Word spread fast around Centerville about the impending journey once more of the town's resident hero (Louis), and of Mr. Beamer's now ever increasing involvement.
Streetlights were kept dim at night, while most of the townsfolk stayed inside their homes for fear of an unwanted visit from Petar, or one of the Missouri Rats. School was suspended for the rest of the year, as all of the children in town went into hiding, inside of their homes.
All of the toys in town were destroyed for fear that one of them may have come from Black Jack Tilly and the North Pole last year. The following day a large bonfire fire was lit in the town's main square where all of the evil toys were burned.
Louis once again stayed the better part of the next two days in his room reading all could about the great City of Kalapa and the Road to Shambhala", but mostly he read about King Kulika, his future instructor and future master.
The other ancients (Doc Wellman, Turk, Mr. Waterwick and Mr. Pennywell) along with the Arions (Mr. Belvedere and Baron Von Beck) all decided with the prodding's of Mr. Beamer, to set up a central meeting place in Mr. Beamer's barn for the town folks, so they would be able to get any updates, and information as it became available.
An awful feeling of worry and dread blanketed Centerville. There were so many rumors, un-truths, and speculations spoken under breadth, that everyone became so very troubled. Doc Wellman and the others tried their best to quell the rumors of impending doom and calamity, but could not.
Mr. Beamer was not to be bothered or interrupted, he locked himself up in his attic for his remaining days in Centerville, plotting and fine-tuning his plans for Louis, and making plans for their immediate departure.
Jeremy and Hattie May had been told of the final plans, and were in complete agreement, and support of Mr. Beamer and Louis. They understood the full gravity of the situation and they would not intervene. Both understood that Louis was a special child and that he truly was, the Chosen One.
Finally, the day of action and great deeds had arrived.
The mid-morning sun gave warmth and comfort to all, who had assembled in front of Mr. Beamer's barn, on the large grassy front yard. Louis showed up with two medium saddle-bags packed with some of his books, his flute, his bear-skin coat, some of Black-Elk healing magic, and in his leather carry-all (that he also brought), could be seen the Good Book of Thebes, The Sworn Book.
Mr. Beamer as well, had packed two medium-sized saddlebags. What mysteries, spells, and incantations they held, only he knew.
Food and water was well distributed into two similar sized bags that were to be hung off the sides of the saddles that Turk the Blacksmith, had brought over from his blacksmith shop. The saddles were made of the finest leather, and the quality of their workmanship could not be matched. Turk had them crafted, especially for Junior and Charlie.
The whole town it seemed had turned out for their morning departure, for the news of their leaving, had spread fast. Centerville was so used to the celebrations, carousing, and merriment associated with Louis's antics that it was almost as if, it was just another day in the life of Louis the Red and Centerville, but all knew that this journey would be like none other than he had been on before.
Little Louis knew that he would need all the support he could get from his friends and family on this day, as he arrived at the town's main square, with his mom and dad. After climbing down out of the wagon being pulled by Mr. Belvedere, Louis waived to the crowd, and shouted out words of confidence and defiance.
"Don't worry everyone. I will be just fine. Mr. Beamer and I will bring back all of our friends, safe and sound. Don't go worrying now about that Squint-Eye Pete...er...Petar. I will box him about the ears. You just watch!"
"Louis, you off on another famous trek, to save the world, again?" asked Short-Stack.
"Yeah, you know me. Always with the world saving stuff, you know doing something for the little people."
"Hey, that's not funny Louis."
"Oh, no pun intended Short-Stack. I guess I'm just a little nervous, and not thinking just right today."
"Well good luck anyway, with your future training in Tibet, fighting of that evil Dark Lord, Petar the Black Fire."
"Well, way to calm my nerves Short-Stack, as if I am not nervous enough as it is."
"Oh one other thing Louis, I want you to have some of my stinky heat balm; the stuff that Santa gave me last year. You're going to be doing real athletic stuff with flying around on horses, dodging evil and the like. Who knows you might need it to bring you around someday if you faint; you know the smell and all, or just use it to cure an ill or pain. Hey it works for me."
"Thanks Short-Stack; hopefully I won't need it, but if I do I will sure be thinking of you."
"Good luck as well," said Tessie as she made her way through the crowd "bring Molly home safe now, OK! Tell her I bought a new shade of lipstick and I want to see her wear it someday."
"We'll get Molly home safe, don't you go worrying none Tessie. We'll bring back, Chug, Sammy, and Harry...all back soon enough."
"We know you can do it Louis," said Growling Harry.
"Yeah, don't you worry any; they will all be just fine. It won't be more than a few weeks and they'll be free again, and right back here in Centerville. You just wait and see Short-Stack, Harry."
"Well, that's reassuring to hear Louis. Be safe now," said Tessie.
