It came to pass over a period of two months that God had given Horatio, Phigaro, and Reiach time share the story of Kleos with all the wolves in Durro's pack (even Durro himself)Bertha showed no signs of interest, but Phigaro prayed for her. Upon finding out Bertha was even more aloof in hearing anything about God, Phigaro never ceased from praying for her.
Now remember, it was a period of two months--not two seconds, two minutes, two hours, two days, nor two weeks that God gave the trio opportunities to speak about Kleos. The three found sharing salvation with the wolves easy when they worked with the wolves: maintaining the castle, working in the fields, on guard against rival gangs, even cooking the meals: a skilled they has nearly perfected under the hand of Bertha. This was usually the best way to deal with the wolves about God instead of a bashing them with truth or making them listen, but of course both techniques have their place and time. Horatio taught one wolf about God's grace, which was simply being forgiven of everything you have done wrong without even deserving it. God lead Phigaro to tell seven wolves of Kleos as he was out with them scouting the area for any of Drake' or Nape's pack; it was one of the harder aspects of being a believer: that no creature goes to heaven except by Kleos. Even when Phigaro was challenged, he stood firm on the truth. Finally, Reiach told three wolves about the love of God through his Son Kleos when he was helping to make dinner for the gang. By the end of two months ten out of the thirty wolves in Durro pack gave they lives to God, and God dwelt in them from that day forward.
Now granted Durro had nothing against hearing about the love of God, but he was not inclined to get “holy” anytime soon. He listened quietly when the otter had late night talks about how to live for God, the things that would happen, and even some of the trails that life would assuredly bring to a believer. However what he did not like was the fact that it seemed that his pack was listening to the otter rather than him, but he kept this to himself.
There came a time where Casey was sitting at a table playing a game of “Lonesome” or as we understand it a game of “Solitaire”. Of all the wolves in Durro's pack, he was the most cynical. He always doubted that he need to trust in a savior for his sins; for he always believed that he was cool enough, smooth enough, and smart enough to enter into the gates of heaven. Casey didn't want anything to cramp his debonair appearance, even if it was sloppy. Reiach came up to the table.
“Any room for another player?” said Reiach.
“As a believer I thought you were too holy to even gaze upon the sin of the card game.” said Casey smacking a card down on the table.
“I'm only asking because I want teach you something.”
“I stopped learning years ago.” said Casey reclining in his chair. “Well, you need to learn to learn.”
Casey gave the otter a whimsical smile, pushing out a chair for the otter to join him. “What's the game?” said Casey.
“Presto.” said the otter, “Do you know how to play it?”
“Of course--it's a child's game.” said Casey.
“Can you explain the rules--only for instructional purposes mind you.”
Casey reluctantly expounded that the rules of the game centered around each player having a full deck of cards. It was the object of each player to deal four cards face down. Each player would flip their first card, whoever had the better card (or greater in value) would win the first bout. This would repeat for the other three cards, the one who had won the most turns would win at the game.
Reiach place a full deck of cards on the table.
“Now,” said Reiach, “If I am correct you don't believe that you need Kleos to go to heaven, right?”
“If you mean that I find it very stuffy to believe in one savior then yes you are correct.”
“Great!” said Reiach happily, “Oh, by the way have you ever done any thing sinful?”
“Have you?” replied Casey with a discontent look.
“Yes.” Reiach said placing his hands behind him.
“And you?”
“Probably.” Casey said doubtfully.
“Probably means yes.” said Reiach clapping his hands. “Now let's make a wager. If you can beat me at one game of Presto, I'll submit that you can go to Heaven without ever trusting God and I'll make sure that I nor my friends will never talk to you about God again?”
“Oh, we have a deal.” said Casey smiling. “That a wager I willing to take.”
Reiach shuffled his cards dealing five for himself and Casey did the same with his deck. Both flipped their first cards: an ace of diamonds for Reiach, and a jack of spade for Casey. The second card was flipped: an ace of clubs for the otter and a three of diamond for Casey. The third card: an ace of spade for Reiach and a King of diamond for Casey. The last card: a ace of heart for Reiach and a ten of clubs for Casey.
