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Valek blocked the next jab with his left hand, grabbed the teen’s wrist, stepped back and as he yanked the Storroin The poor boy collapsed to the deck Not very sporting, but time was critical

When he neared the bow, another Stor him He simply bowled the teen over, jabbed a dart into his neck and continued

The ulfed hiuessed she couldn’ther Balls of water flew at hi him She sucked in a breath of surprise Fear soon followed The young lady backed up and grabbed the railing

Valek had a second to wonder what she planned before the ship lurched violently under his feet The bubble of caled in Yells and cries of alarht on deck He swayed for akicked in and he adjusted to theto the wood rail as if her life depended on it She stared at hiic disappeared,

She sank to her knees and said, "Please, don’t kill me"

In that moment, with her wet hair pressed to her head, she looked twelve years old--so a baby girl flashed in his mind He dis her, but what to do with her?

"Stop the storm, and I’ll think about it," he said

"I can’t I only control the water"

"Then restore the calm"

The waves around the boat smoothed and the rain ceased The ship settled

"Is so the storlanced at the battle All his people had reached the deck, and they had the upper hand No surprise, considering the ages of their opponents Experience trumped youth in most cases

"It’s over," he said "Cooperation is the best way for you to stay alive"

Sitting back on her heels in defeat, she said, "My brother can call the storms, but he’s not on board"