Pieces of white tile broke and cracked. Pale white cave spikes grew from the floor and ceiling. Bo jumped to his feet, grabbing his sword, and Sino moved to Evo’s side. The walls crumbled to reveal pale blue sand with white spikes.

Mounds of slow-moving rock trolls started at them.

“From where stranger?” A loud voice pushed all three beings backward. Bo seemed to sum up some confidence.

“The Lore Estate. I am Guardian Jackson.”

“Here. Why?” It again pushed them back from the booming voice.

“We were brought here against our will. Please excuse our intrusion. It was not our intention. Where are we?”

“Sediment.”

“Sediment?” Bo said in a surprised tone. “That’s far north of the Lore Estate.” He explained to Sino, and Evo thought Sino was aware, he allowed the human the show of leadership.

“How far is Osiri?”

“Journey Osiri? Why?”

“Since we are here, I might as well visit the hidden village.” Bo stated as if it were normal. “I plan on visiting all of Fae as Guardian.”

The rock troll grumbled, but no words were spoken. Soon the ground shook in a quake. It stopped.

“Allowed. Enter the cave found behind Neuten Bushes.” A strange feminine voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. A pale white trail appeared.

“Thank you.” Bo bowed his head respectfully to the rock trolls. Surprisingly the trolls returned the bow. Trolls don’t bow. Sino was impressed. They walked until their leg muscles cramped before they saw the bushes.

The bright yellow thorny plants looked like a flame with orange and red fire. Most fae would probably avoid it, it made a good deterrent. The trail went between a large row of bushes. A small entrance barely noticeable as a tunnel into a cave. However, it wasn’t a true cave but a rock tunnel. On the other side, they found large rolling dunes of sand. Several sand statues, pyramids, and buildings made of sandstone littered the immediate area. The white path lead past two towering statues. On the left, it stood on two feet, hands crossed, head facing right. The neck led to a head of a winged beast. The right statue mirrored looking left but with a slightly more pointed-winged beast. Both held the Ahnk in the center and two walking sticks crossed.

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Once they walked passed, they entered a courtyard of sorts. Small round insects flew past. They were black with spots, but on closer inspection, the spots were translucent. Evo smiled at the insects, especially when one landed on her bronze shoulder, then flew off.

Several buildings dotted the trail, but other than the insects, no beings were seen. Ahead three large pyramids appeared as they walked closer. The insects disappeared. The three pyramids surrounded them. In the middle, a white flat circle with two sandy brown Sphinx lay in the sun waiting for the travelers. Bo immediately bowed once their eyes landed on them. Sino and Evo followed suit.

“I am Guardian Jackson.”

“We know who you are.” The voice was feminine, but sounded like multiple voices of different pitches.

“You may address this figure as Pharaoh.”

“As you wish. Thank you for your audience.” He paused for a moment. “We seek your guidance with Aesopic Legends. Would you be so kind to see if you can translate a stone tablet?”

An altar of sorts raised in a wide bowl on a skinny rock column of sandstone. Sino cautiously removed the stone and placed it inside the large bowl. Before he could walk away, the Pharaoh’s voice added, “We require an offering.”

“What kind of offering do you seek?” Bo asked from behind Sino

“htp di nsw.”

“We don’t speak your language, please allow us some patience and clarification.”

“That he may give an invocation offering of bread, beer, animal, fae, earth, clothing and everything good and pure thing upon which a god lives.” Pharaoh advised.

Sino looked back toward Bo and shrugged in confusion.

“You have anything pure in that bag of yours?” Bo asked.

“I am pure.” Evo’s voice suggested.

“I am not offering you Evo.” Sino replied aloud.

“Wait a minute, she is speaking to you?” Bo asked eyes wide.

Sino nodded. “Via mindspeak.”

“Didn’t think that was important?” Bo asked.

“We have other more relevant challenges to address Guardian.” Sino growled.

“What about a small blood sacrifice?” Bo asked.

“No.” Sino said firmly.

“Why not? I mean if she is willing, if she is pure, we could get the information you need.”

“The answer is No.”

Evo walks forward. She slid seductively down Sino’s body, the action making him ridged in shock.

“What are you doing?” His voice clipped.

She wrapped her bronze arms around his body sinking into his chest. The action though seductive, it wasn’t sexual. He hugged her back, visibly relaxing.

“I love you father.”

“I love you too Evo.”

“Offer accepted.” The Pharaoh’s voice rumbled. The two sphinxes cocked their heads.

Sino dropped his arms. “What offer? We didn’t offer anything yet.”

“Hathor's daughter did in your stead Lycan.”

“Hathor?” Bo questioned. “Who’s that?” Bo asked. Sino only shook his head.

“The text tells a story of two sisters’ journey to a kingdom of Egypt looking for princes to wed. They find Horus-Ra instead. They began to fight for the Pharaoh’s mighty seed. Disgusted by the bickering, the Pharaoh transformed them into two dung beetles. He declared the one who brought him a worthy offering would have his seed to populate their village. For hundreds of cycles, they brought new offerings. None pleased the Pharaoh. Even at this moment, you see two beetles pushing another piece of dung, It may just be those sisters looking to appease the Pharaoh.

“Forgive my ignorance Pharaoh. What does a story about beetles have to do with the Wares and Evo?” Bo pointed to her.