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     “Don’t worry, my son.  There are others who have it worse than we do.”

     “True mother,” his mother could always calm his heart.  He walked on until he heard a horse whinny.  There was an opening in the trail ahead of him.  He took an arrow out of his quiver and put it in the bow.  When he got to the opening she saw Salt leaning against the tree.  They had met on several occasions, but Sundjata did not know him well.

     “Are you going to use that on me?”  Salt asked.

     “I heard your horse.  I am not very popular of late,”  Sundjata said, putting the arrow back in the leather quiver.

     Salt smirked and stood up.  “Let’s try and keep you alive for a while.”

     “I would appreciate that.”  Sundjata looked back to see his sister and mother catching up.

 

     The mansa kept a large standing army and the battalion commanders were among the more important officials at the royal court.  Each army battalion consisted of a small elite corps of horsemen and a large body of foot soldiers armed with bows and spears.  The army was used to protect the empire from outside attack, patrol trading routes and to ensure district chiefs paid their tribute to the king. (from History of Africa 3rd edition by Kevin Shillington p.103)