Sloan walked over to Dawn intending to make certain she understood that she was not to go anywhere without a guard. But when he approached the table and caught sight of a change she was making to William’s drawing, he stared in awe at her remarkable talent.
“A double battlement, I would have never imagined and yet it makes sense,” William said staring in just as much awe as Sloan.
The three were soon discussing other changes that Dawn had made and it was an hour later that William nodded and said, “These changes are good. I will present them to Cree.”
“He’ll approve,” Sloan said with a nod.
William rolled the parchments and stood. “I have more work to do.” He gave a nod to Dawn. “It has been a pleasure working with you and I hope to do so again.”
Dawn smiled, patted her chest and pointed to him to let him know that she had enjoyed working with him as well.
William smiled and gave another brief nod and left the Great Hall.
Sloan turned to Dawn and delivered Cree’s edict. “You are to go nowhere without a guard and until Cree returns it would be best for you to stay to the keep or your cottage.”
Dawn knew without being told that Cree had gone with his men to find the culprit who had attacked them. And she did not want to think about what he would do to him once he found him. She also did not want her movement limited to two places. She wanted to visit with Lila, see how baby Thomas was doing, get to hold him, and get to talk with her friend. She also wanted to see how Flanna was doing, though she felt odd going to the kitchen and taking what food she wanted, though it would give her a reason for being there.
She gave Sloan a nod and let him know that she understood. He hadn’t ordered only suggested it would be best that she limit herself to the keep and her cottage. Therefore, she was free to go other places if she wished as long as a guard accompanied her. She suddenly looked forward to the rest of the day.
Sloan rubbed his jaw and stared intently at Dawn and she could see that he debated about asking her a question. She wondered if he didn’t because he worried about understanding her gestures. She had found it to be a common reaction in people and the reason many ignored or made fun of her, flaying their hands and arms in mock facsimile of her gestures.
Whatever the reason for his hesitation did not matter to Dawn, she was more curious to know his question. And so she pointed to him and shrugged.
Her gesture had him smiling and responding. “You make yourself understood remarkably well for one without a voice.”
She smiled and gave a nod of thanks, then pointed to him again and shrugged.
“And you’re persistent to boot, but then most women are.”
She was pleased that he included her with other women. It made her feel less different from them.
“I have a problem and I was wondering if you might be able to help me, since you probably see more than most as to what goes on around here.”
That was true. People constantly assumed her deaf since she was voiceless and often spoke freely around her even about her, as if she wasn’t present. She was delighted that Sloan should ask her for help and she nodded eagerly.
“I need to find a woman who can handle the daily running of the keep. It would require someone who could be firm with the servants and see that all chores got done to specifications, someone who could give orders as well as take them. Would you know anyone capable of handling such an important chore?”
Dawn nodded, having known instantly who would be perfect for the important task.
“Can you bring her here to me?” Sloan asked his face lighting with a smile. “Let me get a guard to accompany you.”
Dawn shook her head as she swung her legs over the bench and stood. Then she pointed around the room.
“She is here in the keep?”
Dawn nodded.
“I’ll go with you. Where in the keep is she?”
Dawn hooked her arm out and made a motion as if stirring in a bowl.
“The kitchen?” Sloan’s smile faded. “I’ll wait here while you go get her. Go straight to the kitchen and return here right away. If Turbett should give you any trouble, tell him that Cree has ordered the woman’s presence.”
Dawn nodded, though doubted Turbett would understand her gestures. Flanna, on the other hand, would. She entered the kitchen a bit apprehensively and was surprised to see Dorrie, her eyes teary, chopping wild onions. As soon as Dorrie saw her she smiled and bobbed her head. Dorrie had never acknowledged Dawn so pleasantly. Usually it had been a disparaging remark that Dorrie had greeted her with but it would appear that she had had a change of heart.