Chapter SixThe crowds packing the streets created a riot of colour and noise. Women and children in bright, flowing clothes carried garlands of flowers, while companies of warriors gathered near the gate. The sun glittered on steel and brass and on the animals of every description that mingled with the people, bellowing or lowing as women threw flowers over their necks.
'What's that?' Bradan could not control his words as he saw the great, grey monster that lumbered toward them, driven by a man sitting on its neck.
Dhraji took hold of his arm. 'Have you never seen an elephant before?'
'Never,' Bradan said. 'Does it bite?' The huge beast was many times larger and heavier than a horse and had huge, flapping ears and great curving tusks, together with a long trunk that swayed in front of i
