“ You want us to do what?”, screeched the snowy owl, “ Go against the Dranus and the bats—insanity!”
"Ruffletin is right," replied Tion, " I will not risk the flock over a dream."
Gabriel quickly jumped in front of the eagle, which took Tion by surprise.
"It was more than a dream," said Gabriel, " All of you just follow me outside the mountain and I’ll prove that what I say is true."
"Gabriel’s arm is evidence enough for me," said Gideon coming Gabriel’s aid, " We all saw the infection. You said he had no hope of recovery and now his arm is completely fit.
Secondly, if he did see the Holy One’s Son, I will not doubt Gabriel's words or God's."
The speech, although noble and honest, was not falling on valiant hearts. The birds of Brunehaven, above all creatures in the world of night, feared Dranus. Even Astra whose deed could be described as nothing less than courageous, stood silently overlooking the two hares. Again the plea for action was given; again it was taken with much reluctance.
"An idle dream, that all it is," replied Ruffletin.
Samson came forward with Ragel and Peppi.
"Enough of the debate," replied Samson, "There are children that are captive. They are afraid alone and above they need our help. Now my friend here, " he said referring to Gabriel, "Says he knows the way and will have a weapon to get us there. I say we give him a chance. If he’s wrong then what he has said has been an idle dream. If he’s right we all become a little wiser and the truth will be known. I beseech you, Tion, listen to him."
The bald eagle paced back and forth along the mountain floor, musing over the proposal.
He stopped with his back turned and spoke.
"If this cave does exist, and you show me the sword, we will follow this Son of the Holy
The birds of Brunehaven were in an uproar. They were not willing to assent to their leader’s rash decision. Hagabel, feeling that it was her duty to bring the bird to his sense, came forward to speak.
"The unicorn is not to be reckoned with, Tion," she said walking up to him, " he has left us alone all these years. Let us not test the waters."
"He is the reason why we fly in the cave in the first place," replied Tion.
"I still say we should ignore the rabbit. Who here is willing to face death over a dream?"
Hagabel was quite influential: some of the birds began to side with the fat hen. Astra stepped forward to tip the scales back to Tion; and Hagabel, if she could, would have given the falcon a good pecking.
"Hagabel, the unicorn is the one who forced us here. Staying here is what he wants, he doesn’t care if we all starve to death or ripped to shreds by the bats. It’s time to take back what was ours. I know all of you are tired of this mountain. Let us at least see if what Gabriel says is true; and if it is, I say we fight for the skies again."
Most of the congregation gave a terrific cheer, and it was enough to sway the opinion to Tion and hold the tongue of the fat hen.
"Worthy words from a worthy bird," replied Tion.
"Fine," said Hagabel relenting, " but I’m not fit for flying."
"We can all see that." returned Astra.
The crowd snickered and the fat hen pointed her beak in the air and shuffled her heavy self back into the crowd, knocking some birds over in the process.
"All right, Gabriel, you have your wish," said Tion, "You can ride on my back."
♦
Gabriel got aboard. Gideon and Samson rode with Astra. Peppi rode with a hawk, and Ragel rode with Ruffletin. Out they went, with other birds following, and to their astonishment they found that the night sky was gone. All of them were jubilant to see the blue sky and the colorful world. The birds wanted to fly forever among the clouds, but a more important issue as to be dealt with.
The birds landed near the mountain’s base. Gabriel jumped off and proceeded to look for the shining boulder. He scrambled along the rocky slope dismissing the others remarks about how foolish he looked or about certain boulders they thought was the right one.
Gabriel heard the murmuring, complaining, and the sighs as he passed from one boulder to another.
"See, it was all in his head," replied Ruffletin to Tion, " This is not real."
Suddenly there came a shout of joy from Gabriel.
“Here it is!"
Everyone ran up to meet him. The boulder that was there was nearly obscure. It looked like it was apart of the mountain itself. In Gabriel’s eyes, the boulder did exactly what was told to him: it shined like silver in the morning. However, to everyone else it was just an old rock.
