This is the day that EJ promised we would start our journey to coming to some sort of understanding; like that's really possible. The guy has some serious issues, and I'm not sure one weekend is going to solve it. However, EJ assures me that some progress will be made this weekend, but he didn't specify further.

We make it to the cavern and start setting up for the weekend. Hunter is grumbling in the corner, and I look at Jonah and just roll my eyes. Apparently EJ sees me and just shakes his head; a clear indication that he wants me to behave. What is it going to take to make this boy see sense?

As soon as we're done, EJ has us gather at the fire ring.

"Now Dominic, I want you to concentrate on the flames, watch their colors, feel the way the changing breeze changes their direction, feel that power building in you - once you get to a specific point, which you will feel, try and do something different with the flame other than shift its direction and bring flames into your hands to form fire balls. Concentrate on forming the flame into another shape other than a ball for instance a column, or a more oval shape that might resemble a tiny missile."

"Or a heart." Jonah jokes from beside me.

EJ lets out an exasperated sigh. "Really, Jonah? We have plenty of time to joke when I am not trying to teach you guys more magic techniques."

A whispered "sorry" comes from my left.

"Now, try to make a different shape."

I concentrate on the fire - it's colors and movement - I remember what the energy from fire magic feels when it courses through my veins. The heat starts to build from my center out to my hands. First I move my hands in a circular motion to create the sphere - a chuckle comes from my left - damn Hunter double dame his attitude. I'll show him. I move my hands further away from each other until a column of fire is seen between my two outstretched hands. I move my hands closer together and try to transfer the fire from my left hand to my right. I hold a flame in my right hand for a second before it burns out.

"That was a good try. The column wasn't bad, and you did attempt to do something different by trying to do something with only one hand. It is something you can practice, yes, but at this moment, it might be a better use of time to continue practicing making different shapes with both hands first. You can make just about any shape you want including letters and symbols. This has been proven helpful in situations where the Elementalist is in an open space and needs to get a message to someone far enough away that they can't speak to one another."

"Hunter, lets work with you away from the fire where it might be easier for you to channel the energy of the air. Moving air is a little easier for a new user of air magic to manipulate."

"Why?" Hunter asks from behind me.

An intelligent question for once. Maybe there is hope for him yet.

"Other than the fire hazard from the combination of swirling air and an open fire? You can potentially see more effects of the air, so you can work more effectively with finding the energy in the air you will need to channel to work with your air magic. Once you're better and more used to the feel of connecting with the energy within the air, you can move on to finding your way in channeling the air's energy in more confined situations where it will take more concentration."

Hunter just nods. Maybe the ass kicking he got from Tally has helped him come to the realization that he needs to take this more seriously. It's obvious Tally has been working in her free time with her air magic since she has to do the Protector training as well as elemental training.

Jonah has some of the easiest and most difficult magic to work with this weekend. We are surrounded by earth and we are surrounded by earth. A good but potentially dangerous situation for people staying within a cave. EJ is going to have Jonah do his elemental magic away from the cave along a mountain path. The path winds up a hill and over a rocky outcrop to a small clearing on the other side of the cavern; at least it feels like we hiked quite a bit of time.

The sun is high in the sky by the time we stop for Jonah's training.

"Jonah, you have a pretty diverse type of elemental magic. Not only can you work with rock and soil but also with plants. This gives you a variety of materials to work with. You've learned how to bring smaller particles to your hands to form spheres like the other users, but now we are going to work with using the energy from the earth to project rocks or we could have you work with making plants help you with something. For example, making a vine grow around an enemy's leg."

Jonah looks around the clearing and then back to EJ. "What is the vegetation like on the islands? What am I most likely to encounter? I'm positive it doesn't look like this."

"Now, that's another smart question! I'm happy that you all are taking this seriously. The islands have a diverse topography, so you might work with plants like this. But there are two things to keep in mind. Different plants grow in different areas, but all plants have to have some sort of connection with the soil. So, it is up to you what you want to try."

"Since I know I can work with some sort of soil now, how about we work on using the energy within plants."

"Great idea. Look down at the ground at the plant life around you. Pick the smallest piece of plant life you see, in this case it looks like ..."

