Horatio was out in the courtyard over looking the beautiful white countryside. Winter was nearly over and the weather was beginning to show signs of spring. He was silent most of the time and in his silence God gave him an idea that brought a smile to the rooster's face. He went back inside the castle to find Reiach and Phigaro. Both were reading in the main hall.
“I have to go beyond the castle.” said Horatio addressing them.
Phigaro and Revel looked up from there books, curious about the rooster's proclamation. “Go beyond the castle, what do you mean?”
“I think God wants me to not just witness with the wolves here in the castle but the all around Gosha.
“We know that, he wants that from all three of us.”
“But He wants me to go now. I already talked to two from Durro's pack, Casen and Triton, and they want to go.”
“How do you know its God?” said Reiach.
“Who else can it be?” said Horatio pacing back and forth, “The only problem is that I don't know where any of the villages are.”
“Well where ever they are that's a lot of traveling,” said Reiach, “It would be good to get out from among these walls.”
Oblivious to the three was Durro, who was listening intently to the conversation.
“Then its settled we'll leave tomorrow morning” said Phigaro excitedly, “Bertha can tell us where and where not to go: I'll talk to her right now.”
“Leave my mother out of this,” came a gruff voice from behind.
Durro stepped around the corner; eyes set on the rooster and his friends.
“I had about enough of your little crusade,” replied the white wolf, “I've already lost ten wolves to your way of living---no more.”
“Durro we're did make them do anything they didn't want to do.” said Reiach, “If your mad about the raids….”
“Oh, please!” Durro said rolling his eyes, “I have bigger things to worry about than a lack of participation in my raids.”
“Then don't worry about what we are doing.” said Horatio directly. “You will stay within these walls,” Durro said grimacing.
“You don't own me, wolf.” said Horatio angrily.
“I'M THE LEADER OF THIS PACK!” shouted Durro with such intensity that the walls seemed to shake, “DON'T CROSS ME, ROOSTER!” Suddenly his voice subsided, “And if you want to live here, and I mean “live”, you will obey---all three of you will obey.”
Horatio was ready to have it out verbally with Durro, but Reiach stretched out his hand to stop the bird.
“Leave it alone, Horatio.”
“I like you Reiach,” said Durro with a grin, “You're smart, unlike your friend here. I hope I didn't startle you with my yelling and all; it only happens when some creature gets on my nerves. I going to have a talk with those two wolves, who are they Horatio?”
The rooster was silent. Durro started to move forward with his hands open to assail the bird.
“Casen and Triton.” Phigaro said stepping in between them.
Durro left and that was end of the conversation. However for Horatio it was the only beginning. That night when everyone was sleep, Horatio left his room. He decided not to wake Phigaro or Revel; for he wanted to leave quickly as possible without raising suspicion. The halls were clear and quite, even the main hall was empty. The door to the courtyard was in view. Cautiously, the rooster crept to the door, fearing that he may be hindered from his escape. For the first time in his life, Horatio wished he had hands, for opening a large door with a beak is nearly impossible. His next attempt was with his feet; and balancing on one leg, he tried to pull the door open with no avail. He went back to his beak and then to his feet again, repeating the process and looking quite silly as he did. Frustrated he gave up, assuming that he would have to attempt another escape at a later time. However a hand came from behind him taking hold of the door's ring. Horatio turned around fearfully thinking it was a sentry on duty, but he was surprised to see the two wolves he had talked to earlier about the mission.
“Trying to leave?” said the Triton, pulling open the door, “So are we.”
“I thought Durro talked to you: talking, as in, beating the stuffing out of you.” A snicker came from both wolves.
“Even if he did,” said Triton opening the door, “ it would not be enough to take out the joy that is in us. Other wolves need to know about salvation through God and in God, not just the ones in the castle.”
Horatio was elated to see that God was changing the hearts of the wolves more and more everyday.
“Both of you understand that if you leave with me you may never be able to come back to this pack or any other. You may ostracized, hated, beaten, attacked, homeless, and may other discomforts that are too great to mention.“
“We'll manage.” said Casen unconcerned about the future events.
“I'm ready go.”
