CHAPTER EIGHT
J
ust
as the Council had planned, the chariots swung into line, four deep, and cantered up the rise to the brow of the slope. Each chariot, drawn by two chargers, carried its leader, his companions, a spearman tied to the central shaft, and footmen hanging onto the tailboard, ready to leap off into the press and use their axes when the chariot struck.
Not a word was spoken or a banner raised as the slow movement was made, but all looked towards the royal chariot, which was leading, ahead of the front rank by twenty paces, its red dragon standard trailing behind it, not to be raised until the charge was begun. And the following tribesmen saw the King, dressed now in his scarlet cloak over his gold breastplate, lean to his nearest companion and embrace him. From the silver
