirts.
- The Warriors app mistakenly says that Barley had killed the ThunderClan medicine cat Spottedleaf, when it was actually the ShadowClan warrior Clawface.
- In Moth Flight's Vision, Moth Flight has a glimpse into the future where she sees Barley fighting off Tigerstar as Bluestar dies. However, Barley was not in this scene or even the book it happens in at all, and Graystripe was the one to fight Tigerstar.
External links
- Barley on the Warriors Wiki
 Heroes
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