Clone Earth : MELVIN

The horse was a beautiful dark brown Clydesdale with a thick blond mane. A horse that was twice the size a horse should be. However Chronicle was also the only horse that didn’t walk away with an attitude when Trevon needed to brush him. So when she nuzzled the top of Trevon’s head, he didn’t shrink away.

Curious about the new comer but needing to work, Trevon first led Chronicle to the fence, when Nicki ran around the barn. Out of breath she’d clearly been running. “It is you!” she gasped shrilly. “I saw rock and water flying - What are you doing here?”

“Please don’t start,” Robie answered, sounding weary despite his calm.

“That’s a genuine question,” Nicki corrected. “I want to know why you’re here. Did they kick you out?”

Robie crossed to Chronicle’s right side, tugging the leather strap, and helping Trevon slide the sweaty saddle from the horse’s back. “No, I didn’t get kicked out” he answered, a note of pain in the word. “I couldn’t do it. And please, Tara ripped into me already. I’d appreciate if you kept your comments to yourself for a few days.”

Robie stroked the animals neck, keeping her still while Trevon removed the halter. Robie was gentle to the animal, and it seemed to easily trust him.

“No. You should have stuck it out.” Nicki ordered. She was being more aggressive about this than Trevon had seen her be so far.

“She’s just saying that, because she lost the bet.” Russ corrected. Nicki’s aquamarine eyes flashed back at him. Usually one would take that as a warning to stop talking, but it’s Russ. “If you’d have held out for two more days she would have won.”

“Nicki. You bet against me?” Robie appeared shocked at first, then he paused. “Actually, that doesn’t surprise me. But if you lost, does that mean Russ won?”

Russ sighed. “I bet you’d be back two days ago. So, technically, I was closer.”

“We lost evenly.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works -”

As the two started arguing, Trevon gave Chronicle a final pat, sending her out into the open pasture. Turning back to the saddle, Robie already had the heavy leather object in his arms, carrying it to its proper place next to the stable door.

“Thank you, for your help.” said Trevon, placing the harness and blanket next to its proper saddle.

“No problem. I figured I rode Chronicle over here I might as well help him get comfortable.” Robie smiled back at the bickering friends.

“Not only for that. I wasn’t in the mood to get wet.” He motioned to Russ and Robie easily understood.

“You’re Trevon right?” Robie asked.

A bit surprised Trevon nodded, “I am.” Holding out his hand in the manner he’d learned. Robie accepted it, giving it a firm shake.

“Don’t be impressed, they’ve only told me your first name and that you’d be using all the stuff I left behind.”

“Thanks for that, by the way.” Trevon sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.

“Looks like my boots fit too. Please keep using them.” Said Robie. He obviously had sensed what Trevon had intended to say next.

“They’ve also only told me your first name, Robie. Other than that they’ve been really good at keeping you a mystery even though they talk about you constantly.”

“They’re good like that.” They both turned and watched the strictly verbal argument. “Awe. So in love.”

Trevon noticed he’d changed to topic back to Nicki and Russ. The two heard him, “Shut Up.” they shouted in unison but it somehow stopped the argument. Robie and Trevon laughed together.

“You done working?” Robie asked. After a quick scan of his surroundings. The horses were content in the open field. The stalls efficiently mucked out with fresh straw dusted across the floors. He had even succeeded in sweeping the wooden walking paths between. Trevon’s work was done, “I’ll walk back with you, I’m assuming that’s what these two came to do before I interrupted.”

Trevon suspected he was right. Gathering his gloves and tools, Trevon placed them in order just inside the stables doors. Then pushed the three friends out and down the road.

Robie collected one large duffle with his name on it. It was made of thick dark blue material and bore the official R.O.T.C. Patch for CE Melvin. Trevon made a mental note for now and fell into step beside Robie. Nicki and Russ continued to bicker about something as they took the lead up the path.

“I haven’t really taken over your side of the room though.” Trevon said restarting the previous conversation. “You can easily move back in-”

“No, Trevon. It’s yours. I was planning to crash on the McAllister floor. They easily have a few open rooms.”

