It would have been rude of Cree to refuse the man’s polite offer, and he had no doubt that Kirk would see to her safety. It did however please him that Dawn waited for him to give his permission and it was for that reason that he gave it.
“Your offer is appreciated, thank you, Kirk.” Cree turned to Dawn and with a smile said, “Behave.”
Dawn bobbed her head respectfully, though he didn’t trust her smile; it was much too sweet.
Dawn accepted Kirk’s arm as Cree walked off, Sloan leaning in close to whisper to him. Something was amiss and she wondered what. Kirk seemed a pleasant sort, with fine features and a strong voice.
“You were certainly brave going in search of your friend in a snowstorm,” he said as they wound their way through the paths that had been dug out of the snow.
She shook her head and patted her chest.
“Yes, yes, you are brave; do not be shy about your courage. Old Mary must be a dear, old friend for you to take such a risk.”
Dawn nodded and placed her hand low in front of her.
“Since you were young, but you are still young,” Kirk said with a smile.
Her grin grew and she spread her ten fingers and then took one away.”
“Nineteen,” Kirk confirmed with a nod. “And you have lived here all those years?”
Dawn spread ten fingers again.
“Ten year you’ve been here.” Kirk nodded. “Your parents brought you here?”
Their conversation continued the whole way to the cottage with Kirk asking many question and when they finally got to the door, Dawn released his arm and turned to stand in front of him, her smile gone.
She gestured quickly, as if annoyed, having realized after a short time that he had easily understood her motions. That was odd since it took most people time to decipher. So to confirm what she had suspected, she gestured as if talking to Lila.
“You want to know how I can so easily understand you,” he said.
She nodded.
“I knew someone voiceless just like you. She could not make a sound, yet she spoke clearly with her hands and expressions. She was a beautiful young woman and brave as well, much like yourself.”
Dawn was too stunned to respond. She would love to meet the woman he spoke about but he talked of her as if she had passed and she was hesitant to ask him since she saw sadness in his eyes when he spoke about her.
“You both would have gotten along well. I’m sure of it, probably would have spent hours chatting.” A tear pooled in the corner of Kirk’s eye. “She’s gone now and is missed much.”
Dawn extended her sympathy to the man and wondered if the woman had been related since he appeared so very saddened by her death. Before Dawn could ask him anymore about her, Flanna appeared with the noon meal. Dawn wanted to ask him more but she also wanted to know if Flanna knew if anything was amiss at the keep, besides Lucerne being confined to her quarters.
The decision was taken from her when Kirk wished her a tasty meal claiming he had to return to the keep. She invited him to visit with her hoping to speak to him some more before he left. He promised he would and off he went.
Flanna latched the door behind her. “I have little time to talk but something goes on at the keep. It seems that the secret entrance to the keep that Cree had boarded up was torn apart and it is feared that someone entered the keep. The whole place is being searched as well as the surrounding area. Cree is furious that his home has been invaded and wants the man found or else. And then there’s Lucerne,” Flanna said rolling her eyes. “She’s carrying on like a harping banshee and not a soul wants to go near her. Even the old servant of hers that does all her stitching is spending more time in the servant’s quarters.”
Dawn made gestures of little holes and cubbies and then shook her head.
“You’d be surprised at how many places one could hide in that keep. I even wonder if there are more secret entrances and exits that no one knows about, though no doubt they’ll be found now. Cree’s warriors are searching the place from top to bottom. If he’s there, they’ll find him.
“I can’t stay, the servants are busy cleaning up behind the warriors since their search is leaving a mess, besides finding nooks and crannies that could do with a bit more attention. I know you took food for yourself yesterday but braving the storm to find Old Mary wouldn’t have left you with much time to cook for yourself and it gave me the excuse to bring the news to you.”