The Misguided Sun

As he looked out over the landscape that was site four, Albus could barely hear his own thoughts over the din of men and simple muggle machines. Men scampered hither and thither seemingly everywhere all at once. Dozens of voices shouted and exhorted their fellows to keep digging. In the middle of the site was a large gaping crater that extended at least thirty meters downward and stretched nearly fifty meters across.

Evidenced by the swirling clouds of sand and dust that hovered over the center of the site, the diggers were making fast progress. A set of men followed the diggers shoring up the tunnel walls and ceiling with wood supports. These men came in loaded with wood and other materials. Coming out they shook off the sands clinging to their clothes while gulping down the water offered by the ubiquitous water boys. After a few minutes of rest they would return again arms laden with wood beams. Once the supports were secured another set of men entered the tunnel and repetitiously carried the excavated sands away to another site further way. This well orchestrated circus was supervised by the three assisting wizards of the expedition. Albus and Minerva stood some distance away on a high sand dune observing the site. Khalil sat cross-legged below them.

Minerva scrutinized the activity with a trained eye. Everything was working smoothly. "This area was once a fertile plain before the climate changed so drastically. We continue to find evidence of civilization meters below the sands. It was the reason I wanted to excavate here instead of the more famous sites up river."

"There was a thriving city here?" Albus asked.

"Oh, yes. Abu Sindel was a well known economic center for agricultural goods as well as mined ore. This small area where we're excavating was the center of the religious area. Many of the Egyptian gods had their own temples. In times long past, all around here were farmers and grazers. A ready labor force for any building project."

"What have you found thus far?"

Minerva lowered her voice. "Our initial scans missed the tomb but on a second sweep, we picked up an energy signature indicating magic was used in the area and in fact seemed to be emanating from a long distance down underground. We tried deeper scans and found a rather extensive building."

"Interesting and rather curious."

"We're at about a thirty meter depth now and we expect the entrance to be somewhere in the fifty meter depth." Minerva explained. "The tomb, and we've determined that it is a tomb from the scan layout, may be largely intact. Buried as it has been I doubt tomb robbers have had their way with it."

"Is it normal for a tomb to be so deep?"

"No. If I didn't know better I would think that it was deliberately buried. Of course that's absurd. All our research in Cairo indicate that there has not been an expedition in this area for decades. In fact there was a planned excavation in the 1900's but that never progressed past the planning stage. The desert has had all this time to reclaim the area burying the tomb more and more over the years and -"

Minerva paused in mid sentence. One of the researchers was making his way towards them at a fast clip waving his arms as he went. Alarmed, Minerva made her to way to him followed by Albus and Khalil. "What is it, Claude?"

"We've found a stone slab. It looks like a piece from the tomb's entryway." Claude Nalette panted. Despite his many years in Egypt and having married a native, he had never fully acclimatized to the weather. Beads of perspiration ran down his face.

"Is it a full slab or partial?"

"Partial." Claude lowered his voice to a near whisper. "It reeks of magic, Minerva."

"Order all activity ceased until further notice." Minerva grinned. "We may be on to something."

The small group made their way to the bustling camp. Minerva waited eagerly as the slab was dragged carefully out of the work pit. She opened her emery bag and took out a miniaturized brush. Carefully she expanded the brush to its full size without anyone noticing what she was doing.

She kneeled in front of the slab. Its very color was unusual. It was an aqua-green shade with white mottled flecks. Behind her she could hear Claude murmur "Amazonite. Sacred to the ancients."

"I've never heard of Amazonite, Claude."

Claude lowered his voice. "It's not naturally mined in this area, Minerva. Very unusual to find a block this size."

"I see." Minerva made a full circuit around the slab. "Why this material? Why not sandstone or granite instead."

Claude nodded his head. "Yes. Strange choice for a tomb. Amazonite was said to soothe the mind and calm the spirits. It has also been called the stone of courage I believe."

Minerva used the brush to gently remove a thin layer of dust and sand. The hieroglyphs she uncovered were clear. As she translated, she said the words out loud.

Abraxos, ill favored son of Thoth

Torch bearer of the misguided Sun.

Mark well his final rest, ye disturbers,

Hathor's gaze shall sit upon thee as the Sun over the land.

"That's all for this slab. Claude, any sign of the continuation of this piece?" Minerva stood up. She instructed two of the workers to bring the slab into the main tent for further investigation.

"Not yet, Minerva. We will dig slower and be more careful." Claude replied. "I'll run another scan later tonight."

"We better find out exactly what we have on our hands before we do anything rash." Minerva stood. "Khalil, it seems we may be here for a while. Please inform your father that lunch will be served here."

Khalil left instantly. Albus followed Minerva into the large and spacious main tent. It seemed to actually have been three large tents spliced together. The slab was carefully lowered and balanced on four sawhorses devised for just such a purpose.

"Strange wording for what is essentially a tombstone." Albus murmured bending over the slab himself.

"It's an epitaph, a warning and a curse put together, Albus." Minerva said. "One can always tell the status of the tomb's owner by the power of the guarding curse. Hathor was the destroyer of humanity according to some legends. That indicates that we will encounter a very powerful curse. "

"And Abraxos, ill-favored son of Thoth? Does that imply a magician?"

"Without a doubt. Many wizards and some witches aligned themselves with his worship both for the protection it offered as well as the access to the knowledge housed in the various temples. They acted as priests and priestesses in various religious rights." Minerva closed the tent door and brandished her wand.

"What do you make of 'Torch bearer of the misguided Sun'?"

"Misguided sun that can only be a reference to Amenhotep the Fourth who discouraged and changed all worship and customs of any other gods in Egypt save for Ra, the sun god. The pharaoh changed his name later in his reign to one more familiar to modern times - Akhenaten. After his death, his wife Nefertiti became pharaoh. Their son Tutankamun returned Egypt to the customs of old before his untimely death." Minerva whispered a quick and gentle cleaning spell. Dust flew up and away. "The torch bearer may mean a champion or one who stood on the pharaoh's side. This Abraxos might have been close to the royal family, a trusted adviser. Perhaps, one persecuted for supporting the pharaoh once Tutankamun came into power."

Albus rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Can the curse yet be active even after all this time?"

"These tomb curses lose some of their power over the centuries but not much." Minerva cast a protection spell on the slab. "The Egyptians made curse creation a near art form."

"Ah, you've added curse breaking to your list of accomplishments then."

"Somebody has to do it. Why not me?" Minerva grinned at him. "Care to help?"

Albus turned serious. "I would have to postpone my return trip tomorrow."

She focused her attention on him forgetting the slab entirely. "How selfish of me. You have duties at Hogwarts. The term is about to start isn't it?"

"I have already missed the first few days of class." Albus moved around the slab until he stood next to her. "Do you want me to stay?"

Minerva touched his cheek then traced his lips with her fingers. "Can you spare another day or two?"

"I have always done my duty, always. I believe it is long past I did something just for me." Albus leaned into her and their lips met in short kiss.

Piers sat back on his camel and reflected that he had had little choice in the matter. Dumbledore had driven him to this decision. He would make sure that one day Minerva knew the truth. She would realize in time that all he did was for her benefit and love him all the more for it. Of that he was most certain of.

Piers pulled out a rolled parchment from his bags. He unrolled it and read its contents again.

Piers,

I am now ready to finish the potion as we had discussed. It will need to cure for twenty four hours after the addition of the personal items I had specified earlier. Your presence is required for the charm invocation. As such, I will be expecting you in Luxor in a few days. I have also finished a port key that will hasten your return to camp.

Professional ethics demand that I remind you of the potion's potency. It is very aptly named Forgesi Deziro - to forget the heart's desire - and truly effective. The charm and the potion's combined effects are permanent. No counter charm or antidote has ever been devised against this particular combination. If the recipient fights the effects, the pain will be intense and greater harm may ensue. You must be certain that its use is an absolute necessity.

I must express my surprise if these items are intended for your lovely and devoted Minerva. When last you both visited me, I was most certain that she had eyes for no one but you. Is there no other way to win your lady's heart?

Your faithful friend,

Abdul Ramallah

Piers laughed softly to himself. "Yes, my friend, I am quite sure that this is the only way. I have waited all this time and I will not give her up. I will not take any chances not when I am so close to my heart's desire."