Tessie gave Louis a big hug and farewell kiss on the cheek. Short-Stack, Jay, Becky and the rest of Louis's friends as well gave Louis words of encouragement, hearty handshakes, and kisses.
"The Mayor Mr. Pennywell and his wife Bernice shook Louis's hand farewell. Turk, Mr. Waterwick the Fire Chief, and Doc Wellman came forward grabbing Louis's hand as well; then another hearty handshake.
Good luck Louis was heard time and again, by all of Louis's friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Beamer was now seen entering the square from the far side. He sat in Baron Von Beck's milk wagon, he was smiling largely as he waived to everyone. As the wagon came to a stop in front of Louis and the crowd of well-wishers, Mr. Beamer threw out his saddlebags onto the ground. He then stood up on the buckboard motioning for everyone to be quite down. With another, waive of his hands he began to speak.
"Now I know a lot of you are very worried about this upcoming quest of ours and of course about the safety of Sammy, Harry, Chug, and Molly. I assure you they are all safe at this time, and we will come to their rescue at the appropriate time. Now as for what you have heard around town, and recently read in the newspaper.
Yes, evil has taken a foothold again in this world and it is ever growing. Some of you know of Big Sal Rossi, and her son Squint-Eye Pete and his band of thugs, Black Jack Tilly, Rags Martin, Big-Belly Bill, Flat-Nose and some of their gang; the Missouri Rats.
Most what you have read about them in the Centerville Gazette, is true and then some. For what all might not know is that they have now summoned a dark evil from the past. An evil from the Neither World, and they are now in possession of the Evil Book of Aka Manah. I know that you have all felt the earthquakes lately that have shaken our homes and farms.
You have seen the thunderbolts come out of clear skies, and felt the presence of evil at the doorsteps to your homes, but I want to assure you that you will all be safe for, me and the other Ancients and Arions that live among you are here to protect and serve you, which is our duty to you."
"Mr. Beamer as you say, we will protect Centerville and the world, and bring all our friends back safely; we only have one problem though."
"What is that Louis?"
"It's a long walk; where might our friends and companions, you know the ones with the wings be?"
"Look to the skies all of you, for our winged friends are arriving as you speak Louis."
Looking far above the ground up into the clear blue country skies above Centerville, could be
seen two brilliant winged creatures circling high overhead; now starting to descend ever downwards towards the lush green dales, and rolling hills of the pleasant valley. Two soft whinny's were heard as Charlie and Charlie Junior flew ever closer towards Mr. Beamer's barn.
Louis turned towards Chug and spoke.
"Charlie is always so theatrical, and over-the-top. Watch this entrance Chug."
"Well, Louis if I could fly, I would do the same thing".
"Good point Chug. Let's just enjoy the show."
Charlie (working the crowd), somersaulted twice, dislodging two feathers from his grand wings in the process, sending them slowly floating towards the grassy field below as Junior followed suite, doing two great summersaults himself in mid-air.
All below sent out shouts of delight at seeing the, great aerial feats being performed for them.
Charlie turned over on his back and glided upside down, in a long slow circular motion towards the ground. Junior flew with great speed underneath Charlie, with his wings tucked close to his sides. This only increased his sped and the difficulty of the maneuver. Junior shot underneath Charlie faster than a lightning bolt travels across a stormy sky, going well over what appeared to be about a hundred miles an hour. This again bought out cries, and shouts from the residents of Centerville.
"That's your ride there to Shambhala Louis, that's your lightning and thunder!" said Mr. Beamer as he pointed upwards.
"Well what are we doing here? I can't wait to get going. Seems like Junior has had some flying lessons in the last few days and it appears, from the best teacher in the world Mr. Beamer!"
"Yes, it seems so."
Junior circled upwards, then shot back down towards Charlie as his majestic upside down circle concluded with Charlie now flying upright, about fifty yards above Mr. Beamer's barn. The two shimmering white magical horses in unison, reared up, slowing their speed to a crawl; then hovering directly above the crowd for a moment to scan the clearing, all the while looking for a safe place to float in, for their grand landing.
Just as Charlie and Junior hooves lightly touched on the ground, Louis's outstretched hands caught Charlie's loose feathers.
"Consider that my gift" said a smiling yet very serious looking Charlie "for one day I want you and Molly to exchange those feathers and wedding vows to each other, one beautiful and enchanting morning on the top of the world, as a new day's sun breaks the silence of the dawn."
Louis smiled at Charlie.
"If all goes well on our new quest, there will be a new day on the summer equinox, in a little less than four weeks time. As the sun rises to its highest apex in the Egyptian desert, high over the Valley of the Kings, Louis will be the victor in the battle of good and evil, and of dark and light.
The world of light will be ours as it has been, and always should be. The forces of dark evil will once again retreat into the shadows of the night, and far depths of the earth, not to bother us again until the time of renewal comes once again. So it shall be!" said Charlie as he, Mr. Beamer, all the Arions and Ancients present; along with Junior, all in unison slowly shook their heads in a positive confirmation of all that was said.
