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“Try again.” Lucidia commanded, “You had better form that time.”

Cassia took a deep breath and lifted her arms out to the sides. She took a step and gently placed her foot onto the cool water of the pond. She clenched her fists concentrating on making the surface firm enough to stand on. A bulge began to form around her foot.

“Relax!” Lucidia instructed. “Don’t let the water swell or it will collapse under you. Yes. That’s right a smooth surface. Now try to stand on it with both feet.”

She placed her whole weight on the water’s surface and the pond was calm with slight ripples spreading from her feet. Lucidia made a rock hover and drop into the water across the pond causing ripples to spread over to where Cassia stood. The ripples made Cassia loose her firm footing and the water beneath her began to sway with irregular ripples and inconsistent densities. She tripped and fell into the water.

“You were better that time.” Lucidia reassured her. “Take a break.”

Cassia gladly stumbled over to a tree and collapsed against the trunk.

“Flora let’s see your progress.”

“Fire or earth?”

“Whichever is more challenging.”

The air seemed to heat up around Flora’s hands. Suddenly with a burst of light a flame filled the air above Flora’s hands before diminishing into a flame about the size of her hands.

“Can you move it around yet?”

Flora stepped to the side moving the hungry flame through the air. It began shrinking so Flora pushed more energy into it trying to increase it’s size.

“It needs to eat something or it will die out.”

“Your elements fuel off of your energy. Over time you experience and control will mature and the elements will require very little amounts of energy.” Lucidia explained.

Flora began to quiver and the flame died out as she collapsed.

“This is your second time using fire?”

“Yes.” Flora answered breathlessly.

“Very well done.” Lucidia turned to Cassia, “Let’s see your wind. You may take a break Flora.”

Cassia stood shakily and let the wind blow around the group.

“Lift yourself with it.”

Cassia spread her wings and let the wind fill pockets of air lifting her off the ground. She hovered in the air parallel to the ground.

“Do you feel fatigued at all?”

“I’m tired but the wind doesn’t drain me. It feels natural. It’s more like I’m thinking than controlling.”

“That’s how I feel when I move plants or earth.” Flora added as she made a flower bloom healthily beside her. “It’s like a part of my own life becomes a part of the object.”

Lucidia seemed lost in thought. “The lesson is over for today. Keep practicing.”

Flora had been connected with plants her whole life. She was considered a natural prodigy at times. Cassia’s story on the other hand was a mystery. “It’s more like a feeling than controlling.” Was she also a prodigy or had she been taught before? Normally if she was reliving training she would remember small things but she had said nothing. A trainer would have realized her potential with water also. Lucidia couldn’t help but be curious about her past.

“No.” Lucidia whispered, “I shouldn’t pry into what is best left unknown.”

Cassia stood close enough to hear. “You think my memories are bad? Dangerous? Do you think if I remember I’ll be different?”

“I’m worried you won’t like what you remember.” Lucidia stated firmly. “Maybe what you forgot was too painful to remember. This isn’t normal amnesia. You haven’t remembered yet and it’s been over two years. They may be permanently blocked.”

“Permanent . . .” Cassia seemed to shrink away. “But I want to remember,” her voice grew soft, “for him.”

“Cassia.” Lucidia looked at the ground as she paused before facing Cassia, “I know I’ll hurt you saying this but he might be the reason for loosing your memories.”

Cassia’s eyes grew wide as she shook her head falling to the ground.

“No it’s not his fault! Why is he always blamed for everything? He didn’t do anything wrong. He’s not a bad person. He didn’t,” her eyes grew wide as constant sparkling tears fell from her sad eyes down her cheeks, “he didn’t do . . . what?”

“A memory?” Lucidia stared astonished at the outbreak of emotion Cassia had displayed.

“I didn’t see anything. I just . . . know.”