PROLOGUE

In the middle of the Arabian Desert, death could have many faces. Specially when you are doing some espionage work for the Magic Ministry. The auror Lucian Alverton knew it. Anytime, he could be attacked and no one would ever know about his death. Two months later, when the Ministry would discover, they'd think he had died because he was hungry or in a sand storm.

"I was definitely crazy when I accepted this mission", was his constantly thought.

He was laying with his bally down on a rocky and hot surface. If it wasn't for the thick clothes he was wearing, he'd already be with serious burnings. He was bending over to a canyon. Further down, small points were moving, and the auror could be looking to an ant nest.

The Ministry knew about strange movements in the desert. Despite the peace times, a holocaust like the occurred ten years ago was really avoided.

Slowly turning the crank that was close by his omniocularhe brought the image near. It was concentrated on a strong, tall and rude expression man, whose face was filled with scars. He was carrying two big black sacks, completely banned. Thousands of these were carried into a cave on the past days.

Lucian turned his head a little bit to the other side and saw people walking in a straight line. They were attached to each other, feet and hands. Their clothes were ripped and dirty, and so were the faces. Behind them, a man as strong as the first one; however, his face was covered with a black, pointed hood. Just as the sacks, many people were taken to the cave.

'I think we are going to need some photos.' Lucian put the omniocularaside and took, from a big leather bag, an old camera. He turned some cranks and put the camera in front of his face.

'Come on guys. Smile.' The auror pulled a face, searching for the best angle, with the finger almost pressing the bottom.

When he was about to take the photo, a strong gale passed. Instinctively, Lucian hands were taken to the face, trying to protect the eyes from the sand. The camera fell quickly, breaking as soon as it reached the canyon.

All the activities stopped. As fast as he could, the auror got up and took the leather bag, where he was carrying his things. Grabbed his Weasley's One and went up, ready to fly.

Before he could escape, a strong hand wrapped his forearm. Lucian felt all the blood froze and, suddenly, a vertigo. Soon, the silence was filled up with a lot of echoing 'cracks'.

He was surrounded. Those mysterious guys he had been watching for so many days were, now, standing there, near him. Certainly, it wasn't for give him their welcomes.

Lucian was sudden pulled out of his broom and thrown on the floor. He felt his own blood on his hurt hands. Tried to get up, but a hard kick threw him to the other side.

He could already feel the blood on his mouth and the steamed up vision. He lifted up, resting on his hands and realized that the fall of the canyon was dangerously close. The auror was trying a feeling he never felt all those years: fear of dying.

Lucian felt intensified fear when thick fingers held his neck thigh. His feet left the floor and suddenly he was facing a beardy face, with cruel little black eyes. Besides, he was stupidly smiling. His oppressor walked with him to the abysm and stretched his arm to the precipice.

The auror heard some incentive words, spoken in arabic. The others were enjoying the situation. And Lucian was the main attraction. He silently closed his eyes, unconsciously praying. The fingers of the man started to, slowly, let he go…

Lucian felt like he was floating on the air for some seconds, before be able to see all his life passing through his eyes.