Chapter Three: Hate and Longing: Part Two

"Aldric," A teenage boy yelled, leaping onto a lump in the bed sheets.

Aldric started kicking the boy though the blankets, "Get off me."

"Never," The boy said. "I, like many of your enemies wish to, will suffocate you."

Aldric made himself go limp, and stared straight into his brother's brown eyes.

The boy pulled himself into a sitting position. "Well I guess I could just contented sitting here till Eris shows up, all angry at you for making her fetch you."

"Or," Aldric said. "You could let me go now, and she won't be upset with you."

"She would never be upset with me. I am her older brother."

"You would also be in need of fetching."

"She would understand."

Aldric shrugged. "We'll see."

It took two minutes for a strawberry blond haired girl to rush into the room.

"Aldric you better get-" She paused her shouting. "Hemlock!"

The boy's eyes went wide as he scurried off the bed. "What? I didn't do anything."

Aldric spring up and of the bed in a flash, "Sorry Eris. I was going to get up, I promise. It was just-"

Eris ran and grabbed him, worry filling her eyes.

"What happened to you? Who did this? Were you attacked?" She asked.

She had his face at an uncomfortable angle, his job throbbed.

"Does Alde have a battle wound?" Hemlock said, his voice full of joy. "Will it scar?"

Aldric pushed his sister's burn scared hand away. "It isn't anything to worry about."

"Yes it is," His sister insisted. "You have a huge bruise on your face. Someone attacked you."

"No one attacked me."

"How do you explain it then? Did you run into your bedpost last night?"

"Mother."

"What about her?"

"She was angry with me."

"Oh."

Then, as if summoned, the monarch strode into the room.

"Hollow Morn," She said, a bright smile lighting her face. "Hurry down to breakfast," She said. "I have a day of fun planned for Hemlock and I. I don't want to waste time. Hurry."

As she left the room, she added, "Aldric, cover that nasty rash of yours, on one wants to see it."

Aldric's face became as red as his bruise.

Hemlock patted his shoulder as he left. "Tough luck dude," Then he smiled and walked off.

His sister gave him a sympathetic look as she followed behind them.

Aldric didn't go to breakfast.