"This is watermint. Used for-" Mossleap began, but I cut her off abruptly.

"Bellyaches. It's also a good replacement for catmint if we don't have any," I explained. I've been sent here to clean out bedding enough times to know the use of a simple herb like watermint! I scoffed silently. Then I realized I had just interrupted my mentor. Great, job, Idiot.

But when I looked up at Mossleap, she looked pleased, whiskers twitching in surprise. "I didn't think you knew that," she meowed.

I swallowed a growl. It's a simple bellyache herb! I'm not stupid! I plastered a fake smile across my face. "I heard you telling Fernbounce about it when he came in with a stomach ache a few moons ago," I responded truthfully.

Mossleap nodded in approval. "A good memory comes in handy for a medicine cat," she commented. I twitched my ear stiffly in acknowledgement.

My mentor went on to show me a few more herbs and explain their uses.

"Chervil leaves help to cure infection if chewed into a poultice, and if we're short on watermint or juniper, chervil roots can be swallowed to help bellyache."

A warm breeze ruffled my pelt through the crack in the den. I glanced out the den entrance and saw that it was almost sunhigh. The patrols were just returning, their jaws laden with prey. I felt my mouth begin to water hungrily.

"Cloverpaw, I hope you're paying attention," Mossleap said pointedly.

I snapped my gaze back to her. "Of course," I replied.

She narrowed her eyes. "What did I just say?"

Uh...I have no idea. "Dock soothes scratches and coltsfoot helps shortness of breath?" I guessed.

Mossleap looked faintly surprised once more but shook her head. "No, I was explaining that if you chew up horsetail into a poultice and apply it to a wound, it will treat infections. Before infection arrives, marigold leaves and flowers will also be applied in a poultice to keep away infection."

I tilted my head. "But isn't marigold used for stiff joints? That's what Honeyblossom used on Dappledust last moon when rain soaked her nest while she was asleep," I remembered.

Mossleap purred. "Yes, it is also used for stiff joints. But usually we'll use comfrey root or ragwort leaves for that, since scratches happen often and we don't want to risk infection."

I whisked my tail. Memorizing herbs is much easier than hunting mice, I thought. It was sort of a nice change. Suddenly a low growl rumbled from my belly and I glanced sheepishly at my stomach, giving my chest fur a few embarrassed licks.

Glancing up at Mossleap, the medicine cat looked amused, whiskers twitching. She flicked her tail in the direction on the den entrance. "Go get something to eat. I'm going to keep sorting herbs," she mrrowed.

I nodded gratefully and bounded out of the den. As I padded to the fresh-kill pile, Creekfall raced up to me. He was holding a small chub. Behind him, his sister Streampaw was carrying a few minnows.

My eyes lit up. "Fish! Where did you find them?" I asked incredulously, pelt sticking up in disbelief and awe.

Creekfall purred. "There's an unfrozen pond at the edge of our territory, by the twolegplace! It was full of fish!" He turned and nodded to the rest of their patrol- Streampaw's mentor Graystorm, Mirewind, and Flowerheart.

All three of them had minnows and chubs hanging from their jaws.

Mapletail raced up to the patrol, fur lifted in shock. "How did you find all of this?" she asked in surprise.

Graystorm glanced at Flowerheart warmly. "Flowerheart found a pond near the twolegplace! The edges were frozen, but the middle was still water!" he exclaimed proudly. Of course Flowerheart found it, I thought bitterly.

Mapletail turned to the black and white she-cat, who was looking in embarrassment at her paws, and meowed, "Good job, Flowerheart."

For a moment I wasn't sure I had heard correctly. Mapletail praised someone? I wondered in bewilderment. She's only ever praised me once!

I looked at Creekfall. His eyes were narrowed as he stared at Mapletail. He took a step forward, claws unsheathing.

I felt my throat go hot with fear. Is Creekfall going to challenge Mapltail?