The riders came at first light on the eleventh day, and Rhys had them counted before they crossed the stream: nine, in good order, in the King's colours, with a man in a wide flat face at the front.
And behind them, on a grey horse, without a coat, sitting badly and holding the pommel with both hands, Garrick Vale, alpha of Blackthorn — who had ridden nine days in December to be present, because a father does not send other men to do this to his son.