Note: As before I own nothing in this fic but Star and her clan, all others are property of Brian Jacques.


Star came awake slowly as a hare maid tapped her shoulder, she opened her eyes apart from the pain in her side she felt completely refreshed. Russano stood in the door way of the infirmary watching them.

"Are you able to stand young Star?" He asked her.

Star slowly tried to stand, she felt what little energy she had was seeping from her but she managed it. Her tunic was ruined, the back was hardly left, and whip marks were clearly visible through her stripes. The hare maid handed her a sand coloured tunic.

"I shall see you in the Mess Hall, Coral will show you the way when you are ready" Then he left.

Coral smiled at her then helped her get into the new tunic, it was slightly too short for her but she didn't mind it meant her tail wasn't going to get caught up in it like it so often did.

Coral supported Star as they steadily made their way down to the Mess Hall, Coral laughed at Star's amazement as she gave her a quick tour of the places they passed.

"I often heard tales of this place around Bloodfang's fortress but I never imagined they could be true, this place is huge."

"Well Miss you wait until we get to Redwall Abbey that place is meant to be heavenly! My mother often told me stories about it, I'm finally getting to see for myself."

They finally reached the Mess Hall; Coral led Star to the head table and sat her down next to Russano then sat beside her.

Russano passed her a beaker of strawberry cordial, a bread roll and a bowlful of soup. Star tucked in gratefully, as Russano laid out his plans to her.

"We leave for Redwall on the morrow, the journey should take less than two sunsets, we will then see if we can recruit any Redwallers or other Mossflower dwellers like the Guosim shrews. Then we shall see about finding a vessel and travelling with haste to see this Bloodfang!"

Star nodded then scowled at the mention of that name. Russano continued.

"Coral there will help you as you continue to heal up, we need you in good condition and she is accompanying us on the journey. I shall later on be hand picking the hares to come with us and those to watch over these shores in my absence."

After the hares had all finished eating Russano asked Star and his hare commanders to follow him to his forge room. Star's jaw fell open at the sight of all the weapons on the walls of the room, Russano nodded at her and she rushed over to them.

Star ran her paw over the blades of swords, dirks, daggers, rapiers then her attention fell on a longbow. She carefully lifted it and twanged on the string.

Star closed her eyes and pulled the bow to its fullest and imagined sending an arrow through the treacherous heart of Bloodfang she wanted to give him the same chance he'd given her father.

She reopened her eyes to see all starring at her; she placed the bow back where she had found it and rejoined the group.

Russano got her to explain the full powers of Bloodfang's forces to his hares; she then listened as they decided who would go and who would stay. Ashby volunteered to remain behind and guard the shores. Russano agreed saying he knew they would be safe in his command.

As Star was back in the infirmary getting her dressing changed Sergeant Ashby was informing the hares of the Long Patrol of the plans and who the army would consist of.

"I'm coming for you mother, Solar, Luna just hold on a little longer." Star whispered to herself.

Coral put her paw around Star's shoulders and whispered in her ear.

"Don't worry we'll give them the blood and vinegar! Make them think twice about ever doing wrong again."

Star smiled at Coral as she left her alone to sleep, she climbed onto the bed and arranged the blankets comfortably around her wound then sleep came to her easily.

The strange faces revisited her again they spoke to her, words she would not remember when she awoke. Then the face she knew came into view and tears found their way through her closed eye lids. She could hear his voice all around her like he was right next to her.

She knew this would never be possible. Ever.

"Father."

He was just as she remembered him, tall, handsome, his green eyes made her feel at ease once more like when she was a cub, then she began reliving that night, that horrible, horrible night.

Screams echoed around the vast mountain that is Salamandastron, Russano and almost the entire regiment of hares rushed to the infirmary to find Coral attempting to wake Star, who was screaming at the top of her voice.

Russano got his hares to stand well back he then picked Star up like she was no more than a feather; he then began to rock her like a babe.

Tears were streaming from her closed eyes; he wiped them away as he rocked her. The screaming slowly subsided soon she was sleeping peacefully again as if nothing had happened.

"Back to bed my hares, I will sit here and watch over her until dawn. Go now you need your sleep for the journey we must go with all haste I can feel it."


Another note: Thank you to RecorderOfRedwall for your encouraging reviews and here's something to make you all jealous! I'm meeting Brian Jacques on Wednesday the 9th in Milton Keynes UK. (Dances around happily!) Hope you enjoy this chapter the next one will be up as soon as I write it. Criticism is welcome also idea for Star's mother's name please I'm stumped! Thnx.