it was a virtual pyramid of loathing constructed with a foundation of insubordinate horses on the bottom ( one hateful palomino in particular ) , a row of influential families above that ( the long-haired brat and hick-king , mostly ) , a layer of military personnel atop that ( the scrawny general , chief among them ) , and finally , serving as the evil capstone of this wicked structure , the mad , mad halfling .