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There's a little alcove in the mountain wall right next to IceClan's camp. It's been the medicine den for many seasons, the surrounding stone helping to keep most of the cold out, perfect for sick and injured cats who need a quiet place to rest. Thin tunnels just big enough for an adult cat to squeeze through strike out from the main cave, leading to more caverns where Doveshadow keeps his herb storage and small garden. It's difficult for the white-and-black tom to find a good amount of herbs out in the neverending snow. His garden is very useful, a spot to grow more herbs where they are safe and protected from the elements. He's always felt drawn towards plants, even before wanting to become a medicine cat, gently pushing tiny seeds into the dirt and bringing water-soaked moss back to make it rain. Watching the stems push through until they reach the surface and bloom into their full height and glory. It makes him proud.
He had been a little nervous and unsure back when his late mentor first showed him how to care for all the different plants, they didn't all grow in the same way. Some needed more water than others, some needed less. Certain seeds didn't like being pressed too close together and some plants shouldn't be near each other at all. It had been a lot to remember but now, he could confidently say that he had everything handled.
If he was honest, the plants reminded him of IceClan itself. Tenacious, unwavering in the face of difficulty and strive, continuing to grow despite the many challenges they faced. He was honored to be their medicine cat, a task not to be taken lightly.
Nursing cats back to full health took a lot out of one cat and bringing visions from StarClan was not always easy. He needed to interpret their messages correctly, or face the dire consecuences. But everyday, IceClan gave him back the effort he gave them twice over, hunting to fill their stocks of fresh-kill, patrolling the borders and looking out for danger, apprentices offering to help water the herbs, older kittens stopping the younger ones from rushing into his den and eating things they shouldn't before their parents got the chance too.
IceClan was doing well all things considered, nothing big had happened in a while. He could kind of understand why Froststar appeared so worried lately, wondering when the next storm would hit. Doveshadow thought he'd rather not think about it, but maybe the white tom had a point. They should atleast be prepared in case something did happen. Perhaps he should take it up with the leader sometime?
But it was late, sun already gone and moon rising up in the sky. Doveshadow curled up into his nest, ready for a new morning.