"How do you know that this is the right one?" asked Tion.
"Believe me,” Gabriel said with a grin, “This is it.”
"Now what?" said Peppi.
“We have to move it,” said Gideon, “ Samson.”
The wolf took hold of the boulder and with all his strength, but to the dismay of the others, the rock did not move.
“I’m usually able to move any object.” said the wolf.
Gabriel had an inkling of what to do, but he could not remember. He scratched his head, and then it came to him. “Of course,” he thought, “He told me to ask.” Gabriel did exactly that and after the last syllable, there was a crackle that was so sudden that it made everyone jump back from the boulder. Then a strange grumble came from the mountain and the boulder crumbled right in front of them. A large dark opening awaited them.
Gabriel, climbing over the rubble, slowly made his way over to the cave.
“Wait,” Gideon said pulling his sword, “ I’ll come with you.”
" No, I was told to go alone."
"There could be danger," said Gideon.
"True, but you said it yourself: God will be our guide in the trouble. I- I trust Him, Gideon. I trust Him with everything!”
Gideon, surprised by his pupil’s change of perspective, gave a nod and Gabriel entered the cave.
"You shouldn’t have let him go alone," said Ragel.
Gideon lowered his head, as if remembering his struggle during the time of Shavron’s rebirth, and replied to the dog's complaint.
"Well, there were times when I did things that some thought I should not, but the Holy One always made me understand that I couldn't go wrong by obeying Him. Gabriel is different. He was always so against the notion of God, but now- he’s different. This wasn't done by a dream, but by the Lord Himself."
The multitude watched and waited for the black hare to return. Inside, the cave was darker than Gabriel wanted it to be, but after his eyes adjusted to allow him to see, navigation through the darkness became easy. A maze of stone greet him. Pillars of stalagmites towered high above him as water dripped down creating small pools of water.
Gabriel made his way deeper inside, looking for that glowing pool. The entrance was far behind him, and the voices of his friends, that gave him some comfort, fainted away.
Gabriel was becoming more apprehensive with every moment, the specific pool was nowhere in sight. Up ahead the cave floor sloped down. Gabriel crept up to the edge, and looking down into the deep darkness, he shuddered from the thought of going down. It would have been better to have the pool in a safer place, but without challenges nothing can be accomplished; and Gabriel knew he had to make the move.
♦
Gabriel went up to the edge again, looked over, and walked away. He took a moment to gather himself and finally made up his mind to go down. He inched over and slowly descended into the deep. He quickly found out that the slope was slippery. He tried to be careful, but lost his footing, causing him to slide. Downward he slid, nearly hitting a few rocks on the way down, until he ended near something that was very bright. Gabriel tip-toed over to the strange wonder before him; and there, clear and bright, was the pool.
The light pulsated, giving a glimpse of light every few seconds. The hare stood over the pool agape from the sight. Remembering what he was commanded to do, he rolled back
his sleeve and slowly stuck his hand inside the water. The moment he did the pool stopped pulsating. Suddenly light appeared throughout the whole cave. Gabriel began to pull his arm out of the pool. As he did, the water formed into a bright, single-handed double edged sword. The blade itself was pure light, untarnished by the world of night.
Gabriel shook as he held the sword in his hand. His hand quivered from the
overwhelming power that saturated the weapon. He swung the blade a few times,
watching the particles fling into the air, yet returning to the blade as if magnetized.
"This is amazing,” he said, laughing.
" I know," came a voice behind him.
Glory smiled as he looked over his warrior. Gabriel knelt down in worship.
