Quills: the Rise of the Northern Matriarch-Chapter 84: The Banquet (3)

"We are just about to reach the table, where are they?" Nora said in Korean to Kai. She reached for Kai's hand to calm her nerves and found it. She wished that Kadir was with her too. She turned her head to find him following them and heaved a relieved sigh. She lost sight of Liem behind a group of people. She hoped that he would catch up soon. He was more acquainted with people of society than she or her quietest spouses were. Seril looked back anxiously before they made their way to the Hudai's lead table. She wished he would leave already.

'Oh no, why did he run off like that? Is this not important?' Nora seethed. Here was the pond in which their big fish swam. She felt intimidated looking at the woman with the friendly smile in front of her. She felt shy. How would one speak with a monster? She made Joanne Dennehy look like mother of the year and Ghislaine Maxwell seem like Princess Diana.

"It is an honor to have you here. I was thrilled when you accepted." Lara Hudai said as she looked over from the table at one of the guests she was excited about meeting. She was glad Clan Quill accepted the invitation to attend her birthday banquet. They were a reclusive and up-and-coming group. Matriarchs across the world sent their sons across the globe to her banquet just for this chance. All of her sons were present tonight and were wearing the finest clothing. She smiled at the exotic foreigner in front of her. Nora gave her best shy smile.

"The honor is truly mine, Matriarch Hudai. Many happy returns on this day when you were born." Nora said, awkwardly, as possibly wanting to give the impression that she was still learning. They decided it was best that she hid her intelligence from the outside world.

"Very good, keep it up, she does not seem threatened." Kadir said in Korean and switched like he was informing her." - Birthday." Kadir continued in Calloran.

"Yes, apologies. Birthday." Nora said in Calloran and smiled.Liem came up behind her.

"You forgot the gift." Liem said, finally making his way to the group. He had just explained why Cerez was not there to his mother. He hung behind to give her the appearance of not being very competent. She had to appear harmless and manipulable tonight. All of them had to. Hudai would have to not suspect anything or Talan would be dead after they left that night.

"A gift?" Lara Hudai said, she was curious.

"Yes, I have also prepared a song for you and your family." Nora said. "It is a traditional." Nora said, forcing the woman to accept.

'Maybe I can off load one of my boys on her. She's had four females right now. She must be on the prowl for her fifth and sixth spouse. No one can match Hudai's dowry conditions. Not even Halid.' Lara thought with a cocky smile.

"Lenora, would you and your Bind care to sit with us?" Lara said in a nurturing tone, luring the fertile idiot to the table. Nora smiled and played her part well.

"Really? You have some handsome spouses here." Nora said. She maneuvered herself and sat down immediately taking the opening.

"These are my sons," Lara said, smiling . "This is Berim, Nyrm, Talan, Ettin, Nobe and Joh." Lara said, pointing at them as she named them.

"Wow, they all look like they could be your brothers, you look so young. It must be your superior lineage." Nora said. "Each one is so handsome." Nora's eyes stopped on Talan, who was looking uncomfortable. He was two years younger than her according to his file. She would start with a little contact considering her

"Try this," Nora leaned over and gave Talan a caramel candy she had made yesterday. "Sweet things make bitter things better. Yes?What is your name again?" Nora asked sweetly, her cleavage in the young man's eye line. She sat down, noticing that she had caught his eye.

"Talan of Hudai, it is nice to meet you, Lenora," Talan said in an unemotional tone. He was very reserved. With what Kai said happened to him, she would also be reserved.

'I hate myself for doing this. I am so sorry, I will make it up to you in the future.' Nora apologized to Talan in her head. Nora turned her head to look at Lara.

"He is very shy. I like the shy ones. I baked a Birthday Cake for you in my kitchen area. It is a custom of my people to share, but I did not know there would be so many people here. Let's split it among ourselves." Nora said, in a cheery, airy tone.

