Missing Golem

The river was relatively calm, and the plains spread out around them. It was only a few more miles downriver to Torre, so the three companions and their familiars were taking time to rest up before greeting those who resided in Torre. There was a bite to the air still, but here in the plains there was a better sense of spring, a hint of new life on the breeze.

Sidra stood at the bow of their boat, looking at the rolling hills as they passed, her cat lounging on her back. Sulien’s Falkreath was scouting ahead like normal, and the stallion himself was talking quietly with their other companion, Voyeur, in the back of their boat.

Sidra sighed softly, knowing she would be glad to be off this boat soon. While she cared for Sulien deeply, she still hadn’t made up her mind about Voyeur. And on the cramped boat she had no opportunities to talk with Sulien, at least not talk about anything that mattered. More than just the idle chatter the trio shared, commentary on the weather or on the surroundings.

A breath of relief came as the star speckled mare saw her companions hawk soaring back toward them, and Sulien’s announcement that they would be there within an hour.

Sidra wasn’t surprised to find a welcoming committee as they came around the bend to The Torre. Two mares stood waiting, as well as two young foals between them. Sidra felt her curiosity rise; she was unaware of any new births in the world.

As they disembarked from their boat onto the dock, Sirona stepped forward.

“Welcome to Torre, Eira sent word of your coming,” the gentle mare said. Her soothing tone and gentle nature made Sidra smile slightly.

“Thank you for the welcome,” Sidra replied. “And thank you for having us.”

Sulien and Voyeur murmured their thanks as well, carefully stepping off of the boat with their familiars.

“Come, we have refreshments inside. It's not quite warm yet, so we can do introductions as we walk.”

Sidra and Sulien walked side by side, Voyeur trailing a bit behind as they entered the city. Sidra couldn’t help her wonder at the bright open markets, or the high tower rising swiftly in front of them. Even in the chilled air, the scent of foods and spices filled the streets, snippets of song and laughter following. It was peaceful and happy, with laughter in the streets and buzz of conversation. It seemed everyone had a purpose, and was happy with it.

“It seems like they are celebrating,” Sulien commented.

“They are preparing to,” Sirona replied. “The celebration of Ostara is approaching.”

Sidra and Sulien shared a surprised look at this. Traveling by sea did take a while, but neither had expected so much time had passed.

“How long until Ostara?” Sidra queried.

“Not for another month,” Sirona said with a slight laugh. “But everyone is indeed excited.”

A nudge from the other mare with Sirona had her turning back to the trio. “Oh right! We got distracted with the celebrations. This is Lunaris, the Healer on High of the Torre, as well as her daughter, Luuedei. And this is my son, Urai,” Sirona said a bit sheepishly.

“Congratulations are in order, it seems,” Voyeur said, dipping his head in respect and greeting.

“Indeed,” added Sidra with a dip of her own head, Sulien following the movement moments later.

“It is good to see the realms growing,” Sulien said with a smile.

Voyeur spent most of the time while they relaxed asking questions about Ostara. Sidra listened eagerly as she sipped her chilled melon juice, Sulien by her side. The traditions of the lands seemed to be celebrated among her mothers allies, but also in different ways. Ostara was much more important in the plains, as Sirona paid respect to Jagmeet as her primary deity. The Ostara celebration was much bigger in Torre than it was in Queensbreak.

In exchange, Sidra and Sulien took turns sharing information about the celebration of Imbolc in Snowhaven, and Sirona shared how they differed.

While they chatted about the holidays, the two young foals played with Lunaris, a strange game which Sidra had never seen.

Noticing her interest, Sirona smiled. “It's a rune game,” Sirona said, and Sidra tilted her head in confusion. “The stones and bones have runes engraved on them. It's thought to be a form of fortune telling, but there is no true magic in them. So the little ones use them for their games.”

Sidra thought about pointing out that runes really could be used to tell the future in the hands of a clairvoyant, but looking at the foals having fun she simply smiled and nodded.