" Rise. ”
"How do I use this thing?" said Gabriel standing to his feet. “It’s all weird looking and---”
" I will teach you, ” said Glory placing his hands on Gabriel’s shoulder. “ That blade cuts deeper than just flesh and bone: it cuts as deep as the soul itself. With My father’s word," he said pointing at the sword, " You'll defeat Dranus. Gabriel, I am pleased with you and I love you. ”
The words had pierced the heart of the hare. No one, not even Gideon, had told him that; and for the first time he believed that someone actually loved him. It was something he needed to hear, and it brought him to bury his head into his Creator's shoulder and cried.
Outside, the group saw the sudden appearance of light.
"Should we go in," said Samson.
"I see why not," replied Gideon.
Despite their eagerness to aid Gabriel, he was already emerging from the mountain with blade in hand. The fowls gathered around to get a look at this gorgeous weapon.
"See, exactly as I told you."
Suddenly the sword began to shimmy and shake. Gabriel grabbed it with both hands, but it was impossible to control.
“Hey, what’s going on!” cried Gideon.
“I—I don’t know!” shouted Gabriel.
The sword exploded, engulfing the birds in a sphere of light. Being blinded, no one saw what was happening, but once the sword returned to its prior state. Gabriel looked over all the fowls before him.
“His word not only will defeat the Dranus, but has dispelled the curse from all of you.”
The birds looked at one another, and the cry of excitement; the cacophony of praise could have been heard for miles to come.
“Look at you Tion,” said Ruffletin, “That bold white head, the brown feathers
commanding greatness, your talons of might, your---”
“Thanks, Ruffletin, I got the gist of it.”
The leader walked over to Gabriel.
"You were right. Whoever spoke to you, Gabriel, has knowledge beyond Dranus. If He says we can go against the bats, then surely the victory is sure. What do we have to fear?”
“Nothing,” said Gabriel, “ Nothing at all.”
♦
Over the next few hours, everyone was discussing how to attack the bats. Ruffletin suggested a stealth attack at night, but many of the birds were enjoying the sun and many hoped that the moon would not rise again. Tion suggested rallying other creatures to help them, but Gideon doubted that anyone else would help and it would take weeks to find someone willing enough to help them. Then a mouse bird hopped forward and said that they should gather as many birds as possible, attacking as a team. This was the best and most noble idea, and of course, they all agreed upon it.
The birds returned to the mountain and told the news to the others. There was much talking, everyone wanted to have a word. Tion assured them that it was the right thing to do. Hagabel, of course, had a different point of view.
"The right thing to do?— of all the nonsense!" she said. " Lives are at stake. Many of us have young ones. Are you going to send them off into the fangs of the bats too? Are their lives worth it, Tion?
"They won’t have a life living in this mountain," replied the eagle, " If they can fly they must come with us. Every bird must fight."
“By whose word?” said a voice in the background.
"By God’s!" Gideon said with curtness.
Hagabel walked up to Gideon, looked him over with the utmost of disgust, and give him her back. Gideon had the notion of tearing out her feathers, but he knew that such a deed would not have helped the situation.
"This is stupidity, Tion, and frankly I think you've been our leader long enough. I say we find a new leader a better one who will look after are best interest."
"Oh be quiet." replied Astra, “ Are you blind, look at us! We are changed and God has done it. He’ll help us.”
“SHUT UP!” screamed the fat hen, “I’ve had enough of your beak! Everyone is so excited about God, well then, where is He? He's not here. I haven’t been changed! Let him show up and give the orders, then maybe I’ll consider this. I for one will not see the flock destroyed on the frivolous words of an outsider, and those who care about this flock will stay here. We have been safe all these years. No one can beat the bats or the unicorn-NO ONE!
Suddenly, Tion pounced right in front of Hagabel, sending her straight on her bottom. Her eyes widened as the large bird towered over her.
"Now it is I who has had enough of your beak. We have been one flock. I will not have you cause a schism. We fly tomorrow. The birds that care for the livelihood of this flock will be outside in the morning. We have a battle to face, the cowards stay behind; the brave stand true."
All the birds looked at one another, none revealing the deep intricacy of their thoughts; none saying what they would do.