All present gave a moment of silence in regards to the fallen Arions and Ancients, who have been waging this war with darkness throughout the ages.
Tessie, Jay, Short Stack and the rest of the town's folks could not really understand all that was being said by Charlie, but all in a show of respect for the past fallen now all lowered their heads as well, in a moment of prayer.
When Charlie lifted, his head back up with a newfound courage and determination in his face, Short-Stack spoke up.
"Well please bring our Louis back in one piece, and with red hair, not white, like last time, when he lost his cookies, and was almost scared to death by Nebuka the Terrible, now known as Nebuka the Good. Also Louis I brought something for you that you might need on your trip."
"What's that Short-Stack?"
"I bought you my trusted sling-shot. Who knows you might need it someday in the future to fight this evil. Hey it worked for me a few times with scaring off Mitch the Bull dog, when he was going to bite me; just a thought Louis. And again come back safe."
"Thanks Short-Stack, you're a good friend and like you said who knows, I might just need it someday."
"I assure you Tessie, Short Stack and all gathered here today. That I will bring Louis back safe and sound, red hair and all, and maybe just maybe, he will be able to finally control that feisty cowl-lick of his, once and for all" wisecracked Mr. Beamer as he smiled at Mrs. Beamer and Hattie May, who were now rubbing Louis on the top of his glowing red hair.
Louis frowned, his cheeks reddened; then a small smiled appeared on his face.
"I had that cowl-lick beaten on one occasion last week, just out of the blue so I know it can be done. I am going to show you all that my fears, will be conquered and that darned cowl-lick, will not rise again with my fears or doubts every time, as the tides do with the rising of the moon. Mark my words."
Hattie May gave Louis a kiss on the top of his head like only a mother could for her only son. Jeremy gave Louis a warm embrace, "Be safe son, and go become the man you were destined to be. We are all counting on you. Make us proud son."
"I will dad. I will make all of you proud of me. Mr. Beamer I am ready. Let us begin, and let us finish this as soon as we can. For I have another more important quest than this one in the far off future, and that is my quest to start my own family one day and live in peace and happiness with the townsfolk, here in Centerville.
I have a date to exchange vows and feathers one magical day on the top of the world with Molly. I don't want to let her down, so let's embark on our journey to Shambhala then onto Egypt, to find those troublemakers," proclaimed Louis as he hugged his mom with open arms.
Hattie May began to cry.
Louis held Charlie's eagle feather across his heart in a show of love. No more words were spoken between them. Louis gave his mom a slight kiss on the cheek, Hattie May returned the gesture with love in her heart for her brave little Louis.
Mr. Beamer who was wearing a large topcoat (which seemed a little strange considering the mild weather outside) suddenly opened his coat, directly dropping it to the ground below. Now loose from his coats grasped, Mr. Beamer and his fantastical undergarments were now fully exposed to all present.
Stunning: they were simply stunning, in their magnificent.
Mr. Beamer was dressed from head-to-toe in shimmering armor.
It was the classical dressage of the Ancients from a time before time.
Across his broad, well-defined chest, he wore a beautiful corselet of silver chain mail, laced with precious stones and gems. Three large gold buttons were strewn down the center of the coat of arms.
Around his thick arms and legs were well fitted in Persian designed, scale armor. Bronze scales were laced down his extremities, looking like a snake's skin might look. The metal scales were intricately laced, with broad leather bands, tied at the rear. In between each hardened bronze scale was a soft leather tunic, which gave Mr. Beamer the freedom of movement that he might need, during battle.
Metal guards covered his sturdy riding boots. He then pulled from his nearby overcoat two silvery, riding gloves that would come in handy in the cool upper stratosphere of the skies above.
He threw a pair of like-kind riding gloves to Louis.
Louis looked over at the new Mr. Beamer, with newfound respect in his heart.
"Well look at you Mr. Beamer!" called out Louis as he caught the gloves with his left hand.
"And Louis for you, I cannot let you meet King Kulika, your future instructor and future spiritual master in the enchanted City of Kalapa, wearing your old bear skin fur coat, and old traveling clothes from the North Pole. You must be redressed like the future warrior, and king that you will become."
&
nbsp; Mr. Beamer advanced towards the back of Baron Von Beck's milk wagon; appearing again a few moments later with a medium-sized box. He placed it on the ground in front of Louis and spoke again.
"Louis I was up in my attic and found some clothes of your ancestors. I believe they will fit you to a tee. Please will you open the box and accept your, newborn you?"
Louis's eyes lit up.
His pulse slightly quickened, the corner of his lips twisted upwards.
A grand smile was seen across his face.
