Question...s...Do you think this story is getting kind of long? I still have a lot more, but can easily shorten it. Also, is it going to fast? I feel like I am bouncing from one scene to the next and it isn't flowing. Is it choppy or am I being harsh on myself...again? Suggestions are welcomed. Thanks for all of your reviews.

Chapter 28: Florian's Rashling

I turned, ready to give the dorks battle. Singled handedly, too! They looked at me in surprise, as if they wondered why the crazy man was throwing himself at the gallows. One of the men, a burly looking fellow with a nasty gash on his forehead stepped forward, grinning cruelly. I clutched my sword and gave him a snarl of my own.

All of a sudden the man jerked back and hit the ground jolting violently. This abrupt and shocking action stopped me and the soldiers. We looked at each other in equal surprise. Where did that come from?

Another soldier collapsed in the same way. And this time I saw the source. It had been a rock. And the rock had come from a sling. The owner...the boy I had just saved.

He was standing right next to me swinging a home made crude looking sling. His face was full of confidence, excitement, and anger.

Huh. I guess I'll do it two handedly. I raised my sword and charged right at them. Someone started yelling like maniac.

Oops, I guess that was me.

As I swung my sword I made sure I didn't kill anyone and didn't draw too much blood. I just whacked at the helmets, the legs, and might have chopped a few fingers off. The screaming started again, but it wasn't me. The soldiers scattered, fell, and charged feebly. I hardly knew what I was doing as I continued to take swipes at them. A few others fell with a rock in their head, but the kid was getting too excited and his aim wasn't as true. A few seconds into the fray I realized I was talking, or yelling.

"Take that you blaggard! Don't you dare try and hurt innocent kids again, you dork! Tell your master I'll do this to him if he doesn't stop selling my people!"

Oops, wasn't supposed to say 'my'. But the guys were half dead and afraid to notice anyway.

There were suddenly more soldiers with more courage, and skill. I felt my arm grow tired. I had never fought so many men at once, and never with such hard blows. I was also stepping back, one step at a time.

Ok, maybe I couldn't do this single handedly, or double handedly.

Where the heck was Conrad!

And Minerva!

I needed her trusty true arrows.

An arrow sprang into the air and hit one of the soldiers pressing me. But it wasn't Conrad's arrow. Or Minerva's. Darn it.

But the arrow caused a ruckus in the soldiers.

"It is black!" they shrieked in horror. They looked at me with new interest and new zeal, as if I had just turned from a fat, pecking chicken to a ginormous turkey. They were hungry and would take the chance of getting hit with my sharp beak.

I wisely decided it was time to escape.

But as I glanced around me I realized my getaway was blocked, on all sides. I was surrounded! Dang it.

The kid was gone. Must've slipped out once he saw the danger, or the black arrow. There was no one in the streets, at all. It had emptied when fighting started. It was just me and the soldiers.

Gosh dang it! Where were Conrad and Minerva when I needed them! Even Rose's croaking would have helped.

The charging soldiers suddenly stopped, their mouths agape in utter shock and surprise. What was going on? Was the owner of the black arrow striding towards them? Or did I do something stupid and shocking?

Probably the latter.

That was when I felt the yank on my arm, dragging me to a small gap in the soldiers, and towards a narrow alley. What the shnikees was going on? I also realized and felt a light cloth over my head, like my invisibility cloak.

My cloak!

"But who in the world?"

"Snap that trap if you want your head, rashling."

I snapped it quick, and I was dragged further into the alley. A thousand thoughts rouse in confusion and surprise. My guide was a female; ayoung female with strong voice, like my mother's when she wanted me to do something. And what was that word, rashling? Strange word. Almost like one used by a Gaul. And how did she come to have my cloak. It was obvious it was mine. I recognized the silky substance, the color and the lightness. I loved that thing.

We finally came to stop after she had led me under a doorway, down some stairs, and into a lightened room. It looked like a cellar, with shelves stuffed with food. There were also, dishes and bedding, and even a couple of live chickens, clucking in hanging cages.

The cloak was torn off both our heads, and I was able to take a look at my next kidnapper. It was certainly a female, and dressed like a Gaul with a long colorful gown and wide beaded sash. Her face looked to be about twenty or so, my age, maybe older. It had strong firm lines, and her eyes sparked with determination and defiance. She definitely looked like a mother, seeing that she was also very pregnant. She was a very pretty mother with a pile of dark curls piled on her head, though most of them spilled out of the bun.

