He did not sit on a high stool under a canopy while servants fanned him with ostrich feathers. He rode out at dawn—bare-chested, spear in hand, horse sweating before the sun rose high. His warriors followed in loose formation, no rigid ranks, no polished armor. They wore wrappers tied at the waist, leather amulets, and the scars of battles already won. They laughed easily, sang old hunting songs, and obeyed without question
