Highlander Unchained(78)

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.

“Can I get you something, Dawn?” Turbett asked as he approached her.

Turbett’s girth could intimidate, especially when one realized that his thickness was mostly muscle. His direct manner could also be disconcerting, but she had to remember that she was allowed to be here and allowed to have what she wanted from the kitchen.

Dawn pointed to Flanna.

“Cree ordered that you can have whatever food you want from the kitchen, but I will not allow you to disrupt my staff at your leisure.”

His words were clipped and stern and for a moment she thought of turning away and getting Sloan. But she dismissed the idea and stood her ground, though on trembling legs.

She waved Flanna over.

“I have not given her permission—”

Dawn’s hands started moving before he could finish and Flanna was by her side then and interpreted. “Dawn asks that I explain what she says.”

Turbett gave a reluctant nod.

Dawn kept her expression concise, Flanna not understanding her as well as Lila but then few understood her so well. Cree was beginning to. The thought startled her, though she didn’t allow it to show.

“My presence is requested in the Great Hall,” Flanna said, her eyes turning wide with fright.

“Go and return here as soon as you are done,” Turbett ordered and shooed them away as if they were annoying flies.

The two women didn’t hesitate, they hurried off, though Flanna grabbed Dawn’s arm once they were a few feet through the stone passageway and stopped.

“Am I in trouble?”

Dawn realized that every single villager had feared being summoned to the Great hall when Colum had ruled and for good reason. The person always suffered harsh punishment, leaving everyone fearful of receiving such a summons.

Dawn shook her head and smiled wide.

“Something good?” Flanna asked hopefully.

Dawn nodded.

Flanna ran her fingers through her hair and took her apron off turning it to the other side that was less stained and retied it around her waist. Then she grabbed Dawn’s hand. “I’m ready.”

Dawn patted her hand and nodded vigorously.

Flanna smiled and hurried to the Great Hall.

Flanna answered every question Sloan asked her and then stood speechless when he told her that she would be in charge of the keep’s servants. And that she would be answerable to him and of course Cree.

Sloan cleared his throat and added, “You would need to deal with Turbett as well, making certain all flows well between the servants and the kitchen.”