EJ looks around at the same time Jonah does.

"There is a weed right there," Jonah says, pointing at some sort of green thing sticking up from a bare patch of land near some pine trees.

How did he even see something that small?

"Nice observation, and that is the perfect size for you to attempt this. Come closer."

EJ waves Jonah closer to where this "weed" is. I follow closely behind being curious as to what Jonah will be able to do. I feel something to my left and guess Hunter is actually paying attention. Damn. This is a change. Double Damn. Miracles happen everyday.

The smell of pine draws drifting on the slight breeze me back to Jonah and EJ.

"Look at the weed. Feel the energy from the surrounding earth, the mountains, the trees, anything directly connected to the earth. If it has a root system, it is connected to the earth. Feel the energy build as you start to connect with its life essence. Once you feel like you have built up enough magic, try to make the weed grow taller," EJ tells Jonah.

I stand waiting for something to happen. Nothing happens. Everyone stands in silence waiting for the weed to grow.

Eventually Jonah huffs.

EJ takes a step towards Jonah and puts a hand on his shoulder. "What is wrong?"

"I don't feel the connection to the plants like I think I should."

An understanding smile spreads across EJ's face. "And that's okay. It's not always easy at first to connect with it. The best advice I've heard was another Earth Elementalist teaching new students. If you don't feel the connection, come out into an area surrounded by living things. The easiest at first to manipulate are the smaller plants. Sit out in nature and meditate. For this type of meditation, keep your eyes open and concentrate on one plant. Try to imagine what type of energy it must pull up to grow and thrive. Try to connect to that energy, not to strip the energy from that plant but you are kind of trying to understand the needs of that plant. Where does it get its nutrients? What makes it grow? Once you feel like you are more understanding of that individual plant, try to give it the extra boost it needs to grow quicker than it already is."

EJ looks around at all of us gathered around him as the darkness grows. I think that's enough for tonight. We're all tired and need to eat and then get some sleep. Without other means of entertainment, my suggestion is to meditate before bed, maybe some very light exercise after dinner, but nothing too vigorous. We all need to be well rested for tomorrow."

I chuckle. "Yeah, other means of entertainment."

EJ turns and frowns at me.

"What?" I shrug. "It's true."

EJ shakes his head before grinning. "Let's head back to the cave. We need a good meal—well, a decent meal before we start training again."

After lunch of sandwiches and chips—a far cry from Mia's cooking, EJ starts with Hunter.

"The biggest thing you need to remember is to concentrate and maintain attention to what you're doing and your surroundings."

I'm behind Hunter so he can't see my eye roll, but EJ does and gives me a disappointed look. I sober up to this; I don't want him upset with me.

To get my mind back to the present, I  think of the only thing that can in this situation; I think about Ande. I will have to guard her one day while still loving her. Hell, when did this happen? I think back to the past three weeks and smile. Happiness floods my body and the wind whips up. I don't pay it any attention since Hunter is supposed to be working on his air elemental magic.

"Um ... um ... Dominic you might want to stop whatever you are doing," Jonah says from my left.

My eyes open to debris swirling around us.

"I can't do that," I say pointing at the flying material.

"If you're thoughts don't stay focused, you could produce enough heat to warm the air. The warm air will displace the colder air, therefore the heated air caused this mini whirlwind. Which is something I find almost impossible in this hot, humid environment." He tilts his head to the side and purses his lips. "That's a lot of heat."

I don't argue with him, because I'm still in awe of being able to create a whirlwind. The debris stops moving, and I look to EJ.

"You cooled yourself down. I believe I'm going to have to teach this lesson now. You might blow the cabin away when we get back."

As I am about to protest, a laugh erupts from Jonah that bounces off the trees, and he doesn't stop. He holds his sides. "Have mercy on me."

"I can't give it to you," I say while questioning how all of that was this funny.

EJ snaps his fingers. "That's enough. It isn't something I expected to have to teach you all to control yet. Of course, you have to be the problem child." EJ says; his eyes twinkling.

We spend most of the rest of the weekend working on controlling emotional extremes, and how to get them back in control. Now I'm understanding what these lessons were for; at the moment, at least. How am I going to be Ande's Guardian and not burn the forest down?