the scene flashed like thousands of camera bulbs going off as gyssians changed back into humans to take acrobatic swipes at their attackers before flashing back ; the saeire insu cavalry , armed with long lances , bows and arrows , weapons like darts and throwing stars , and wicked-looking curved and wide-bladed broadswords like scimitars , cut through the enemy advance , their aim uncannily accurate , their numbers grossly deficient .