Quills

Liem helped Nora out of the vehicle. His son looked happy. He couldn't contain his happiness and a smile was plastered on his tired face. Had he been accepted by her? Dorien searched her body with his eyes for the dowry bracelet. The beautiful redhead was dressed in a soft cream-coloured silk dress. A golden thread sash looped around her. Her red hair was loosely curled and reached her waist. She stood three heads below his son and was smaller than any woman he had ever seen. She looked healthier than her early pictures. He noticed that she had gained some weight, and it hung quite pleasantly on her. He felt a bit of guilt finding her attractive. His son whispered to her, and she nodded with a smile in understanding. Dorien enjoyed looking at the pair of them together. They matched quite well and his son looked very happy. The smile on Liem's face filled him with joy. 

'He would wear that emotionless mask if she had rejected him, wouldn't he? Things must have gone well.' Dorien thought as he watched them interact. His son was normally so sullen and distant. He looked happily as his son sped towards him. Liem jogged to his father and embraced Dorien warmly, snapping him out of his trance.

 "Ah, you are so strong!" Dorien said as he smiled widely at his excited son. "It has been years, my son, I am so happy you are home", Dorien said emotionally. Dorien felt his eyes start to well with happy tears. He had not felt a hug this tight since he was a small boy. Something felt off to Dorien while he lovingly patted his son on the back.

"Father. I missed you." Liem said, sucking up to him nervously. Dorien hugged the boy tighter and fluffed his hair. He took in the scent, he still used Uzuza scented products. He smelled like sunshine and warmth. Dorien closed his eyes remembering how small he was in his arms as a newborn infant. Fresh out of maturation, he was the tiniest little bundle of warmth. They had taken Lei away from his arms, but never his boy.

'My boy is my treasure and mine alone. The relationship between father and son is special in our culture. The saying my own father used was "Boys would bring you firewood to keep you warm, meat to eat, and care for you. Your daughter would have to look away, they could never prefer you.'" did I ever tell him about this. Does he remember? Is there something wrong?' Dorien thought. The hug lingered.

"Is everything alright son?" Dorien whispered. His son had become very particular about being touched and showing affection in his adolescence. Liem's brow furrowed in a slight panic, and he brought himself close to his father's ear. 

"There has been a complication. It is good news but, I think we are going to need to accelerate Nora's plans and we will need to make some selections tonight. Can we talk with Mother alone in her office?" Liem whispered into his fathers ear.

"What is wrong? Just tell me my son. I will protect you well this time. Did you do that?" Dorien whispered. 

"I can't. I could not risk sending this over a communication to you, father. It is important. I cannot say it aloud, there are too many ears. It must be you and mother alone that speaks with Nora and me about this, we need to go to the office." Liem finished desperately. 

'What is it, did he do something? Did she choose him and want to go North? I will not be able to bear it.' Dorien thought. He felt his blood pressure rise. Allurai was going to ask Nora to consider Liem tonight. She had chosen some beneficial candidates and was going to review them with her tonight anyway. Dorien furrowed his brows in confusion as his blood pressure climbed. There would be guests coming tonight and there was a lot to do, but what was panicking his son, terrified him. If he had caused some problem, it would not be easy for him to avoid punishment. It could jeopardize everything. The tour of their new home would have to come later as something, again had come up with Lenora Quill's fostering.

"You both had better come along quickly. It is fortunate that you were very early. I will run interfere and get you in the office. Act normal and try not to stress your mother. You know how sensitive she is." Dorien said. Liem would not describe his mother as sensitive. "Rai, the four of us must first meet in the office. Nora has something to discuss, with both of us" Dorien said as he walked up. Allurai gave him a confused look, she thought, and she smiled.

'Was she going to ask her for Liem formally in a Northern custom?' Allurai thought. Her heart thumped. It was going to be entertaining and fascinating to live with someone like her.

"Perfect, we have so much time before the Banquet. Let her get her greetings and see her Courtyard." Allurai said responding to Dorien.

