she was in battle-array formidable as a crusader , great heavy plates of iron slung across the vulnerable expanse of her breast , with a fine mesh of chain beneath to protect the belly , and the spikes bristling down her spine were sheathed in caps of iron , as were her talons , and these were yet discolored a little with blood ; mrs. erasmus gave him to understand that this was the king , mokhachane , and his eldest son moshueshue .