“Then let's go,” said Horatio with a smile, “And let's never turn back.”
When morning broke, Horatio and the two wolves were well near the closet village to the castle. Triton and Casen did most of the talking; for the most wolves were weary to even listen to Horatio, but nevertheless, the truth of God and his only Son was heard and many, but not all believed. They continued this for weeks: teaching and showing wolves across the countryside that will take any wolf to heaven if they place their trust in his only son Kleos.
Back at the castle, the tension and uneasiness was so prevalent that Phigaro said that he could feel the disdain for what Horatio, Casen, and Triton did. Durro didn't naturally say anything, but only marched around the castle grunting. Even his mom couldn't break his angry mood, and certainly wouldn't have help to tell him that she was now a believer.
“Being angry about it, Durro, isn't going to change it.” said Bertha.
“I'll try it anyway,” said her son walking outside to meet his pack, “I don't want to talk about this anymore.”
“Durro.”
“Enough, mother, please!” he said waving her off.
Inside the castle, on the second floor, Phigaro and Reiach were trying to figure out the sudden circumstances.
“I wonder why he didn't wake us up?” said Phigaro, “We wanted to go.”
“I don't know,” said Reiach musing over the question, “God wanted Horatio to do this. Maybe we are to stay here until God wants us to move out. It's very easy to second guess things, but let us not linger with vain thoughts. If God wanted Horatio to wake us up, He would have told him so. Let us deal with the wolves here for now.”
“Dealing with them is an understatement,” said Phigaro, “Durro has lost all respect for us, the other wolves won't listen to you or I. And we haven't even heard from Horatio for weeks. We're useless here, Reiach.”
“That's not true.” said the otter trying to encourage his friend, “ Let us wait on the Lord---let us wait for His move!”
From out of that lattice window, Phigaro and Revel heard an uproar of cheering and laughter coming from outside. Phigaro opened the window to inspect and saw Durro and his pack breaking off into two groups a few yards away from the back of the castle. The land there was wet and muddy and most of the wolves looked eager to be there. Phigaro wasn't sure what was going on, but with Reiach they went down to see. The mud was thick and runny, but had no odd odor to it. Casey came running from behind them, nearly knocking them over as he did. He was carrying a ball made of woven patchwork of different colors. Casey tossed the ball into the mud, rolling it to make sure that every part was drenched in the wet dirt. One wolf gave a excited howl in anticipation of starting this eerie game.
“What is this?” said Phigaro.
“Mud-ball.” said Bertha coming up from behind them. “It Gosha's pastime. You make a muddy field, get a muddy ball, and run up and down the field to score. The object of the game to score the most points and to get as dirty as possible.”
“I need two more players to make it even,” said Casey pointed to the sidelines, “And you two are up.”
Phigaro and Reiach inched out into the field. Phigaro went to Durro's team and Rieach to Casey's. Bertha was the referee.
“Alright let's get started,” she said grabbing the ball. “You know the rules. I want a fair game. On the count of three: one…two…THREE!
The ball was tossed separately in the field.
All the wolves (Reiach and Phigaro too) dashed for the muddy ball. Durro's team had first possession as Casey's team chased him down. The ball came ajar suddenly as the wolf from Durro's team was tackled. The ball flew through the air like a bullet right into Phigaro, who along with the ball rolled ten more feet before coming to rest. The aye-aye came to his feet, and began to run with all of his might---he wasn't gaining any yards, but only futilely ran in place. Durro came up from behind him, pick him up by the tail, took the ball, and tossed Phigaro towards Casey who caught him safely.
“Thanks for the help, Phigaro.” said Durro running down the field.
Durro's run was masterful: he dodged, plowed, and maneuvered his way through the defenders until he came to goal, which was a pool of dirty water. With a splash he secured the point and coming from the pool he did a little gig just to show off.
“One to nothing,” said Durro as he tossed to ball to his mom. “A cheer for the valiant running of Phigaro.” said Bertha. “But I didn't go anywhere,” he said, “ I was stuck!”
“Yes,” said Bertha happily, “But your little legs entertained us nonetheless.” A grand laughter came from both teams.