"Before all of that. It will have to wait." Dorien said, he kept his face neutral. He did not know what his son was so closely guarding as a secret. He just hoped that it would not cause a huge uproar like the incident had. Nora's discovery was important. Her injuries and naturalization were the main reason the Allari were granted custody of her upon discovery. Since Liem was an anthropologist and spoke the languages of the Northern Tribes, it was incredibly lucky. When the world learned about her, interest in her peaked into obsession. 

"Oh? Alright," Allurai said. She winced psychologically. The Allari were being contacted constantly for information about her, which was being kept private as per her rights. It was agreed that they would study her first and slowly assimilate her into the culture and that is why Liem had access to her primarily. But that came to a halt as she quickly learned about her rights before anyone could get clear information or research about her. After that assault on her, the rumors spread throughout the capital, forcing Allurai to become defensive of her son. Other clans were demanding that they remand her care to them. The Allari were put in an awkward but defensive position with Liem Allari being the only one with the expertise to aid her. 

'This opportunity is too good to give up. Be patient Allurai, this woman is now your responsibility and probably his only chance. No one could say anything or question her if she chooses Liem and chooses to stay here herself. Please give me some rest after this Lenora.' Allurai forced a smile.

"Let's go Liem and Lenora." Dorien said. Liem nodded to his father and then looked at Nora who was standing there nervously and motioned to her quickly. Nora's hands trembled as she looked at the cacophony happening at the main entrance as a sense of doom flooded her. Nora started to follow him and plastered a brave smile on her face. His family started to flood out into the pavilion to receive them, followed by Leilanna. Nora looked at Allurai and Leilanna. Allurai smiled widely, flashing a toothy grin at her. 

'She looks like a superhero or those pro-wrestlers Mark used to like.' Nora mused in her head. Allurai looked like a mythical Valkyrie or Wonder Woman. She was tall and naturally thin. She did not look like she exercised much or went outside. The attractive older man that greeted him must be his father. He looks like a much lighter version of him. Liem had been guiding her as she walked like she was a Ming vase, being overly careful with her. A young teen guided a few younger boys over when she entered the door and handed her a flower crown. Nora felt like she could cry.

 "Thank you, it is lovely," Nora said as she fixed it on top of her. "You must be Jonys, right?" Nora asked. The boy nodded, pulling his raven locks behind his ear. "Your brother told me you were talented," Nora said with a smile. "I will see you later, yes?" Nora said. 

"Yes," Jonys said and nodded shyly and walked away once his mother looked at him. Nora felt terribly. Jonys was looked at like he was being a bother, but her sons had treated her so kindly. Nora felt relieved as the disappointed look on his face disappeared shortly after.

"Lenora, we are pleased to welcome you home," Leilanna said in a warm tone. The family cheered in welcome. Nora was surprised to look at the young woman as she approached with a group of men following quickly behind her. She knew Leilanna at first sight, because she looked like her twin. What surprised her was how young Allurai looked in comparison. There was not a strand of gray hair, no wrinkles. The woman had a caramel complexion with curly brown hair. She walked with a sense of nobility along with her daughter. They did not look much older than one another. 

"I am grateful for your generosity, Young Matriarch Leilanna Allari, thank you, may we live harmoniously." Nora returned her greeting, surprising Leilanna. Leilanna was not sure to think of Nora, she thought that the Northerners were like cave people. She saw her mother side-eye her when she failed to promptly greet their new resident.

"Lenora, if there is anything you have questions about, please do not hesitate to ask." Leilanna said and gave a bow in greeting. Nora responded in kind, surprising her. 

"Liem, you never cease to amaze me, she is well trained," Leilanna said to her brother. Liem looked at his sister offended. She was not a bird that he had trained to speak. He cleared his throat. 

"Well trained? She learned our language and completed the same education that took you ten years, in six cycles. " Liem said, mocking his sister slightly.