Ben woke at the first of dawn only to find Eleanor already packing away her cot. Unfortunately, the only communication they really made was brief eye contact followed by awkward smiles and grumbles about early mornings. It wasn't until they were ready to brace the desert once again with sun above them that one of them spoke. Ben had just adjusted the pack around his shoulder when he turned to Elle.

"I'd say we're about half a day away, then?"

"I suppose so," she said, shielding her eyes. "Another mile or so and we should be at the spot where you found me."

"Ah, the memories," he let out a heavy sigh.

"Don't get too excited. We're being watched."

"Hmm?" Ben looked around to see nothing at all. He wondered how it was Elle could even tell those sorts of things. She had always had a keen eye. Better than his own, though he would never admit it. As they began to continue their journey, he started looking for the small signs that he knew she must have noticed. She wasn't saying anything. And she didn't look the least bit suspicious, which rather bothered him in all honesty. Finally, just as the clay rock around them opened up to reveal the vastness of sand, he caught a shadow disappear behind a pillar.

"Elle," he whispered.

"There is no use," she said, turning to face him. "They know we're here. You should brace yourself for an ambush."

Just then, she dropped her pack and before his heart could skip a beat, her sword was out and they were surrounded by at least six sand furies that had erupted from the ground. He didn't even have time to relieve himself of his own baggage, not that his rifle would be of use. Elle was right, they were fast and on top of him without a moment's notice. He did his best to defend himself, but was only able to deflect their attacks without countering. Their fighting style was by far the most unpredictable he had encountered. And when he thought he was able to calculate their moves, he was uppercut with a foot to his jaw landing him on the sandy floor. Luckily, they were smaller than him and he was able to fight back with more strength, throwing off the sand fury that attempted to strike while on top of him.

All the meanwhile, Eleanor lashed out against three, landing flurry after flurry. When she drew back her sword, waiting for timing and getting the correct position, they hesitated. They recognized her skill and quite possibly who she even was the second they attacked. While Ben fought with maybe one or two, Eleanor was being surrounded by many. Little did they know, Eleanor had been holding back. She did not like using her gauntlets as they made her feel weak, as if they were a secret weapon only to be used against formidable foes. So as they cautiously crowded around her, thinking she was preparing yet another whirlwind flurry, she was actually charging the electricity in her gauntlets, channeling the Will that flowed through her. They did not notice until it was too late and her skin was glowing bright. She unleashed her power and watched as they stood twitching before her, their clothes turning black and eventually crumbling to ashes.

At that moment, most of the sand furies had backed away, even from Ben who was bleeding from his arm and lip. Eleanor advanced on them, making her way to Ben's side. She had planned to give one final attack when a battle cry from the furies rang through the rock. And just like that, they vanished, back flipping into whatever holes they came from.

"Well, that was entertaining to say the least," Ben said, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"They're not done yet," she replied.

And just as she predicted, a rope came soaring from the air, finding its way around Ben's neck. Eleanor reached out to help him, but was not quick enough. He flew backward and dropped his sword, grabbing the noose in an attempt to loosen it. His back slammed against one of the rocks and the person on the other end was tugging him quickly up. He gurgled and struggled to find air. Eleanor looked up to see two sandfurries with their hands on the rope. The glared down at her as they let Ben strangle in the air.

"Stop!" Eleanor shouted. She threw down her sword and flung her hands into the air. "Don't hurt him. Please."

She had to think quick. And there was no doubt in her mind that they had not forgotten her. They weren't going to let either of them live. As she stood there assessing her situation, several more sand furies appeared on the rocks above her, all wielding crossbows aimed directly at her. They wanted nothing but vengeance. They were not peaceful people. They were violent. Elle knew very little of what she could do to expect a decent outcome. There was only one option. To speak out. To tell them the truth.

"The Darkness," she cried.

A few of the long ears perked at the mention of the name.

"That's why I'm here. That's why I was here before."

A few crossbows lowered. She watched as several of the sand furies exchanged expressions. That was what Eleanor could guess, anyway.

"Please, just let him go. I'll tell you everything. And if you want, you kill me. But he hasn't done anything wrong. Please."

The rope loosened and Ben dropped a foot closer to the ground. He had managed to wedge his fingers between the rope and his neck. It was easier to breathe, but he was certain his fingers were going to fall off.

"The temple will fall," Eleanor continued. "I will make certain of that. And then you can expand your tribes into that side of the desert. You can enter those ruins. Plunder those treasures."