"Who are you?" she asked with an accent. She sounded, angry, curious, and hopeful at the same time.

"I...uh...I'm Jesse."

"No. That is your name. Who are you?"

I wasn't about to tell her I was the Crown Prince of Adelfos. No way. Did she except that? She probably thought I was someone she was waiting for, or hoping for. She wanted something to explain my actions in the marketplace.

"I am a citizen of Adelfos who does not stand back while injustice is ruling."

She smiled, pleased with my answer.

For once I think I said something very right.

"So am I. I am Madam Jellineck. I want to thank you for saving my son."

Ah! This was the Madam Jellineck I had been hearing about. Gosh. I was expecting her to be old, wrinkly, and a fat cheerful lady with white hair and glasses. Talk about the unexpected.

"And I want to thank you for saving my own neck. Where did you get my cloak?"

"Your companion gave it to me."

"You have Conrad! And Rose, do you have her too?"

"The frog and the boy are above us in my tavern," she said calmly. "Matthew, my son is seeing to their needs."

Time for the questions to start flying.

"Do you know Florian? Is he here? Can I see him? Who shot the black arrow? Why did that one woman call the soldier jealous when you were mentioned? Why don't you people revolt against Henry? Why don't you tell the king? Why did you call me rashling?"

She seemed amused and annoyed at my random flying questions. "My brother Florian is here and has wanted to see you since he shot the black arrow. Florian's black arrows are dreaded by all of his enemies, which are many, which is why we are not quite ready to revolt yet. We sent an ambassador to the king, but he hasn't even been able to get into the castle."

She became thoughtful and grew a stern look. I wondered if she was glaring at me or herself.

"Two more questions to answer," I urged.

"Of course. I called you the Gaul word rashling because I am Gaul, and because that is exactly what you are: ayoung fellow who has rash ideas. Though I must admit, very brave and just ideas. The jealous soldier is a personal matter. Only know that once upon a time he courted me, in vain. Come up to my tavern."

She turned to go up the stairs, but I stopped her with one last question, "Can I get a room for me and my companions?"

"Of course, my maid is already preparing it."

We went back up the stairs and turned off into another room. This section was her house, I guessed. But it had turned into a General's office. The kitchen table was covered with maps, letters, and plans, instead of flour, eggs, and sugar. The couches, cushioned chairs and beds were laden with swords, bows, arrows, ropes, and dirty men. The flowered curtains were replaced with darkened shutters and the floor was stained with mud and even blood.

Conrad and Rose were there, but I didn't notice them. I didn't even notice Rose wasn't talking. Standing in the middle of the room, with both hands on the table, was Florian. I knew it was him. Every fiber of my soul said it was him.

He was dressed simply with a soiled shirt, boots badly in need of mending, and a belt filled with a sword, knives, and even a hatchet. Unlike his sister he had straight, plain brown hair; I think I even saw grey hairs in it. It was cut shorter than I had ever seen on anyone. His chin was covered in light stubble, and his face was sprinkled with pockmarks. He was probably ugly according to Elaine. But Elaine was picky and rude.

Florian was noble looking. His calm, stern face and piercing, soft grey eyes could make anyone stop and look at him with admiration and awe. Which is exactly what I did.

"So you are the rashling who set a stir in the men of Henry and pushed my plans to an earlier time than I would have liked."

He called me a youngster, even though he was just a few years older than me. He stated it as a fact and said it in an angry amused tone. This guy was amazing! Even though I was Prince, I tilted my head to him in respect.

"I'm afraid so, sir," I said, but I couldn't help smiling.

"You are also the man who could help me considerably. Your skill with the sword is outstanding. I was reluctant to let my arrow fly, because I knew it would end the fight. One more man like you and we shall be quite even with Henry. So. I perceive you know who I am, our plight, my intentions, and the fact that your life and the lives of your companions are very much in my hands."

He stated it so clearly that even if he hadn't said it, I would have read it all in his eyes and looks. I didn't even have to think. "I know it all. But Florian, you don't have to use my companions as leverage. I will help you willingly. I was actually seeking you when I ran into...your nephew."

His eyes immediately softened. "I know you will. I was just testing you. Welcome, Rashling to my war. Come see what I have planned exactly."

That was that. I just become a soldier...no an actual fellow leader with Florian, one my subjects and idols. No questions asked, no titles given.

I take that back. Ever since then the town of Kadok knew me as Rashling. Once again I changed my name.