The Paymaster amongst his bodyguards
The Paymaster is perhaps as important as the army's general, as he is responsible for all the cash which mercenaries are frightfully keen on. He guards this with is life – literally so because he carries the army's pay chest with him at all times. The pay chest is a heavy, iron-bound, secure-looking affair that the Paymaster brings to battle on a cart. This is pulled by a sturdy, non-excitable beast, such as a donkey, mule or compliant Tilean grandmother.[1a]
So that the troops can see exactly where the Paymaster is at all times, something they find reassuring, the cart is provided with a suitably impressive flag that also serves as the army's standard.[1a]