A/N Who knew my muses could be such jerks? I mean, they hit me in the middle of a story, yelling, "Hey! I got the greatest idea!" and they yank me into the muse lobby where they force me into a little chintz chair and ask me questions, then lob ideas at me, which I am forced to write. Then they drag me back up here and turn on my laptop and shove me in my wooden chair with a pillow to sit on decorated with wolves. Then they drift off and talk about the stock of Starbucks and how Shadowsong needs to write more.

Stop looking at me like that. We don't like to be stared at.

Read and review! shifts violet eyes to keys Must. Write.

Disclaimer: My muses own my stories- Brian Jacques owns Redwall. I own nothing. Not even my ideas. My muses own them. Glares at muses

(Begin Chapter Three)

"Where are they?" asked Abbess Mhera anxiously. She missed her brother and his friends. "I mean, shouldn't they be back by now?" She chewed her claws fretfully.

Tragglo Spearback patted her on the back. "Don't you fret yore rudder, they'll be back, don't worry. Huh, I'd like to see the vermin who try to take on Shadowsong and Deyna!" He grinned. "Aye, there wouldn't be much left!"

Filorn, who was in the Great Hall at the same time, smiled and hugged her daughter. "Yes, Mhera, you have no reason to worry."

She looked up into her mother's brown eyes. "You're right, Mum. I do believe their all right."

(In the woods)

The group had moved even deeper into Mossflower, but still marked trees to make sure of their way back.

Boorab sniffed the air. "I say, wot wot, I smell hot mushroom soup!"

Nimbalo snorted, remarking to the hare, "You know, I thought I did for a moment, but I suppose I was wrong. Don't make me 'ungry, mate!"

Deyna unshouldered his pack. "Let's eat, we haven't done so for the past five hours, all that tracking tired me out."

Shadowsong dropped down onto the thick, mossy floor. "I guess you're right." She took off her bag and dug into it, coming out with cheese, a flask of damson wine and a farl of rich fruit 'n' nut bread. (I've made that before, from a recipe... it was great. licks lips and gets kicked by muses)

Nimbalo and Boorab ate as if emerging from poverty. Deyna gave them a warning eye. "Eat too fast and you might get sick."

Boorab shoved a huge hunk of cheddar cheese sprinkled with walnut shreds, speaking in a thick tone, "Msh, what, mphh, this is good cheese! Shrumph!"

Nimbalo did likewise with a loaf of dried fruit nutbread. "Ah, that's the stuff!" He stuffed himself.

Shadowsong bit her lip with her canine fangs to stop from laughing. Deyna looked over to her, but she was drinking the flask of cordial and he couldn't see her tawny eyes.

After about five minutes, the gang had finished eating and were still tracking. Nimbalo picked up a piece of polished and shaped wood. "This don't look like it came offa tree. 'Ere, look at this, Deyna mate."

Deyna peered at it. It was smooth globe of oak, polished with some sort of oil. "Appears to be a marble or something."

A rough sort of squeak came from the bushes, and came tumbling out was a small fox kit, clasping a little piece of shiny glass.

Shadowsong moved swiftly and picked up the foxbabe. "Hey, where did you come from?"

The little fox waved his paws. "Emr'ld Waters, dere!" He pointed with a well groomed paw, obviously recently washed.

Nimbalo peered into the foliage. "Wot?"

Boorab stiffened his ears. "I say, my little fluffytail, where?"

The fox, still grasping the sparkly glass, pointed with his free paw. "Dere!"

A female fox, clad in an apron and holding a ladle, came out of the bushes, shaking it at the babe.

"Oh, you little scamp!" She looked at Shadowsong, Nimbalo, Boorab and Deyna. "Wot in all tail's name..."

Shadowsong handed over the Dibbun. "Excuse me, we just found him." She couldn't tell whether or not to use her glaive or shake the fox's paw. She didn't seem dangerous, more the motherly type, for vermin.

The fox made up Shadowsong's mind by sticking out her paw. "Name's Celces, and this is my kit, Shalke. Little rogue's 'caped many times, dyeing my tail gray!"

