Disclaimer- This is the first time I've ever written one of these, so it applies to every chapter of every book I've written. So, I do not own Redwall or Mossflower. So far, all the characters are mine. Do not use any of these characters, especially Jio Blackpaw, the mousemaid (Sworddance) or Goldpaw the ferret. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

Your friendly neighborhood author,

Neema Tallgrove Colorfur

Chapter Eight

"So, mouse, what is that thing that ya wear in yer wrist?" Goldpaw asked anxiously after all the squirrels have left.

"It's the emblem of the squirrels. It's a medallion of a tree. If you look really closely, then you can see a squirrel in the tree."

"Oh, so, where'd ya get it?" the wolf asked.

The mouse looked at the bracelet. After a while she finally answered. "The squirrels gave it to me after I learned the trade of using a bow and arrow. Any squirrel who sees this must respect the creature wearing it." The other two nodded, starring at the bracelet.

"I bettcha I could get one o' those!" the ferret said.

"Not over me dead body, 'less ya steal it from me dead body!" the wolf said to the ferret.

"Don't start this again, wolf! Or you'll be answerin' ta me blade!"

"You wouldn't dare! My paws could beat yer liddle knife any day!"

"You wish!"

The two, wolf and mouse, went tumbling to the ground. Goldpaw burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Stop, 'fore ya kill me! Hahaha! Hohoho! Hehehe! Oh! Stoppit! Hahaha!" Goldpaw was rolling on the ground as much as the other two were. Jio and the young mouse got up. The ferret was still rolling around helplessly.

"Goldpaw, ya all right? Goldpaw?" Jio attempted to pick him up, when she got him to his paws, he just fell down again.

"Lookit what ya did now, mouse! Yer gonna kill him!"

"I didn't do nothin', wolf, you started it!"

"No, I didn't!"

"Yes you did!"

The argument went on and on. Goldpaw finally sat up, tears rolling from his eyes. He tried to stifle giggles as he watched his two friends argue.

"Will ya two SHUT OOP!" someone exclaimed.

The two stopped instantly. They stared at the ferret.

He looked around. "What I-hahaha!-do?"

"Didn't you yell?"

"No."

"Io did." A strong looking mole stepped out from the bushes along the path.

"Jio, close yer eyes! It's a mole!" The wolf's mouth watered.

"Mmm! I like a liddle bit o' mole!"

The mole took out a weird looking weapon made with a split stick and a string. He chose a pebble from his pouch, fitted it on the little string, and fired it at the wolf. It struck her right between the eyes.

"That'll shut yer friond oop."

"What is that.that.thing?" the mouse asked looking at the weird object the mole was holding.

"This 'ere, mizzy, is a sloing shot. It 'as deadly accuracy." He chose another pebble, and aimed it at a tree. "Io bettcha io can 'it that thurr tree, roight in thy 'ole." The two looked right at a little hole in the tree. He let the string go, and the little pebble disappeared into the hole. The two stared where the pebble had gone. After many moments of silence, the mouse spoke.

"So, when will our friend the wolf wake up?"

"Io'd say abowt foive minutes. Boi boi, froinds!" He started to walk away.

"Wait!" Goldpaw yelled after him, "Do have any extra sling shots?" Without turning around, the mole tossed one of those weird weapons over his shoulder.

"If'n anybeast arsks yer wurr ye got et, tell um Floid gave et to yers." With that, the strong mole walked off.

About five minutes later, Jio awoke. "What happened?"