4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Like clockwork, I opened my eyes. I then turned my head to the clock on the wall and it says six thirty on the dot. I let out a deep yawn and lifted myself up into a sitting position.
I heard a little snort from my side and turned my head to see Valah scratching her stomach, her shirt had pulled up a bit from the way she kept moving when she slept. With a hand, I gently pulled her shirt back down so that she won't have stomach pains when she wakes up.
"Honey, it's time to wake up. We need to go and get breakfast before we leave to see that bastard and then after that we go off to see another one."
"Mmm five more minutes…" she barely made out as she turned over and pulled the blanket up so only her head was exposed.
"Honey, wake up!"
In an instant she lifted her leg and pulled the whole blanket off her in one move. She lifted herself up but her eyes were still closed. Slowly she opened them and yawned.
She turned her head slowly to me and said, "morning."
"Morning, sleepyhead. We need to hurry and get breakfast or we will be late."
She nodded her head and slowly moved herself so that she was now sitting on the edge of the bed, her legs dangled down nearly touching the cold hard floor.
I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth but as I did, Valah strolled in and plopped herself onto the toilet.
I chuckled to myself and continued brushing my teeth. I really can't believe how carefree she is.
"Dad, where are we going for breakfast?"
"Down to the kitchens."
"The kitchens? Are we even allowed down there?"
"Only the king's guards can go there freely. But sometimes the chefs do allow exceptions."
"Is that why big bro Gunny is always missing? He's down in the kitchens?"
"I guess…"
I finished brushing my teeth and washed my face. I left the bathroom and headed to the table. I grabbed my mug, poured the half filled mug of Korr ale into a basin, rinsed the mug and poured myself a cup of hot water. I drank the water to clean my throat and heat my body up, ready for the day. Once I finished the water, I poured one for Valah too and set it aside.
I then put on my armour and belt with my sheathed sword attached. I took a quick glance at the battle axe that hung on the wall. Should I? It would be pretty intimidating to have a battle axe strapped on my back. Its like sending a message, that if you make one wrong move, off goes your head.
Once I finished gearing up, I sat down on my chair and waited for her. I watched the clock tick on by and if we don't move soon, we're going to be late.
"Honey, hurry up!"
Thankfully the time to walk to the magic association building will only take ten minutes.
"I'm done!"
She walked out the bathroom and grabbed her clothing off the helm of the bed. Once she got dressed she walked to the table and grabbed her gear.
"All done? Water's on the table as well. Drink."
"Okay…"
She took the mug and slowly drank the water. Once we were finally finished, we left my room and headed down to the kitchens.
"What do you think we're going to eat for breakfast today?"
Valah walked with purpose, her curly hair bounced with every step she took.
"No clue. But I could use a hearty breakfast. I need every ounce of strength to deal with Faron today."
"And I got a Lord to reject."
I snickered at how brazen she is. She definitely takes after me.
As we got closer to the kitchens, a strong smell wafted into us. The smell caused our stomach to rumble.
"Let's hurry dad!"
Valah grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I just smiled as I let her pull me towards heaven.
Once we were nearing the kitchens' door, the door swung open and head chef Voss walked out and screamed, "We did it!" At the top of his lungs.
"Congratulations! What did you do?" Valah asked.
"I-I… well hello there! What are you doing near the kitchens?" Voss asked as he looked at Valah but then he noticed me. "Oh I didn't see you there as well, Captain of the king's guard.
"We're here for an early breakfast, the king has ordered me to help Faron with an investigation."
"Ah! Right. Right. Gunther told me about it. Why don't you guys come on in, let us fix you something. So who's this pretty young lady?"
"Hi! I'm Valah and I'm his daughter!" Valah announced.
"Well aren't you a lively one." He had a jolly attitude but his movements were sluggish.
"Why do you look terrible? What happened here?"
I looked around the kitchen and it was a mess. Not only that but all the chefs looked like they were on their deathbed.
"Well, why don't you two pull up a chair at the counter and let me show you what we're been working on."
We both sat on the tall stools near the counter and watched head chef Voss as he worked. He brought out two bowls and set them on the table. He then place some string looking things into a pot of water. After that he put some sauce in the bowl, he then placed some boats into another pot of water. After that he took out the string looking thing out and placed them in the bowls and not long after that the boat things too.
He then walked over to a much larger pot and started stirring. Once he finished stirring, he scooped up the liquid and poured it into the bowl, covering all the other stuff. After that he put in some greens and bones of meat.
"All done! Here ya go! Wonton noodles soup!"
Voss placed the two bowls in front of us and Valah leaned in and took a sniff.
"Mmm smells wonderful."
"Have a little taste and tell me what ya think?"
He handed us both forks and spoons.
Valah went straight in.
"Mmm! So good! Dad try it!"
I went in too and as soon as the soup entered my mouth, I felt like I was having an outer body experience.
"Dad! This taste like the stuff you gave me two nights ago."
"Yes it does. Hey Voss, this was made by bos… erm Ryan wasn't it?"
"Yes! But no… We asked Ryan yesterday to come to our kitchen and make us something and this was it but we wanted to improve on it so we. spent all night coming up with ways to improve it. The product in front of you is result of our labour."
"Wait. Wait. Wait! So this and the delicious food we had the other night was all made by my big boss?"
"Yes."
"Big boss?"
"Yes, my little one here is about to be in my new team and we now serve Ryan as our new boss. Please don't tell the king…"
Voss laughed.
"Not a problem! This is my domain, nothing comes out of here without my say so. And besides we like Ryan, his culinary skills is amazing and his ideas is exotic. His now an honorary member of our kitchens."
"Thank you."
"Yes thank you." Valah said with a bone in her mouth.
Voss smiled and looked at me.
I just shrugged and went back to eating.
Both of us finished our bowls and asked for seconds and he obliged with a smile.
Once we finished our second bowl, we thanked boss and his team and exited the kitchens.
"That was amazingly delicious!" Valah said as she rubbed her stomach. "There's no doubt about it, I will make big boss my man!"
"I have no doubt you will honey, I will be rooting for you though… you'll be having a stiff competition."
"Like who?"
"Some of his students fancy him, there is also the healer from the hospital wing, oh and a goddess… I'm not sure yet but I think Sara from the Silver Hawks also fancies him."
Valah eyes grew wide.
"That's a lot of people but.." she looked down at herself. "I will try my best! Wait… did you just say a goddess?"
"Oh yes. You will meet her soon. She's a very lovely girl."
"Oh? A real goddess or just in the looks department?"
"Both."
"Oh…" Valah looked down as if her hopes were crushed.
I placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair.
"Dad! My hair!"
"Honey, you're beautiful and bright. And You're my little goddess. Your old man believes in you."
"Thanks dad." Valah gave me a smile as we walked into the courtyard. "Today's a beautiful day."
"It sure seems like it."
We walked through the training grounds and as we did, Valah spotted someone.
"Dad! Look, it's big boss!"
I looked over and saw boss talking to Grayson as the new recruits stood in a uniformed fashion.
Her eyes seemed to look like they were sparkling under the sunlight as she watched boss. She was so engrossed in watching boss, she didn't look where she was going and I had to pull her to me before she nearly walked into someone.
"Careful honey. We will see him soon. We got business to attend to first remember?"
"Oh yes. Sorry dad."
"Come on let's go."
We walked through the gates and into the bustling streets. We walked for quite a while until we reached the magic association. I took a glance at the tower clock and we're on time. Standing outside and looked very pissed off was Faron.
Faron spotted us and simple shook his head.
"You're late."