Bertha drew the ball out into the open mud Casey was the first to retrieve the ball, and after a comic display of ducking and jumping from the opposing team, Durro himself tackled Casey to the ground. The ball traded places with each team frequently. Suddenly there are a cry pain.
“Sprained ankle on the field, “ said Casey.
Durro helped one of his teammates from the field who sprained his ankle in the game. He was taken to the side; and after making sure that he was well. Durro looked at his mom. “You want me to play don't you.” she said.
“Yes or I will have to forfeit to Casey: the greatest fear of my life.” Bertha marched out onto the field.
“Watch out now!” said Casey smacking his hands excitedly, “Big bad Bertha's going to run over some of you.”
“You'll be the first Casey,” she said, “You'll be the first.”
Bertha tossed the ball into an open spot in the field. A grand pile of wolves were pulling, pushing, and prodding to get the muddy bundle. Oblivious to them was the ball that had popped out and rolled graciously over to Reiach, who only starred in agitation at the messy sight.
“Look!” said one wolf, “Reiach has the ball.”
“No I don't!” cried the otter.
“Yes you do!” said Durro leading his team onward.
“Get him!”
Taking the sleeve of his cloak, the otter took hold of the ball and ran for his life. His little legs spun with great intensity as the wolves easily caught up to him, heckling him in jest before they tackled him. And what a tackle it was! Five wolves piled on Revel before leaving him flattened in the mud. Nevertheless the otter did cross the goal line. Phigaro came over to make sure he was fine.
“Are you alive?” said Casey.
Pulling his face out of the mud, Reiach had a look of intensity that Phigaro had never seen in his friend before.
“Ah,” said Durro coming over, “did we hurt the wee little otter? The otter shot Durro a sharp look.
“If your going to say something say it.” replied the white wolf.
Reiach stood to his feet picked up the ball and as he slammed it into the mud he said. “One to one!” Reiach said march back to Casey's side.
“Got some fire in you, eh” said Durro taking the ball in his hands, “Well see how long it last. This is the final game, winner takes all.”
“And which ever team wins,” Bertha said raising her hand, “will have my double chocolate crunch cake for dessert.”
The very words brought a new energy into the game. It was already dusk and dinner was on the next agenda. Durro was the first to retrieve it. One wolf from Casey's team went to the alpha wolf's legs and was able to bring him down as the ball flew over to Phigaro's direction. The aye-aye ran finding himself in the midst of two wolves.
Taking a loose end of the ball, Phigaro spun in a circle and released the muddy bundle into the air, evading the grasping hands of Durro's teammates, But Bertha caught the ball and ran in the opposite direction. No wolf dared to tackle her out of fear from her son, but one wolf was bold enough to snatch the ball from her hand, tossing it to Casey.
Over the course of five minutes the ball frequently traded sides in a comic display of sheer skill and acrobats.
Finally the ball came to Reiach once again. No one was close enough to catch him, except the alpha wolf himself. Durro ran with blazing speed from the opposite side of the field. Revel continued to run for the moat, watching Durro out of the side of his eye. With his prey in sight, Durro hurled himself towards Reiach. Now was the moment; and in a surprising move, Reiach jumped into Durro's face, planting the ball squarely on his jaw. Mud and water splatter across the wolf's face as both fell into the moat with a grand splash. Both teams ran to the edge of the goal: it was silent, neither Durro nor Reiach had emerge from the bottom.
“Come on, Rieach,” said Casey nervously, “I want that chocolate crunch cake tonight.” Suddenly, Durro appeared spitting the water from his mouth.
“Where's Reiach?” said Phigaro. “Coming.” said the alpha male wearily.
Jumping up out of the water, Reiach yelled as he shook the ball above his head. Casey team lifted the otter into the air and did victory dance. Although he did not like being upstaged by a otter, Durro cracked a smile, but made sure he was not noticed. After the game, every one cleaned up and had dinner.
Later on, Durro knocked on Reiach's room and came in to sit down.
“Good move out there with the ball,” he said rubbing his face. “I didn't see it coming.”
“Neither did I,” he said laughing as Durro joined him.
“I know you didn't come in here to congratulate me on beating you.” