After what felt like an eternity of riding, Maric finally arrived at the foot of a hill with a large towering structure at it's apex.<br/>"Slow down Hephaestus." The knight commanded the horse before climbing off. "Let's take it easy now."<br/>The ride here had left his steed drained, it's flanks trembling from exhaustion. In Marics haste, he was foolish enough to push the poor creature paste it's physical capabilities.<br/>Taking a hold of the reins, Maric gently led the horse up the winding path to the temple, the cape that had belonged to Nimue now folded up neatly in the crook of his arm.<br/>"I hope that I don't upset her by coming this soon." He said to Hephaestus nervously. "Or any of her order for that matter. What do you think boy? Maybe they'll greet you with carrots and apples."<br/>At the mention of his favorite foods being a possibility, Hephaestus nudged Maric's back as if urging him to move faster.<br/>"Easy there now!" The paladin said with a laugh, patting his old friend's face affectionately. "I'm just as eager as you are to get there, if not more. Hopefully we can sort out this confusion soon enough, and then we can have our share of fruit."<br/>The horse was not satisfied with that, so it continued to nudge it's master.<br/>"All right, all right! Calm down, we're almost there anyways."<br/>Arriving at the temple's entrance, Marric convinced his horse to wait just behind him while he made sure they were welcome.<br/>"Hello?" He called. "Is there someone there?"