Chapter Seven: Dream-World
Beechtail was having a nightmare; shadowy forms ran in every direction, the sounds of fighting echoed all around, mingled with cries of pain. He found himself face to face with the ferret that had killed Flodrun. Beechtail's hand shot to his sword hilt, and then he realized that the sword he had taken from the ferret was the one the ferret was using. Beechtail took a step backwards. The ferret laughed evilly, "Still a coward? There's no one to save you this time."
Beechtail felt a paw touch his shoulder. A calm voice said, "Here, use my sword."
Beechtail looked over at the newcomer. He couldn't really see it, like it was something he was watching out of the corner of his eye. However, he was soon distracted by the sword. A red pommel stone and a black leather hilt ended in a magnificent blade. Beechtail grasped the sword and swung it experimentally. The hilt felt strange, like wood, but the sword was incredible. It was more than an extension of his arm, it was his arm. He turned back to the ferret. It leaped at him. Beechtail swung the sword through the ferret. It went right through, and the ferret vanished.
"YAAAGGHHH"
Beechtail shot up. It was still dark. He was on the raft. He glanced over at Maplefur; she was moaning and clutching her head. "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay, I was having a good sleep, and then you had to ruin it by bashing me on the head with a pole," snapped Maplefur. She glared furiously at him.
Beechtail was mystified, "What pole?"
Maplefur's eyes narrowed, "What pole? Maybe the one in your hand?" She said sarcastically.
Beechtail glanced down, sure enough; the pole Lutran had used to push the raft was clutched in his paw. He was speechless for a second, and then he remembered his dream. The realization of what had happened hit him, and in spite of Maplefur's glare, he laughed.
"Hahahaha I was just hehe, oh, I can't say it hehehe, it's too funny hahahahaha…"
Maplefur's glare got even angrier; if possible, "It's not funny." She rolled over without another word.
It took Beechtail some time to get his mirth under control. "Maplefur, I'm sorry, I was just dreaming, and..." He paused. Evidently Maplefur's head was not paining her anymore; she was fast asleep. Beechtail let go of the pole, and curled back up. She'll be fine in the morning, he thought. After making a mental note not to ever wake Maplefur up in the middle of the night again, he drifted off into a dream-free slumber.