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"You never had a snowball fight with family," she said quietly, "did you?"

I shook my head and turned ht with," I said "Sometimes the kids would try, at school, but the teachers wouldn't let it happen And a lot of times the other kids did it to be s"

Charity nodded, and also looked back at the kids "My daughter How is her training progressing?"

"Well, I think," I said "Her talents don't lie anywhere close to the sa to be much of a combat wizard"

Charity frowned "Why do you say that? Do you think she isn't strong enough?"

"Strength has nothing to do with it But her greatest talents make her unsuited for it in some ways"

"I don't understand"

"Well, she's good with subtle things Delicate things Her ability at handling fine, sensitiveall the time But that sa the psychic stresses of real coe for her"

"Like stopping snowballs?" Charity asked

"Snowballs are good practice," I said "Nothing gets hurt but her pride"

Charity nodded, frowning "But you didn't learn with snowballs, did you"

Thelesson under Justin DuMorne wasn't a particularly sentimental one "Baseballs"

"Merciful God," Charity said, shaking her head "How old were you?"

"Thirteen" I shrugged a shoulder "Pain's a good motivator I learned fast"

"But you aren't trying to teach hter the same way," Charity said

"There's no rush," I said

The noise fro to furtive whispers, and I winked at Charity She glanced from the children to me, amusement evident in her face Not five seconds later Molly shouted, "Now!" andtoward me

I lifted ic, and drew it into the shape of a broad, flat disk in front of h shield to stop bullets, or even well-thrown baseballs, but for snowballs it was just fine They shattered to powder on ht as a circular plane of force centered on the outspread fingers of my extended left hand

The children laughed as they cried out their disapproval I shouted, "Hah!" and lifted a triumphant fist