Quills: the Rise of the Northern Matriarch-Chapter 76: Change of Allegiance 2

"Wait, you and Monil? The Monil." Kai said, piecing things together. Janel laughed. Nora laughed.

"Yes. That Monil. I thought you knew we were friends?" Nora said. He was a fan of Monil's. She constantly surprised him. He was falling in love with her more and more each day. He felt a sense of protection building. He felt like they should accelerate their plans, they would likely talk about it in their secret language tonight. He found it hard to keep the casual tone that they requested. He was still getting accustomed to the language. It was a brilliant move. They were missing key members of their team in order to move onward with the plan. Talan of Hudai might be the hardest to acquire for their plan. He was younger than them, he knew him more than the others did. He could identify the ones who had escaped from their clans due to a lack of choice. Clan Hudai were the developers and makers of the Interface components and software; the devices that the Intraworld Council requires to be inserted into all infants on their post-natal check-up.

Its benefits were numerous; its drawbacks were painful punishments and death. Those drawbacks were put there to prevent disobedience, ensure compliance, for personal protection of females initially. They soon became wicked tools to control, punish and kill. Hera was adept at using tech to the fullest. Nora had never opened the interface. Not even to keep overzealous admirers from observing them. She even thought of the possibility of finding some kind of benefit from something that kept her trapped. She called it a "silver lining'. He did not understand some of the sayings she had, but he thought it might be optimistic. The family packed up and went to retrieve the twins from Allurai. Nora could hear the crying from inside their entrance. Sirona was fussing in Dorien's lap while Astra was trying to sign to unaware adults. Her eyes welled with tears.

"What is it, Astra? Tell Mother?" Nora said and signed as she noticed Astra looking over from Hillian's arms.

Astra began to sign Mom, Help, Hurt, and then she stuck her fist in her mouth.

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"Can Mother look?" Nora signed as she spoke. Astra chewed on her fist and her eyes shifted over to Sirona. Nora stepped in front of Sirona and Dorien. "Sirona. Can Mother look?" Nora signed. Sirona calmed down enough to nod but was still fussing. Nora opened her mouth and saw a little bit of a tooth poking through Sirona's gum. She was beginning to wonder when this would happen. Astra was truly the mellowest and smartest of her children, she too had started to teeth. But had chosen to tell her mother that she was hurting. Astra was probably going to be smarter than she was.

"They just started teething." Nora explained. She reached down and picked up Astra from Hillian's arms.

"How did you teach them how to communicate like that?" Dorien asked, amazed.

"It is an old Northern language that is easy enough to learn. It is for those who cannot speak or hear. It was great when we hunted together in groups. So you do not scare away your prey." Nora lied, she was getting so good at bullshitting. She would not forget the facts she spun.

"Perhaps someday we can learn such a good thing? To be able to communicate with an infant at this level is astonishing." Dorien said. He was briefly skeptical, he had given up on doubting her. She had brought so many benefits to the Clan already. His granddaughter was immensely popular already.

"Perhaps I might. I used to teach in the North. Thank you Hillian and Dorien. We will take them to get settled." Nora had started freezing chunks of fruit for them to chew on in advance. Liem was surprised about this fact, she was a natural teacher. But he had never brought it up to her.

"Wait, do you have any fresh oil?" Kai said, remembering an old obtuse family trick. He grabbed a pair of hard toys that they prepared for this and dipped them in the oil. He then passed one to Nora for Astra and the other to Kadir, who now had Sirona in his arms. Nora gave him a look and then shrugged. She was open to a change in the game plan if it was more effective and did not present a choking hazard.

"You are kidding me, the tricks you learn from different families and cultures are so beneficial," Hillian exclaimed. Astra was immediately soothed. The whole room looked on with blank faces at the interaction between parents, spouses and infants. It was mind-blowing to see an eight-month-old communicating so clearly. Using their hands when they can not speak.

"We are lucky to have you here. I wish you all would consider staying longer. I get to learn something new or get to taste something different with you here. It is never boring." Allurai said. The Northern practices, foods and customs were innovating, yet so simple to practice, use, and make. Using oil like this was also very different. The Quills were so eccentric.

They were even going to the extent of creating new species of vegetables, fruit and now grasses. Usually grass are fed to animals. They had identified a crop and created a product called flat breads that was really popular at home. Recently they brought 'Cookies' to dinner. The round disc-shaped objects had dried fruit and grass products in them, they were sweet, and they were sure to be a hit. Allurai was constantly amused by the new things she tested. She was really not happy about them leaving, but they were doing really well. She could not think of any other excuse to keep them in the building other than child care.

'Oh no, I know that look. He must be holding out on some huge news. He looks like his father when he has a request.' Allurai thought bemusedly as she looked at Liem.

"Mother, I am transferring Janel to Quill's internal hospital. I have sent you a list of candidates to replace him. We are more comfortable with his care in comparison to going to Sacred Tree for care." Liem said, looking at his Mother with confidence. The difference between Liem now and from a year ago was shocking in retrospect. Her ascetic son had returned home and gained confidence all thanks to the influence of a female from another culture. Changes were noted in Kadir, Cerez and now Kai as well. Every story she heard about each of the men that Nora bound was the same.

'They were all men that had emotional issues and were defined as treatment resistant. It seemed like all these men needed was the guiding hand of a young Matriarch from another culture. Was their culture the cause of mental health problems and suicide among young men?' Allurai thought.

"Tomorrow evening we will be throwing a banquet to celebrate your move." Allurai said aloud. "

We are not moving far, Allurai. We will be able to visit often. I do not want to separate Astra from her future spouse," Nora said. Astra and Daven were glued together whenever they had play sessions with all the infants. Allurai was finding herself less stressed since focusing on motherhood more. Her spouses were happier now that she let them take over projects and have responsibilities. She was glad she saved Leilanna from following in her stressful footsteps. She had missed so much and caused so much damage, focusing on the external world.

'Hopefully, she or one of the other girls like him. I cannot bear to think about him with some twisted older woman.' Nora thought with a shudder as she looked at Hillian, who was her own age. Allurai was a kind woman, but Hillian was old enough to be her son.

'Please do not ask her about her appointment. Hopefully, this will distract her a bit. I just took her favorite employee.' Liem prayed in his mind. Nora was doing an excellent job of manipulating Allurai from not discussing it.

"I am going to be making something special because of that then. Would you like to try something new tomorrow evening or would you like me to bring some cookies?" Nora said, starting a line of distracting questioning as the group made their way to the door.

"New? That sounds exciting. Will it be sweet?" Allurai asked. "Actually, it can be used both in a sweet and savory way." Nora said, intriguing Allurai further.

"Looks like my spouse's are heading out the door. Thank you for the oil." Nora cheerfully said. She turned around before Allurai could remember to ask her prying questions about her unborn children. The family quickly found themselves relatively safe at home.

"We'll be having Crêpes tomorrow. They are really easy to make and will not be a problem to make. So do not worry." Nora said.

"I do not want you on your feet. Do you remember how much they swelled last time? And the dizziness." Cerez said, brushing his hand down his face in stress. She was carrying a high-risk pregnancy as well, and she was making commitments to bringing food to a banquet.