The light outside was barely peeking over the horizon, but the singing birds seemed to be ahead of their daily lives. I dressed up and moved downstairs, silently - letting my father enjoy the undisturbed sleep.

My stomach rumbled in hunger and I thought it would be a great morning for everyone if I cooked something nice. After lighting a lantern I looked inside the small room which hold our food - herbs, dried and smoked meat, also some vegetables and berries. My mouth watered and an idea of a very filling meal was born.

I took a couple of eggs, meat strips, spices and strawberries along with blueberries and few tasty looking mushrooms.

For both men, it would give lots of strength throughout the morning. In no time I cooked the meat and eggs on the quietly burning stove, roasted the aromatic mushrooms and prepared a small bowl of berries with a topping of honey for each of us.

I could hear rustling in my father's room. For some reason, my mood was brighter than on the previous days. The cooking relaxed me and I could go and greet him.

Dad did not bother to dress up fully. He stayed in his linen nightwear, the white shirt was covering his upper body and he pulled over the black fur cape on top of his shoulders for a little protection from the cool air.

"Good morning! I've got something for you, dad!" I took hold of his arm and gently escorted him to the kitchen.

"What is it?" He took a sniff of air. " Ah! I see... I can smell!" He smiled.

My father looked so happy, it brightened my heart.

"I felt so bad for not making anything after my return."

He looked over the plates and then at me, his eyes now burning brighter after he had left the drowsiness in the bedroom.

"For who is the third plate, may I ask? For Gunnar I suppose?"

"Yes."

"Then go and call him over. It's better we have the meal together, Freya."

I didn't want to go and wake him, still with the uncertainty of his mood after the last night. He could be sleeping or might not even be at home. I agreed to my father and chose to call my guard downstairs to join us.

There was silence behind his door, not a rustle or any movement. Nervously I lifted my hand to knock. It came open before I could do anything.

Gunnar stood in front of me chest naked. I looked up and to my surprise, for the first time I saw him without a characteristic black paint over his eyes, but nonetheless, his irises glowed in deep blue. An awkward silence seemed to drag forever.

"I came... Uhmmm... You should come down for breakfast."

"Is it all you wanted to say?"

I hesitated, not knowing what he awaited or was I really meant to say something more.

"And... don't forget to put decent clothes before you come."

With that, I left and eagerly sat next to my dad, who had munched half the way through his dish.

"Aren't you hungry today?" I exclaimed.

Dad laughed, filling the room with rumbly sounds.

"Hey, Gunnar!" He turned his grey head around to look at my guard who had already reached the bottom of the stairs. "I have a big task for you today. Also, I think Freya will be very happy if you show off yourself well."

We both looked at him weirdly, surprised and somewhat anxious.

"Sit down! Eat! It's good!" My dad seemed to drag the time and keep us waiting. "So, Gunnar, Freya. I will allow my daughter to visit the city of Dry Lakes. But... only then if you, Gunnar, can show me you are capable of protecting her, keep her safe throughout the journey."

"Dry Lakes! Are you joking, dad?" My heart jumped in excitement.

I have heard of that place, been in there when I was a small girl together with mom and dad. Now the memories had faded leaving only the rumors and tales from people who had been in the hustling city.

"What do I have to do then?" Gunnar did not seem too excited.

"I will arrange a small fight with our best fighter, so you better meet my expectations, Gunnar." My father didn't seem to appear so serious as the words he said. It looked like Gunnar sensed it and kept his calm.

It felt like my heart stopped beating for a second. I didn't know how good Gunnar was at fighting, but my gut told me father will pick up someone very skillful - most likely Eilar. Above all, if he heard about the permission to visit Dry Lakes... Commander will not go easy against my guard.

"I believe he can protect me without involvement in a fight proving something." With my words, I hoped to change my father's mind.

"No, no, Freya. I have to see for myself. If I'd be in better shape, I'd fight Gunnar myself, but, to my shame, I will have to put Eilar against him."

I felt like crying losing all the hope that I will be let to take a gasp of freedom. Eilar was strong, I had no doubt.

Our eyes met over the table and a small smirk appeared on my guard's tanned face, so subtle, I questioned myself if my eyes were showing correctly.

"It would be a shame if I lost." He kept his stare on me.

For the first few moments, I felt like the happiest person, but now my great mood was slowly crumbling away.

"Don't feel so sad about it Freya. After all, I chose Gunnar for a reason, only some insignificant formalities before I let you loose."

"Eilar? Of all the people in Wahrlenn? Take someone like Jen or... or... Erick, Harald?"

"Jen would be too light-handed and would not take the fight seriously, others are not so skillful." He sighed.

"I can see how it will turn out..." I balled my hands, wiped nonexisting tears from my eyes and tried to hide my nervousness and uncertainty from both men seated next to me. "... he will make sure I go nowhere and above all, not with this stranger..." The last words were muffled under my palm as I thought out laud.

Through my fingers, I could get a glimpse of my father's concerned look.