His second in command rode to his side, white teeth shining in his thick black beard.
Daoud pointed up the valley. "Do you see that red and black banner and that group of knights under it? Do you see a gold crown shining on a helmet? That is Charles d'Anjou, he who would steal our lord Manfred's throne."
"I see him, Emir Daoud. May God send him to the fire whose fuel is men and stones."
"May we be permitted to help God send Charles d'Anjou to that fire. There is nothing between him and us but men fighting one another and a line of foot soldiers we can sweep away with our arrows."
"I see, My Lord. I see."
"Pass the order to charge. Charge at the red and black banner."
"Gladly, My Lord. Death to Charles d'Anjou!"
The blue flags, signal for a charge, rose and waved over the Sons of the Falcon. Daoud felt the tension build in the men riding beside him. He unslung his double-curved Turkish bow and held it high for all his men to see.
The naqeeb who carried the banner rode out before them, holding up the green silk with its verse from the Koran.
"Yah l'Allah!" Daoud shouted. He put all his strength, all his will, into the cry.