The night passed without incident, not that Sidra expected anything to happen. She walked with Voyeur up the stairs until they reached a set of tower rooms, across from each other. Sulien had been intrigued by the workings of the Tower and was getting a tour of the healing rooms, but Sidra had opted for an early night, Voyeur with her.

“Are you planning to stay for the celebrations?” Sidra questioned as they stood in the hall. She was uncertain of the stallion but she realized after traveling together so long there was so much she had yet to learn about him.

“Indeed,” Voyeur replied, looking out one of the tower windows at the city below. “I would like to learn more about the traditions of my allies.”

Sidra nodded slightly, remembering now that Voyeur was indeed an ally of her mother, and the other lands. That kind of support would give credence to any claim on land that he had.

“You are doing quests for land, aren't you?”

Voyeur nodded. “Yes, I plan to have a land of my own,” he replied. “Though where I have yet to decide.”

Sidra nodded slightly. “I suppose we are all just looking for a place to call our own,” she replied. Voyeur gave her a look that she couldn't quite decipher.

“Indeed, Princess,” he replied, as he turned toward his room. “Sleep well.”

Sidra was still awake when Sulien came back. The young stallion gazed upon the mare from the doorway for several moments, watching the way the city's lights flickered along her profile as she stared out of the window.

“What is on your mind?” Sulien asked.

Sidra startled slightly, as if she hadn’t noticed him.

“Home,” she replied. “Land, even. A place of our own.”

A slight smile came over Sulien’s face as he gazed at the mare in front of him, the moonlight and city lights dancing in her eyes. As Sulien gazed at the mare she was becoming, the multitude of changes that had come over her in their time abroad. He had seen less and less of the spoiled filly from Queensbreak. This trip had been a rebirth for her, molding her into a new shape.

Sulien smiled at the sight.

“Do you think you could do me a favor?” Sirona asked the following morning, and Sidra looked up from her breakfast with a head tilt.

“What do you need?” Sidra asked.

Sirona sighed, looking back down at the note that had been delivered earlier.

“Can you deliver a message for me? There is a golem stationed a way down the river awaiting my response. I’d deliver it myself but I have a meeting with a mare who is going to have a difficult birth.”

Sidra nodded slightly. “I can do that,” she offered, noticing how tired Sirona looked. “Is something wrong?”

Sirona shrugged. “It's been a long winter, and our healing herb stores are low. And now some grazers have been getting in and eating some of our new shoots that are starting to sprout. Ilkay said he might have a solution…. If we don't mind the smell,” Sirona replied with a note of confusion. “I’m asking him to clarify.”

“I’ll set out after breakfast,” Sidra replied, sharing a look with Sulien who nodded in agreement.

“I can also help as needed,” Voyeur added, and Sirona nodded gratefully.

“Thank you all,” Sirona replied.

Wandering out with tasks in hoof, Sidra shared a glance with Voyeur. “We will see you tonight, then,” Sidra said.

Voyeur nodded. “Best of luck,” he said, heading for the healing compound where Sirona was waiting.

Sidra nodded as well with a smile.

As Sidra and Sulien soared over the plains, Sidra considered she probably should have asked for more directions, or perhaps what the golem looked like.

It was mid afternoon by the time Sidra and Sulien landed along the shore of the river, drinking deeply from the waters.

“I haven't seen a golem anywhere,” Sidra said after she had drunk her fill. Her wings drooped from exhaustion; despite their adventures the miles of flying were weighing upon her.

“Me either,” Sulien said with a sigh as Falkreath landed on his back. Sidra’s cat hopped down from her shoulders, stretching after the long hours of flying.

“Should we just… give up? And fly to Arcanum?” Sidra asked with a sigh.

“That might be the only option to get the letter delivered for Sirona in time,” Sulien admitted.

Rallying their strength, the two Quirlicorns took back to the sky after a short rest, flying toward Arcanum to deliver the letter in person.

If they hadn’t been so exhausted and looked back, they would have seen the golem meandering along the shore mere yards further down the river from where they had landed. But instead the pair continued on, flying the entire distance to Arcanum to deliver the letter instead.