At Lake’s words, every pair of eyes on deck fixed on her. Storm felt her face grow hot. She was aware of the crew’s growing belief in her power and wished she could share their confidence. All because the Elementals had chosen to make her a witch! She would never get used to it – never lose the fear of failing these men, as she had failed Dain.

She pushed the memory of her mother from her mind and glanced again at the Albatross, high overhead. What is it? she asked, knowing her plea was useless. The Elementals communicated only when they chose.

But this time the Albatross replied: it sent mist to thicken the air, and Storm’s stomach turned over. “Enemies near!” she cried.

Lake shouted an order, and the lookout high in the nest on the main mast sounded the warning bell. Its iron voice clanged across the waves. The other ships were fading ghosts in the thickening fog, but Storm heard their bells answering.

And then, beside them, out of the belly of the sea, rose the dark shape of the Dolphin. The Elemental shot into the air, larger than the ship itself. Storm flinched as the spirit rose silently from the sea, blotting out the last of the light. The Dolphin cleared the Wayfinder’s three masts and slipped, sleek and dangerous, back into its Element.

“Lower the boat!” Storm shouted to Lake, shuddering away her childish fear of the Water spirit. The Albatross and Dolphin had both shown themselves in warning. The threat was severe. She must seek out the enemy before they could attack.

Her uncle obeyed her without question: thrice now she had sailed alone to face an enemy; thrice she had conjured a gale and blown predatory ships from other islands into the far distance. In a heartbeat, a small rowing boat was in the water. Storm ran to the rope ladder held by two sailors. She was startled to see that one of them was Cloud. He would get in trouble for sure this time.

“Good luck! Wish I could come with you.” Cloud thumped her shoulder in encouragement.

Storm nodded and swung herself over the side, barely noticing the longing in her friend’s face. She clambered down the ladder and dropped into the plunging boat. The mist closed around her as she took the oars and rowed deeper into the fog. Once clear of the ship, she shipped the oars and let the Dolphin take the boat where it would. This was hardest of all – allowing the Elementals complete control.