Russ grinned at Trevon’s doubtful expression over the idea of someone willingly sharing a room with someone like Doug. “People have a hard time bullying Robie,” he explained over his shoulder. “He’ll be just fine up there.”

From Trevon’s experience the only type of people bullies don’t bully, are generally other bullies. Looking Robie over again, Trevon was sure that wasn’t the case. There had to be something else, “what’s wrong with you?”

Russ and Nicki’s expressions went blank. Trevon stammered, realizing how rude he was being, and immediately tried to apologize. However, Robie waved a dismissive hand and laughed as they walked. “I know. You were wondering why people don’t bully me. It’s okay.” His smile was genuine. “Unlike Russ, I don’t provoke others.”

“Provoke? Me?” Russ pretended to be insulted. He and Nicki had fallen into step a few feet a head, he kicked a thumb sized rock forward with his steady steps. “It’s Doug’s face that asks to be hit.”

“That may be true for Doug but not the eleven other guys you don’t get along with.” Nicki chimed.

The two almost started fighting again, so Robie changed the subject.

“Where are you from, Trevon?”

“I grew up on Meckam Station, in the orphanage.”

Robie’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s a strange place for a young mage to end up. Usually orphans that don’t have clan support are sent to on-world foster homes.”

“Actually, the Military placed us.”

Robie pivoted, walking backward to get a better view of Trevon with sure footing across the dirt road. “If the Military was involved, you must have someone very important in your family.”

Trevon shrugged and shook his head in a lie.

Russ snorted. “Ben Kana was a big deal.”

Trevon always suspected Russ knew his family name. Still, it was a bit of a shock when he spoke Trevon’s father’s name with such admiration.

Robie did a quick about face to mask his stunned expression. While Nicki’s brow furrowed in thought. “Ben Kana,” she repeated. “I have heard that name before haven’t I?”

“You have,” Robie said. His voice soft despite his shock, eyes glancing over his shoulder at Trevon. “Ben Kana was one of the most decorated leaders in the last century. Killed in action during the last big siege on the outer rim. It’s rumored he made Commander Mackay who she is today. He was your dad?” Trevon nodded. “Then you should be at the Academy.”

Trevon shrugged. “My sister,” his voice caught slightly as he thought of her, “She was really more cut out for it. I had this other ability that popped up that wasn’t quite in line with Military standards.”

“Magic.” Robie finished.

Trevon recovered holding his hands out in front of him, “Turns out I’m a healer, not a killer.”

“The Military’s not about killing. It’s about protecting families and homes.” Robie’s voice raised, but he stopped himself abruptly.

Russ shook his head at his friend. “All that intensity, and you still came back to this den of oppression,” he muttered, almost too low for Trevon to hear.

Robie exhaled. “Sorry about that. I just spent a whole shuttle ride listening to a group of people who blindly believe that everything can be solved with words and the military is useless.”

“The Military is not useless, but many problems can.” Trevon admitted.

“I agree but there are some people out there, who won’t listen to reason, no matter how hard you try to use it with them. In those cases, there really is only one way to protect their would-be victims.” said Robie.

“Violence?” Trevon questioned.

“Responding in kind.”

A smile pulled at the corners of Trevon’s mouth. Though he was not mentally prepared for the military mindset, he knew Robie was. But as a Mage, there was no way he’d be allowed to join.

“You don’t agree.” Robie said.

Trevon shook his head, “It’s not that. My uncle would really like you.” Robie’s head tilted and Russ snorted while smothering his laughter.

“Anyone else smell snow?” Nicki’s subject changed confused Trevon. He knew what snow was, but he didn’t realize it had a smell. Taking in a deep breath he wondered which of the new scents he was smelling was the one Nicki referred.

“First Snowfall means Hot Cider and Donuts.” Russ covered.

“Is it always food with you?” Nicki rolled her eyes.

“Of course.”

CHAPTER END