“PRESTO, I WIN!” shouted otter raising his hands into the air.
“Lucky hand,” said Casey. “Let's go again.”
The turn took place with nearly the same result: Reiach manage to deal all aces and Casey despite have one ace to his credit, still lost the game.
“PRESTO, I WIN!” said Revel raising his arms in glee again.
The next two games revealed the same outcome and Casey was beginning to be unnerved by Reiach's winning streak. The last game was ready to begin, but Casey decided to give himself a slight advantage. If he couldn't win honestly, he would cheat. While dealing himself a hand he flicked one card over the table making it as if it was an accident.
“Me and my butterfingers,“ said Casey. “Can you get that for me?”
“Sure, pal.” said the otter giving the wolf a thumbs and a cheesy grin.
Took his deck and went to retrieve the card. Casey with great fervor and speed went through his deck picking out three aces before the otter returned to the table.
“Three aces cannot be beat.” he thought to himself, “I can at least win one game at Presto.”
Reiach shuffled his cards and dealt four.
“Ready, last game?” he said giving Casey another thumbs up.
“I'm ready, pal” said Casey giving a thumbs up to Reiach.
The first card: Ace of diamond for Reiach; Ace of Spade for Casey.
“Tied on the first draw.” said Reiach surprised.
“Yup.” replied Casey. “Its looking good.”
The second card: Ace of hearts for Reiach; Ace of heart for Casey. “Tied again.” said the otter.
“Oh, yes!”
The third card: ace of club for Reiach; Ace of diamond for Casey.
“Wow, you might actually win this one.” replied Reiach gritting his teeth. “Will I have to admit that there's another way to heaven?”
“Yup!” said Casey bobbing his joyfully, “No more preaching for you.”
One the last card, Casey slightly rose it from the table just to see the suit---it was an King of hearts!
“Of all the luck,” said Casey to himself. “There's no possible way to lose. I'll be able to rub this in that otter's face forever. Him and his wager--hah!--he caught himself in his own trap.”
Casey rose the magnificent card high in the air and brought it down with a triumphant smack.
“KING OF HEARTS!”
But just as his voice peaked in victory, Reiach slapped his card on top of his. “Ace of Spade! PRESTO I WIN!” he shouted, raising his arms
Suddenly, Casey lunged his muzzle near Reiach's face, slamming his hands on the table as he did so. The otter's arms quickly resumed their stationary position. Taking his clawed hand, Casey look as if he was going to choke the otter to death (Reiach thought the same), but he instead took hold of Reiach's deck, flipping through them madly Every card in the deck was an ace. Granted Reiach had set up the deck that way, but only for instructional purposes. Casey slammed the deck on the table, sending cards in every direction.
“YOU CHEAT! THE WHOLE GAME WAS RIGGED!”
“Remember, this was for instructional purposes only.” said Reiach smirking. “So what was the lesson?” Casey said bearing his teeth.
“God has a perfect hand, so to speak,” said Reiach. “It doesn't matter how cool you are, or how smooth you think you are, Casey, you don't have what it takes in yourself to get to heaven. I've known you for two months now and I enjoy your company,” said Reiach gathering the cards from the table, “But as a friend---”
“Who said you we're my friend?” replied Casey sitting back in his chair.
“Fine then,” said Reiach, “As a member of this gang I've sworn to watch your back, and I am when I tell you about what will happen to you if you don't trust God.”
“Sometimes I wish, Durro had never made you apart of us.” said Casey crossing his arms. “And I wish that you will one day let God change you and to show you his love as I have known it.”
Casey sprung from his chair, kicking it backwards. He stood stiffly and was breathing heavily with his fists clinched. Reiach wanted to run, really he did, but he waited for the wolf's move.
“What's the other option then?” replied the wolf. “If I refuse to change---if I refuse to trust this Savior--- what's the other option?”
The otter calmly looked into the disgruntled face of Casey: “Hell.”
Casey began to storm from the room, however, he stopped short before turning the corner and said:
“You're a cruel teacher, Reiach--- but an honest one.” The wolf then left the room.
“I'm glad to be still a living teacher,” the otter said breathing a sigh of relief.