diandra had not finished translating before a rousing cheer burst forth from the crowd and then there was a commotion , an avenue in the crowd quickly parted and warriors , all painted , galloped on their horses straight into the clearing , circling , reining , reeling , horses going up on their hind legs , front hooves striking the hot air as warriors roared , pounded their chests and some unsheathed their swords at their backs and crashed them against others .