Deyna stepped forward. "Deyna, marm, but where do you live?"

Celces stroked Shalke's head. "Emerald Waters, 'tis an Abbey not far from here. Come!" She ducked into the greenery.

Shadowsong followed after her, as did Nimbalo and Boorab. Deyna hesitated, but then soon went after them.

(Later)

"'Ere's my 'umble abode," said Celces, shifting Shalke's position on her hip.

Shadowsong stared at the 'humble abode'. It was an Abbey, much smaller then Redwall, but an Abbey nevertheless.

It was a dark green color, decorated with ivy all over, and the wooden gates covered with dark and light green paint. Grass sprouted from the walls. It was only one story, but wide. The most curious thing was that a creek ran right through it, but even the water seemed green as it passed through.

"Emerald Waters Abbey. Ah, 'tis a lovely place. Sanctuary for anybeast, vermin or woodlander, searat or sand dweller."

Shalke waved the paw with the glass in it. "Can these beasts stay, muvver?"

Celces tilted her head thoughtfully. "I ain't done 'splaining." She turned to the four gawking beasts. "Y'see, Emerald Waters was built for vermin who didn't want to steal, fight, or thieve. Mostly for mothers who had no place to stay. My mate was slain fighting, and I was left alone with Shalke here." She stroked his head. "Bless 'im." She went up to the door, hidden by leaves, and knocked four times.

The door creaked open. The female fox opened the door, and went in, but came back out an motioned for the group to come in.

All them were hesitent, but Shadowsong was the first to go, then Boorab, then Nimbalo and Deyna. The door squeaked shut after them.

(Inside Emerald Waters Abbey)

"Wow..." breathed the female black wolf.

The walls were all a deep jade green. Grass grew underpaw, and trees sprouted right from the ground. It was like being in a forest inside a building, except the ceiling had large windows in it, for sunlight to filter through.

Deyna murmured to Nimbalo, "It's like being in an indoor forest!"

The harvest mouse agreed. "Aye, mate. 'Tis strange."

Celces set her babe down on a table, painted olive also, and twisted around to watch their expressions. "Lovely, ain't it?"

Boorab stared at a huge oak tree growing right out of the floor. "Tis... interesting, marm!"

The creek, with it's strange green water, snaked it's way through the Abbey. Celces spread her paws wide. "This is the eating area, and the dorms are upstairs. The infirmary is upstairs if ye are hurt or sick."

Deyna spoke to her. "We come from an Abbey, Redwall, ye might of heard of it."

Celces nodded. "Aye, for who hasn't? But I love it her, and shan't leave."

A rat, garbed in lime cloth, entered the room from a door to Boorab's left. She was carrrying a very young ratbabe. "You've found visitors, Celces!"

She nodded. "They come from Redwall!"

The rat bobbed her head. "Redwall, aye, that Abbey. By the way, Celces, lunch is almost ready. Hot mushroom soup with emerald water!"

Celces clapped her paws and picked up Shalke. "Did you 'ear that, Shalke? Come on, hup!"

The female rat nodded at Shadowsong. "You and your friends can join us, Lady-"

Shadowsong waved a black paw. "'Tis just Shadowsong, marm."

The rat smiled. "I've heard that name a'spoken 'afore. You're the last of the Moonsky wolf pack, I've heard. I once knew Cameo- was that your mother?"

Shadowsong nodded, unshed tears in her dark eyes. "Aye."

The rat led them to a table, "Come sit with us, and eat."

Boorab rubbed his stomach. "Ah, food. Your words grace the forest like moonlight on a summer eve!"

Deyna clouted his lightly on the head. "What that hungry buffon means is that he loves food."

The rat nodded sagely. "Aye, I believe it too!"

(End Chapter Three)

A/N kicks muses HAPPY?

Cameo is actually a name, and it means Shadow Portriat. I kind of like it.

Did you like the chapter? Sorry it took so long to update. This story's sort of slow... Review please! And kick my muses while you're at it...