The Ebon Dawn

Contents

PROLOGUE

PART I

In the Beginning…..

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PART 2

The cymbals clashed…

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PART 3

The drums boomed…

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PART 4

The trumpets blared…

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PART 5

The choir sang…

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DEDICATION

To The Boss

PROLOGUE

The devil came to me and offered me your soul. I smiled and replied No, this one must come of his own free will.

The devil laughed at me and offered me fame. I said hesitantly, Maybe so. Maybe so.

The devil showed me riches, diamonds, and wealth. Choose as much as you need. How much will you require in return? I slyly asked.

The devil got mad and stammered. What is it I can dangle before your eyes and tempt you with my dear? Just pure sweet love, I whispered in his ear.

He shook his head and turned away, but in a final word, he said, I will come back you know and pursue you persistently.

I know, I smiled. I will see you tomorrow in my dreams.

PART I

In the Beginning…..

Gentlemen. Shall we call this meeting to order? the Boss boomed over the din of murmured voices. With no hesitation, he continued, Callas could you give me a progress report to date?

Callas stood up. A heads turned in his direction. Yes, sir. Everything goes as we have planned. The parents are most delighted. They have confirmed the child will bear his father’s name.

There will be no repercussions with this decision?

No, sir. They search for another. We have been most cautious on the matter for you.

Good. I am pleased. And, the boy?

When I came for him and told him of the journey ahead, he was very happy. He really is a delightful child and very good natured.

Yes. Good. He has always been among my favorites. Now, Karone, what of your progress?

The parents are most anxious. The father is convinced this child will be his long awaited boy."

Too bad. Maybe he will not be too disappointed when he sees the final product of his loins. Arrange that for us, Cassandra, please.

Cassandra glanced up from her note pad and looked towards the speaker. He was her Boss, their Boss - The Boss. His decisions were sacrosanct. His suggestions were commands not to be toyed with or to put in a stack or pile of papers to do later when it might be more convenient to handle. Instead, the Boss required all to react with immediate attention.

Cassandra thought of all her other pending work. It would have to be shuffled and realigned in order to accommodate this latest request. She was used to changes in her daily routine. In fact, when she paused for a minute, there was no routine to her job at all. It kept her on her toes and she needs all her wits and charms about her every minute of the day.

Cassandra made a cryptic note on the pad she held on the gleaming, shimmering table. She hoped the others attending the meeting had not noticed her slightly cocked eyebrow or the slight flush of annoyance on her cheeks.

Cassandra was always give the difficult men to hand. She was meant to appease their egos, to bolster their fragile images they held of themselves, to handle them with a sweetness and tenderness she did not always feel her own self; to bribe with whispered promises of delights which could never materialize in the harsh real world of daylights. She personally longed for the tougher, more complex assignments, but reconciled herself to the job at hand. Men, to Cassandra, were actually simple creatures. They were easy to manipulate and bend to her will. This current assignment would be easy. Matters would be settled quickly.

After taking a sip of tepid coffee, Karone cleared his throat. He continued. I have more to tell you, sir. I have arranged for the package to be delivered tonight, but I must inform you the girl was very upset. She was unwilling to leave and had a terrible tantrum. It seems she enjoys played with the prisms. She likes the lights, colors, and music they produce and is fascinated by them. I had to drag her away screaming.

She is an innocent, the Boss replied. He smiled gently. It was a smile that rarely came. His job status called for tight, reserved control of the emotions. You must see she is appropriately named. And, for goodness sakes, Karone, give the girl some gifts. Let her see, feel, and sense things a normal person would dismiss. If you must, even let her have a glimpse of us now and then. Try to make her happier with our decision.

Karone nodded. Yes, sir. Done, sir.

Now, I am most concerned we conduct this operation with the utmost discretion and patience. Comments from the gallery?

Yes. We have arranged for the children to be placed far apart, but necessarily in different countries. After all, eventually they will have to communicate with one another, Callas said aloud. Internally, he chuckled. It was as if he had a great, secret jokes whose humor was obvious only to him alone. In addition, we ensure upon your command to create the right circumstances for them to meet.

Good. Very good. I am pleased. Anything else at present?

No. We now just wait for the right time.

The Boss scowled. I am always far too aware of the meaning of time. Be sure the children are protected well. Remember we have much to accomplish. Keep me posted. Good evening to you, gentlemen.

A lone candle sputtered out on the table. A gust of wind gushed in the Hall. A heavy sigh of events passed and a howl of portents of the future echoed and reverberated from the walls. The Boss was back in charge this time and had vengeance and retribution on his mind.

When he left, he whistled. It was an off-key discordant sound which exited from his dry lips. The Boss was not the sort of person who had an ear for music or any special ability to carry even the simplest of tunes.

His steps came down firm and solid. If the floors were made of wood, they would have protested with a solid groan. The Boss was happiest when he had special projects in the works. All other aspects of business became unimportant. The Project was all that mattered. He savored the taste of sweet success this time.

 - 1 -

OREGON

I christen thee Richard Lucifer Beebe, Junior. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. Amen.

The baby screamed with loud protesting cries in the church. His wailed echoed and pierced the stalwart stone wall. He jerked away from the warm water placed upon his head. His reactions was almost a revolt against the preacher as if he tried to impale Richard with the hots, searing touch of branding irons.

Dick smiled. He thought nothing of the squirms from his new born child. Instead, he remarked Richard had good lungs. There would be no trouble hearing his voice his opinion later in life. Dick already looked forward to that time - the wondrous time when his son would reveal his special ability and take his rightful place in the world.

