They followed Orion to a field in the forest around the Temple. It appeared that Master Durron was the instructor of this course, titled "Control." The twins weren't sure what that meant yet but knew they would soon find out. The rest of their class arrived. This class was smaller than the history class because three age groups were together before. Now it was only one. Jaina and Jacen pushed their way up towards the front. Master Durron caught Jaina's eye and winked at her. Slowly the tension she had been feeling eased slightly. If Uncle Luke and Uncle Kyp believed in them then why shouldn't she. As the last group of stragglers, not surprisingly Faheline and two of her friends, Kyp stepped onto a rock and began to speak. "Can someone give me the definition of control?" The group stood for a second, each trainee thinking about what they'd learned and what the answer he wanted was but no one spoke. "Why is it that no on here speaks? Are you afraid? For you mustn't be afraid. Fear leads to the Dark Side of the Force. Now someone tell me what the definition of Control is. Jacen, care to venture a guess?" Jacen was pensive once more and then spoke.
"Control is the ability to manipulate any aspect of one's surroundings."
"Very good idea. Do we agree class?" The trainees looked at each other trying to see if anyone knew for sure if Jacen was right. After a sew seconds an affirmative consensus was reached. "Anyone disagree?"
Jaina wasn't surprised to hear a voice from the back of the crowd pipe-up. "Well I do, sir." Faheline had a smirk on her face. Kyp nodded for her to continue. One cannot manipulate every aspect. Not all at the same time. I doubt even you or Master Skywalker could, not to mean any disrespect. But I think it's not to manipulate as it is to wield power over something." Faheline smiled, satisfied with her answer.
"OK, so what do the rest of you think? Who is right? Are either? Are both? I won't tell you. Control is something each person must define for themselves. With that idea in mind I want you all to partner up. Jaina, Jacen, each of you should work with a more experienced person." They nodded. "Alright everyone grab a partner."
Coral immediately asked Jacen to work with her. Jaina looked around and saw Faheline heading towards Orion. I'm not going to have anyone to work with.
Jacen looked over at her and smiled sympathetically. Looking over her shoulder he saw Faheline talking to Orion and Orion shaking his head. Then Faheline stalked off. Orion began to walk towards Jaina and Jacen smiled again. Don't worry. Things will be fine.
I hope so. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Oh, hey Orion."
"Hey, you wanna work together?"
"Um, yeah, but I, uh, I thought, that you, um, were working with Faheline."
"No, I'll explain to you sometime about her. But I want to work with you."
Jaina didn't know what to say. Instead she just smiled and began to blush. She heard her brother in her head. I told you so.
Shut up.
Well I did. But you should really say something to him. He's looking at you funny. I mean I do that all the time...
WILL YOU SHUT UP!!!! "Thanks, Orion. I really appreciate that."
"No problem."
Kyp looked around to make sure that each person had a partner. "Ok, this exercise is a little harder than what you are used to. I am giving each of you a map and a rock. You will take the rock and follow the map. There you will find a maze. You and your partner must both be able to guide the rock through the maze in under a minute. At each of the areas there will be a teacher or a teacher nearby. You may begin."
"Oh, wow. You should have worked with Faheline after all. I have never really done this before. I mean, I can move things but through a maze?"
"It'll be OK. And as I said, I want to work with you. OK, you hold the rock and I'll find our station." He handed her a rock about the size of a small meteorite. She had to use both hands to carry it but it wasn't too big. "I would let you but you don't know the lay of the land yet."
"I understand." Orion looked at the map and they arrived fairly quickly at their station. "Wow, look at that." The maze was huge. Next to it was a tree with a platform attached. "I'm guessing we climb up here?"
"Probably." He saw the concern on Jaina's face. "Don't worry, you'll get it. Now, I know you must have moved things around before, right?" Jaina nodded but she was still intimidated.
