Red // Otto Hightower (1)

16. Alaric

"Alaric!" Aelsa declared hugging him tight. "Where is father, didnt he travel with you?" 

"No, something came up." Alaric answered hugging his sister. "It's okay, I'm a man." He reminded her. 

"Almost 13." Aelsa agreed kissing his forehead. "I have so much planned but you let me know what you need and I will-" Aelsa followed his gaze to Larys. "Thats my friend Larys." Aelsa remarked. "He's got club foot too." She added gently. 

"I never met anyone like me." Alaric whispered. 

"YOu want to meet him? He's a good man." Aelsa remarked. "His father is on the small council with me." 

"I was wondering how long it would take you to bring that up." Alaric mused. 

"What ever do you mean?" Aelsa feigned ignorance with a big smile. 

"Hand of the king and all that," Alaric agreed, she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. 

"yeah," Aelsa tossed her hair back over her shoulder. "I'm kind of a big deal here." she agreed. "Larys!" she waved over at him. 

"This must be the infamous Alaric," larys remarked reaching out a hand. 

"I am," he agreed, ALaria looked to Aelsa. "YOu talk about me?" 

"Of course, you are my favorite. I hate being stuck with Ty and Jason when I want my little brother here." Aelsa agreed.  Alaric smiled looking around. He had been used to the bullies back home, he thought the capital would be worse, thats what his father told him. Thats what Aelsa's aunt Ceira told him. He wanted to visit Aelsa, he loved his big sister but he was scared and since he wanted to be a knight, he knew it was impossible but he still wanted it- he couldnt be scared of anything. Especially not mean, cruel people making fun of him for something he was born with. 

"What happened to your old cane? The one I sent you a few moons back? Did you not like it?" Aelsa questioned seeing his splintered cane. 

"I loved it," Alaric corrected. "It broke, I'm sorry." SOmeone had taken it and snapped it. Alaric was so mad. He tried to chase after the boys that did it but he stumbled falling to the ground his foot throbbing in the process. 

"We will get a new one while you are here," Aelsa suggested. 

"I like your cane, Lord Larys." Alaric remarked. 

"It's a new material, doesnt break so easy" Larys remarked. "Your sister helped me find it."

"Befriending us cripples, Aelsa." Alaric mused. 

"I have a soft spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and carrot cake." Aelsa agreed kissing his cheek. 

Otto didnt want to be too presumptuous as to think that Aelsa told her brother about them. But they would be staying at his house during Alarics stay. 

Otto saw Aelsa and Alaric with larys and he felt a pang of jealousy. Over Larys of all the people in the world to be jealous of, it was ridiculous.

"You hungry? Tired? Want to explore? Want to see my office?" Aelsa questioned. 

"Show me your office or else you are going to be nudging at it this whole trip." Alaric remarked. 

"YOu know your sister well." Otto remarked coming up behind them. 

"Alaric this is my counter part, Otto Hightower. He has generously offered to host us while you are here." Aelsa remarked. Otto stuck out a hand, Alaric shook hesitantly. 

"We are not staying in the castle?" Alaric countered. 

"Unless you want to." Aelsa agreed. "Its crowded and cramped and I'm still looking for a place of my own, but we can stay here if you want." Aelsa assured.