Mr. Beamer had given the courageous Louis, similar clothing in: style, design, comfort, and grandeur as his. Silver chain mail for a coat; elegantly designed, laced with beautiful stones and gems, of all the colors of the rainbow. Leather straps were entwined into small leather tunica, for the arms and legs; again in the same style and design of Mr. Beamer's.
Found at the very bottom of the box was a silver helmet that was perfectly crafted and held on its surface and etched about its face, the pictures of the great pyramids of Egypt and the illustrious Sphinx.
Louis was awe-stuck.
He accepted the gift with great thanks; giving a hearty handshake and warm hug, to Mr. Beamer. Mr. Beamer retreated again to The Baron's wagon, one last time. He now produced a long shafted spear with a copper tip, a medium-sized copper shield, and a longbow with a quiver of silver arrows.
"A Child-King and warrior must be dressed like a king, and be ready for battle. Come, what may Louis we will not look backwards. Attack is valor; retreat is cowardice. A coward is he, who is driven from his lands. Attack him; he will turn his back. Retreat, he will start attacking. These are the ways of the forces of evil. They respect nothing. They are wretched and craven-hearted.
"Evil will be defeated Mr. Beamer...er...Tut-ankh-Amon. Together, we will defeat this dark force."
Tut Amon mounted Charlie with one quick leap upwards landing squarely on the center of Charlie's back, rustling a few white feathers in the process.
Louis placed all his gifts back into the box, then directly moving to the back of The Baron's wagon. After a quick change of clothes, Louis reappeared in his full regal attire. Louis looked resplendent, and very kingly all dressed up with bow and quiver and shield, strung across his back, and the Staff of Thebans, held in his left hand. He placed his silvery helmet upon his head (which was a little large for him), which slightly covered his blue eyes. After a quick adjustment, he was complete and full of pride, in demeanor and state of mind.
The Child-King was born.
Louis gave Hattie May, and his dad one last hug, shook Short-Stack's hand, and glanced about Mr. Beamer's yard at everyone's smiling faces. He slowly walked over to Panthera, giving him a long heartfelt look.
"Take care of everyone for me Panthera. I will return before the end of the month with good news, be assured of that."
"I will Louis. I will. Take care of yourself, Junior, Charlie, and Tut Amon."
Muncy came, flying through the crowd at the last moment, jumping into Louis's open arms.
"I know I keep going off Muncy, and leaving you my best friend. One day though I am going take you for a long trip, with no one else around, and we will just knock around all day, like we use to when you were younger, and before all this evil stuff started to happen. Would you like that Muncy, would you?" asked Louis as his heart was breaking again, knowing that he was going off, to leave all of his friends and family and especially his Muncy.
Muncy ever the humble and reliable friend just smiled the best he could. He nodded his head up and down then gave Louis a sloppy lick across his face. This brought smiles to everybody's faces.
Louis stood up, wiped his face with his sleeve, then placed Junior's leather reins into his left hand, took two large steps forward, leaping upwards onto Junior's back.
"Good bye everyone!" said Louis.
"Yes good bye all and we will return soon. You shall all know if we were successful in our quest; for on the summer equinox, darkness or light will engulf and encircle the world. Nary the twain, shall meet.
"Bye Louis, take care!" called out Tessie.
"Yeah bye Louis, be brave and may luck be with you!" yelled out Mr. Waterwick.
"I love you Lewey, be sure to brush your teeth regularly" said Hattie May "and the vegetable patch will need to be cleared of those weeds, when you get back, and the fences, will still need to be mended and..."
"Don't worry mom, I will get all those chores done when I come back."
Junior and Charlie lifted off the ground, with a minimum of effort. Their enormous wings began to flutter and flap sending the air below their wings into a wild frenzy. The grasses and leaves on the ground began to swirl about below them, and outward.
Charlie let out another great whinny as Tut Amon shouted out commands, the higher and higher they climbed.
"Towards the east Charlie, light shall rule the darkness and we shall vanquish our enemies as before, for it is written in the Good Book of Honorius of Thebes.
"Remember you were born for this," shouted out Jeremy "you are my son and this is your destiny. Remember your ancestors Louis, they are all famous and brave like you are."
"I won't forget dad. Just believe in me, I will be able to do this.
The sun shone brightly up in the heavens, the skies appeared to be bluer this day, and not a cloud was to be seen, on such a superb day as this. The valleys of Centerville never looked greener, and the cornfields more delightful to gaze upon that surrounded the clearing around Mr. Beamer's barn. The air was perfumed with the smells of summertime in Indiana.
All were nervous and worried though, because a great undertaking to save all of Mankind from destruction, and keep the Under World at bay had begun. One last great battle between good and evil would shortly take place, at the place were all civilization was created so long ago. In the Valley of the Kings under the watchful eyes of: The Pyramid of Giza, The Pyramid of Khufu, and The Pyramid of Khafre that sits directly across from the Great Sphinx.