My eyes followed each spoon my dad put in his mouth. The winds howled outside and I was glad I was made to come indoors and take shelter. The slurping sounds kept my mind busy thinking about my caretaker.

"Who made the soup for you?" I was concerned.

His blue eyes came up to mine slowly.

"You don't like it?"

"No... no, it's good." I took a sip from my bowl too.

"Gala was so kind and cooked for us. I figured you might be tired, so I didn't bother to ask you." He flashed a soft smile.

"Sorry, dad. I will make up for you tomorrow."

My heart filled with warmth as well as my stomach from a meaty dish. I smiled to myself and savored the feeling of us being together. I liked the evenings like this one, just two of us enjoying each other's company.

I stirred up the meat pieces in my bowl all the while the nagging thought of the new man in the next room troubled my mind.

"Who is he?"

"Who?" Dad seemed to be taken out of his own world.

"Gunnar. Who is he? Where did you find him?"

"He is from the village far north, uhmmmm. Well, not the village, but more like a small camp it is - camp of Saber."

"I have never heard of it. Does it really exist?"

"It does, but it's too far away and none of my men have ever been in that part of Sedahra, though I know the man called Saber... I knew..." He took the time to take another bite. "The camp no longer exists, so nor Saber himself."

I glanced at dad, not understanding the meaning behind his words.

"Gunnar said some powerful warriors came and destroyed it, killed Saber, his mother and couple of other people in the camp, stole the things his people were working hard for. Nothing is left and he left the place too."

"Why? Why would he have to come this far? Couldn't he stay there after that?"

"Freya... The climate in Saber's camp is much harsher than here. Gunnar would not survive alone, neither there are villages close to his home. He had to leave. I found him wandering around a few days ago and offered this job. He seems a skillful man, I see he is strong."

"So do our own men. Why didn't you ask someone from Wahrlenn to be my guard?"

"Do you want Eilar to be the one who takes care of you? He is the only one who would spare his time just to put up with your tantrums, Freya."

"No... I don't want him..."

"I thought so too." His face turned grim and the concern in his eyes showed how much he cared about my feelings. "Give him a chance, he has no place to go and for time being this is the best I can provide for the son of my dead friend."

"Alright, I will try, but only because of you."

I stood up, placed a soft kiss on my father's bearded cheek and felt his chest rumble in satisfaction.

On the way to my room in a hushed voice, I said. "Does this mean I will be allowed to go outside... explore?"

"Uhmmm..." My father stopped eating and looked into nothingness. I did not see his face, his back turned to me before he sighed heavily. "It depends what Gunnar thinks of it... If he wants to take you outside, then be it."

I closed the door behind me and welcomed the comforting fluff of my bed, skimmed my fingers through the fine fur of a dire wolf that laid on top of my blankets. In the same way, my heart felt - warmth, satisfying comfort and excitement filled it. Did my father really allow me to leave the village? I couldn't believe it and I struggled to keep my face from cracking a smile. There was only one problem - Gunnar. I hated to think I would have to ask his permission. He did not seem to be easy going or someone I could persuade to do things on my will.

Right now he might be resting, on the other side of the wall, in a spare room, my father had provided. It's unfortunate he had lost his family, home. Maybe the harsh life had made him so serious?

Tomorrow will be another day and I hoped I will have a chance to step outside.

***

I woke up to the muffled sounds of steps passing my room. Outside the window the light and chirping birds made me realize that I had overslept. My dad might be already up and Gunnar, from hearing the sounds behind my door, was too. I promised my old man with a nice meal for today.

With no time to waste I got my clothes. The top made of braided leather and skirt with deer hide was all I needed to keep me warm on days like this one - a little bit chilly even though the sky was blue with no clouds.

On the way down I got a glimpse of only one person by the table, it was not my father.

"Where is my dad?" I asked Gunnar who was munching on a thick piece of bread.

He glanced at me for a second and continued his meal, taking his time to answer.

"He went outside to attend some business... things... I don't know what exactly."

Gunnar's bulky form took a good size of the dinner table as he was leaning over on his elbows. I observed him for a short moment. Without a doubt, he was capable of protecting me. I should not be afraid.

"I want to go outside!" I burst out.

My guard turned to face me and watched as if I asked the weirdest question. Gunnar bit another piece of bread. I saw him taking his eyes up and down my body and with no emotion gestured in the direction of the doorway.

"Go. You don't have to ask my permission."

"I want to go out... outside... the village." Frustration was evident in my voice.

"I will finish my breakfast and then we can think about it."