There was only a small gap in the cavern wall to proceed further. Gideon and Gabriel slipped in and emerged safely on the other side. This part of the lair consisted nothing more than a large concave basin where droplets of water collected. The exit was on the other side; crossing through the water was inevitable, and so was the fight at hand.
Gluttmore emerged from the darkness looking on with a whimsical smirk, and slowly descending into the stagnant pool. Gabriel and Gideon, without speaking , proceeded to draw closer to the wart hog.
“Take the left side,” said Gideon, “ I’ll take him from the right.”
Gluttmore awaited the first move. Gideon came first; each blow landed squarely upon the boar’s large tusk. Gluttmore lunged at Gideon; but upon seeing the black beginning to advance, he immediately changed his coarse of action, swing his head at the hare.
Gabriel took a side blow from Gluttmore’s upper body. The young hare came down into the water with a great splash, shaken and blinded momentarily. The sight of his inert companion, gave Gideon the assumption the Gabriel had been killed; and all the fury that a rabbit could muster, Gideon sprinted the enemy before him.
Running towards the boar was a fatal mistake for Gideon--he knew better, but anger blinded his better judgment. Gluttmore positioned himself accordingly, lowering his tusk, and when Gideon came, he raised his head, driving his tusk into Gideon’s side.
At that exact moment, Gabriel had returned from his stupor, and saw the blow that mortally wounded Gideon. The white hare landed a few feet from Gluttmore, who was inclined to trample the poor rabbit for spite. Gabriel cried out, which drove boar toward Gabriel.
“Take my sword,” said the voice of Glory to Gabriel, “and hold it as if it was an arrow.
Take hold of the air as if it was a bow, and let the sword fly.”
Gabriel did so. The sight of this sent Gluttmore into a hoarse laughter, but when the sword was released, there the laughter ceased and wart hog fell dead. This victory was not celebrated, and could not have been. The faint voice a Gideon called out to Gabriel, who hastily drew to the white hare to the other side of the basin.
“Come on, Gideon” Gabriel said crying, “stay with me!”
“Let me sleep,” he said cracking a smile, “I should have been more patient.”
With every second, Gideon became weaker.
“No, not now.” said Gabriel, “The sword—the sword will help, just like it did with the
Gabriel shook the sword, but nothing happened. Again Gabriel shook it in frustration, trying desperately to bring about some miracle. Gideon took hold of Gabriel arm, the touch seemed to appease whatever fears he had.
“Stop, you can’t make God do anything He doesn’t want to do. Here, take my crest.”
The young hare was reluctant; but after another command from Gideon, he took it.
Gideon lifted his trembling hand to Gabriel’s forehead.
“ Remember the God that worked on my heart to take you in; that put love in my heart to love you as my own son; the God who loved you before you cared about him, and the God who works before you now. Don’t be discourage because of me. Honor Him in all your ways, seek him without restraint.”
There was more that Gideon wanted to say, but the trauma of the wound abated Gideon’s strength. The hare laid quiet and still with Gabriel’s weeping face upon his teacher’s bosom. Among the mourning came a voice that was quiet as a whisper, but poignant in Gabriel’s soul.
“Why are you weeping?”
Gabriel raised his head slowly. Kneeling with him was Glory. His face although fixed upon Gabriel, shed a tear for the Gideon and Glory cried as well.
“Do you believe me? ” said Glory; for he knew Gabriel was beginning to doubt everything.
“Gideon dead.” the hare said tearing up, “Why didn’t you make the sword work?”
“Gabriel, I’ll take care of him. “Go on.”
“I CAN’T!” shouted Gabriel, “I’m afraid---I don’t understand everything---you made a mistake in choosing me.”
“ Will you allow this tragedy to separate you from Me? Do you believe that I can make good out of anything---even this?”
Gabriel was silent, but then he spoke.
“I---I believe,” he said faintly.
“Then go.”
The black hare glanced at the opening leading to the final encounter, he looked back and found that Gideon and Glory were gone. He stood in the water for a few moments took up the sword and marched toward the final battle.