One of the sand furies had let go of the rope, forcing the other to let go in fear of being pulled off the rock. Ben hit the ground with a loud thud and there was a sound of quiet chatter as the two bickered amongst each other. There was another battle cry, though it was much different than the others. Eleanor turned to see a sand fury, much larger and well-armed leap down from one of the rocks. Wielding a large spear in one hand, it approached Eleanor. It walked so gracefully with its shoulders back and chest out in pride. It examined Eleanor with eyes unseen. And in complete silence, it pointed out into the desert.

"Yes. The temple. I've got explosives. The whole thing will crumble and I will find the source of power within it. The Darkness will be no more in Albion."

The sand fury hissed.

"Whether you like it or not, these sands belong to me now. I am responsible for keeping the land safe. For all of us."

A low cat-like growl came from the throat of the fury. It pointed again to the desert and then to Ben. It made a motion with his hands, suggesting that Eleanor should go.

"No," Eleanor shook her head. "I'm not leaving him."

The sand fury slammed the butt of its spear into the sand with another growl.

"I need him," she pleaded. "I can't set off the explosives without him."

Eleanor was certain the fury had never seen dynamite in its life. It would be to her benefit if she lied only a little. The beast pointed to Eleanor. Then to Ben. Back to the desert. And waved its arms gracefully above its head.

"Yes. We will," Eleanor made the same motion, "blow up the temple."

The fury shook its head and pointed to its feet.

"What?" Eleanor became confused.

It pointed to the desert again and then to its feet.

"Look, if I am successful, you won't have to worry about those big golden things ever roaming the desert again. If I'm not… well… I'll probably die."

Ben sat aside quietly, nursing the rope around his neck. He had a clear shot and he would take it if he needed to. But he would not dare make a move so bold while Elle was negotiating. From what he could make out, the sand fury was evaluating the current situation. He had to admit, if he had to make the same decision as Eleanor, he would have unleashed fury long ago. Then again, he was never good with strategies.

The sand fury broke the silence by making its way over to Ben. He placed his hand on the strap around his chest, ready for whatever was about to happen. Eleanor held out her hand at her side, also ready to give him a signal. The fury leaned its spear against the rock and took a dagger from its belt. It kneeled before Ben, pointing the end of it to his face. He gulped in fear and looked over its shoulder to Eleanor. The fury let out a small chattering noise from behind its mask and slid the dagger through the rope. With a single pull, she released the rope from around his nick. He let out a sigh of relief, relaxing and sliding down the rock.

"Thank you," Eleanor said, easing the tension in her shoulders.

She bent over to pick up her sword. When she straightened backup, the fury stood before her with its hand stretched out. Eleanor looked at it in confusion. It closed it and then opened it back up quickly.

"You… you want something? Payment?"

It repeated the notion with its hand.

"O-okay," Elle replied reaching for the coin pouch on its waste.

The sand fury hissed.

"You don't want gold coins? I suppose they aren't of any use to you."

Eleanor thought for a moment. She did not have any gems to give. Or anything valuable, really. She leaned over to get sight of Ben. She shrugged with an open mouth. Ben held up a finger and began to dig in his satchel. He smiled excitedly when he found the shawl he had slept with night before and held it up above his head.

"Here," he exclaimed. "This. Take this."

Ben tossed it and with a single motion, the sand fury snatched it from the air. It ran its fingers over the material and looked up the rock to see its comrades nod in approval. As if to agree to the terms, it nodded to Eleanor and wrapped the shawl around its neck. With one last victorious cry, the sand fury leapt onto the rock and disappeared. Its followers trailed behind it.

"What… what the hell was that," Ben stammered.

Eleanor collapsed on the ground, throwing herself into a fit of laughter that rang through the rock. Ben crawled over to her to join her in amusement. Once they were finished and their wits became about them, they stood up, firmly grasping each other by the arm. Ben wiped the remaining blood from his lip.

"Will we expect to see them again?"

"I'd bet money on it," Eleanor straightened out her back.

"Was that their leader?"

"That was one of the matriarchs. From what I've gathered, they don't have a single leader. The strongest one leads a pack at a time. They are given the best weapons and armor. But I couldn't tell you more than that."

"I can't say I would really want to know more."

"I knew this was going to happen," Eleanor said, strapping her pack back onto her shoulder.

"Don't blame yourself. I knew what I was getting myself into."

"Just wait until you see the sentinels."

"They already sound lovely."