Cecilia whispered to Dick. Do you think our little Richard will be as handsome as you are, my dear?

Dick smiled gently into his wife’s adoring eyes. Of course. He has been given a great name to carry on. He will be a find, outstanding young man one day. I have a wonderful feeling about out child. He is very, very special. Wait and see.

Cecilia answered, I have romantic notions he will be like a rising star with such brilliance and white light as the world had never seen before. He will make all nations captive and rapt and conquer every man’s and woman’s heart.

You feel the same way? Dick asked in a conspiratorial whisper.

Yes. He is more than special to me. He is the one we have longed and thirsted for as a people.

We will be tested when he assumed power and control.

Cecilia smiled. The test is far into the future. We shall prevail.

Dick was in a silent muse. His wife had intuitions, dreams, and visions he had learned not to question. It was better to allow her to talk and to pay silent attention. Her thoughts were garbled and incoherent to most, but, for Dick, they were pure chests of gold. He sincerely hope on this vision she was correct.

But, he wondered. What if Richard grew up and rejected his destiny? What if someone else altered his ideas and perceptions of himself that his parents would carefully nurture to maturity? What would happen then?

WEST VIRGINIA

My God, Jessica muttered. Her back ached. It felt as if a wild, untamed horse stomped on her spine. Her arms and legs were swollen and bloated. She needed some relief soon. She had not been able to wear anything but old, tattered bedroom slippers for week now and her wedding band had been locked away at the very beginning of her pregnancy.

She lay in bed writing with intense discomfort and agony. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead and upper lip. The contractions came in quick succession now. Her mouth curled while she cursed the doctor for not arriving yet.

This child is a long time coming, she said through gritted teeth. I feel I have been here for an eternity. She winced as another paint came and subsided. The worried and fretted between the brief periods of relief. All the money they had paid the doctor and yet he had not bothered to rise from his bed at one in the morning to assist with this birth - Their second precious child; the children they had worked hardest to bring into the world. She bit down hard upon her lower lip when the midwife came to check her progress.

Go away. Leave me alone, Jessica shrieked.

Just checking your progress. I believe we are coming along nicely now, Mrs. Randolph. Soon you will have that brand new baby to cradle in your arms.

Rumbles of thunder grumbled in the black sky overhead. Slashes of white hot lightning split the darkness. It hurt her eyes and ears.

Jessica did not care about this child now. Her sheets had become soggy with humidity and body sweat. She was uncomfortable - damned uncomfortable. All Jessica wanted now was relief. She dreamed of a nice, cool shower on this hot, humid, sticky night or to regain a normal body with no more swollen, distorted ankles and hands.

This as her second pregnancy. She felt delight with her bulky, balky frame right now. Her labor pains were tedious, tiring, and troublesome. Her first child had not taken this long to arrive. It was almost as if this new baby did not want to be born to the world. This newborn child seemed to exhibit a shy, hesitant, stubborn streak already. Jessica struck the side of the bed in frustration.

Her husband, Harrison, walked in the lobby with impatience. He fretted about the abnormal time which passed. Jessica had been taken down the hall hours ago. Harrison had work to do, but Harrison worried constantly, and it appeared his worries would soon be quickly compounded. This new baby was just another burden for him to stew, fret, and worry now.

As he waited for word, his head drooped. Money, money, money seemed to be his constant nagging companion. He could not blame Jessica for wanting so much. What bothered Harrison the most was that sometimes he felt Jessica wanted too much - much more than he could possible ever provide.

He glanced at his watch. The minute hand advanced at a snail’s pace. Another hour passed slowly. Too slowly for Harrison’s impatient tastes. He reflected they had waited a long time for this baby. Whether the child would be a blessing or a terror only destiny would determine. Harrison hoped it was a boy. The expense and long wait would be justified then.

Harrison sat silent. Within seconds, a bustling, energetic midwife entered the room. She was full of nervous energy and tenderly carried a red-faced, squalling child wrapped protectively in her arms.

It’s a boy! Harrison exclaimed as he jumped to alert attention. Has to be. He’s such a nice, big child. Great! I’ve got my football player at last.

The nurse cleared her throat. A veil of contempt glazed over her eyes. Men always wanted boys to carry on family names. She quietly hoped Harrison would change his mindset once he saw the baby. His wife had experienced a hard time delivering the child.

Excuse me, sir. I’M sorry. It’s a beautiful little girl, she said while she tried to hand over the child to him. She really is very pretty. An image of perfection and sweet innocence.

Harrison turned quickly away. He did not want this woman to see the obvious disappointment upon his face. Damn, he muttered under his breath as he slammed his fist upon the walls.

He hurried away and left the room. There was no reason to stay around now. Jessica was being tended and she could take care of this baby. The nurse followed Harrison with the baby in her arms. Disappointed because she’s a little girl, sir?

Harrison did not respond. He turned away and walked with great speed down the hall to the elevators. He punched the call button with forced as he mumbled in a low growl. I had planned on a boy. Already had a name picked out and his future planned.

Now, Harrison realized with a great deal of soberness the boys of the family would have to be left up to his brother. Jessica and he had already agreed this would be the last child. Harrison could not imagine his brother ever settling down and marrying someone though. He turned back to look at the nurse. She still trailed him. Hell, yes, I’m disappointed, he blurted. This is my last child.

The nurse smiled back. Harrison noticed it appeared she knew a juicy, gossipy secret. She replied sweetly, "This is