'I hate myself so much. I want to fight this twisted bitch.' Nora thought. Liem placed the box with the cake on the table and opened it. Kadir obtained a knife from food services and handed it to Nora. He stacked plates on the table. She cut the cake into even pieces.

"I made this with hand processed vanilla, you might see flecks of the paste in the cake. The icing also has vanilla in it, and those are sliced and sugared Mirzu. We call them Strawberries in the North. Please enjoy!" She plated up and served the cake to Lara herself and then her sons, drawing attention. The cake itself was pretty and rustic looking by earth standards. It looked lovely and novel in this universe.

She took a bite, along with her spouses and the rest of the group followed suit. She always enjoyed the looks of people trying dessert for the first time. After seeing the pleased looks, she saw Talan's burning and curious gaze. "This is very delicious. You made this?" Lara looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Personally," Nora said. Lara smiled.

'Her spouses had her doing work, one of my sons could easily put her under their thumb. I wish she preferred Berim, but Talan. Huh.' Lara mused. He was her least favorite.

'The wretch was well-behaved by himself. Not in a group setting. Once he was gone, I would be free of him and Quill would have to deal with the consequences and violence when she tried to touch him. The dowry payment is all I would have to worry about.' Lara thought. She relaxed.

"What a talent. Well, I am honored. Feel free to sit with my boy, see if you like how he feels, he knows how to behave. ' Lara said as she tapped him on her wrist. Lara gave her carte blanche to toy with her son in public. From what she had read and experienced, this could destroy his reputation.

'What a disgusting woman. I hate her, I hate sitting her. Look at his face.' Nora thought, pity flooded her. She almost faltered. But at least she knew she had Lara fooled.

"Yes, I enjoy working in the kitchen for fun when I have downtime, he is willing to eat my food," Nora said. Now she had to see if her son was amenable to the cause. Talan was an attractive male. He had thick, jet black hair which he kept cropped. He appeared to be physically fit. It just seemed like he did not want to be there. She watched Talan shyly eating. He seemed to like the food. He was obviously uncomfortable. Nora scooped a little of the icing off the top of the cake and sucked it.

'That is Kai, Liem, and Kadir. They are the last people I thought would be willing to bind. They are here for a purpose. I covered for them. What is it that they want?' Talan thought, looking at the familiar faces. He did not want to be there, or anywhere near the lecherous vile woman who reared him. He was obligated to go.

'They would know that I would be here. Do they want me to like her, so will I leave Hudai? Is she the reason? Kai keeps looking at me.' Talan thought. He analyzed what had happened thus far.

The Matriarch in front of him was dropping subtle hints. She served everyone. Normally, a woman would have her spouses serve others. She was acting like she was naive and not intellectually bright. It was obvious to him, because it was what he had been doing all his life. He hid his disdain for what his family did from her and his family. Nora got up close and leaned close to his ear.

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"Do you still feel the same way that you did at Dai' Hrene? If you want to join my bind, you will be safe to feel and act accordingly to your wishes. Just call me 'Nora' instead or Matriarch if you wish to follow your friends." Nora whispered in his ear. Her teeth tugged at his earlobe. She blew in his ear. His skin tingled and raised. She played with his hair. He nodded awkwardly. "Think about it, thoroughly. I can give you the heir to control this family." Nora said. Nora whispered necking Talan.

"Nora! I am so glad you are here tonight. Did you want to play with me?" Monil asked as he came to the seating area. Nora's head turned and so did her personality. She had to acquire Monil as well as a business partner tonight.

'What, I can follow my dreams. Those dreams?' Talan blushed. He adjusted his clothing. Something had started to stir on him physically.

"Yes I brought my Teere with me." Nora said with a smile. "Can I speak to you after?" Nora asked.

"No need for the Teere, I have the band with me. We will definitely talk quickly afterward," Monil said. Nora looked at him confused and just rolled with it. She hopped up and then went to perform with Monil and the band.