Everyone else had fled the training area except Prince William’s guards and a small boy dressed in too-big hand-me-downs.
His dark head was bent in concentration as he flew through a series of katas that should have been far too advanced for his age.
Prince William approached, and faster than a bolting horse, the boy spun around and knocked the lance from William’s hands.
William stared in awe, first at his empty hands, then at the child in front of him.
She was a girl.
