It had been a fine, peaceful day, so naturally Adala had to turn it on its head, just to be contrary.

Aldric winced, and shooed that thought away. That was no way to think about one's sister, even if it was true. He raked his fingers through his hair, and said "You're telling me my little sister will be going to Luthadel on her own?"

Adala didn't answer him, and after a few seconds he looked down at her. She was glaring at him, and as soon as their eyes met she said, very slowly, "Big sister."

He raised his eyebrow at her, somehow drawing attention to their height difference. Her eyes only narrowed further, and after a few moments of silence Aldric shrugged, raked his hands through his hair again and said, like a bad actor saying his lines, "You're telling me my big sister will be going to Luthadel on her own?"

The man was diffident, as he should be, but Aldric couldn't help but be amused by his subservience. He had every intention of giving this man his money, he really wished he could just say that. But no, there were protocols that had to be followed. He was not his sister, he would follow them to the letter.

-The Grand Tour

Aldric rarely made it a habit to dislike people. Nobles were political creatures after all, their machinations were par for the course. But they at least knew how to treat their betters. Aldric was not used to people treating him with anything less then respect. He was, after all, a Venture. This Wilor Zerrung had not seemed to have gotten the memo. Perhaps it was some misstep in his parents' education, or some personality quirk. Regardless, Aldric would correct this oversight with extreme prejudice.

-Before The Ball