A Dreamer's Knight

Chapter 3 - Homestead

"What planet are you from?"

"Earth."

"Why do you have weapons?"

"I'm a Knight of the Star."

"That's cool. You a magi?"

"Elementalist."

"Is that like energist?"

"I'm ... not sure."

"I'm a spell-shaper myself. You have heard about spell-shapers, right?"

"No."

"We store spells in staves, crystals ... anything with a proper enchantment matrix. Easier to carry, easier to use, easier to alter later to fit any situation. I'm still in school, but I'm gonna be as good a spell-shaper as my father."

"Great."

"Yeah, I know! I'm the top of my class. No one's really surprised though; dad was head of the class in his day too. My mom thinks I try too hard, but I want to be known for being more than some spoiled twip."

"Uh-huh."

This had been going on pretty much from the moment they started down the path. Mikaen knew that it was only natural for Jeronem to be curious, but the constant questioning was growing more than a little tiresome.

"What's your planet called again?"

Mikaen suppressed the urge to let out a tired sigh. "Earth."

"What's Earth like?"

"Don't you ever stop talking?"

"Come on! What's your planet like?"

"It would take too long to explain."

"That's okay. It's a good half-hour before we reach Homestead."

Mikaen came to a halt. Jeronem continued on for a few more feet before realizing that his new friend stopped walking.

"What's wrong?" Jeronem asked.

"Look, kid ..."

"Jeronem."

"Jeronem. There wasn't much left in my life to care about, and now what little there was is on the other side of the galaxy, maybe even the universe for all I know. There's a very good chance that I'll never be able to get back home. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother the hell out of me, so I'd appreciate it if you could please just hold off the interrogation."

Jeronem smacked himself in the side of his head. "Oh! I'm sorry! I'm being a pest! I'll be quiet. Not a peep." He made a lip-buttoning gesture.

A few moments of relative silence passed as the two continued along the path.

"So what's Earth like?"

Mikaen glared at Jeronem, but the sight of Jeronem's childish face and curious expression made his annoyance fade. Jeronem was just acting like what he was: a kid who just met an alien.

"Earth's not that different from Vinta, I suppose." Glancing up at the treetops so high that there were actually clouds floating beneath the leaves, Mikaen said, "Though I'll admit there are some differences."

"You said you're a knight. What's that like?"

"It's been better." Mikaen stared at the ground as he walked.

Jeronem squinted at him. "Huh. There it is again."

"There's what again?"

"Some kind of overlaid thought. It's been in your mind since I first asked about Earth."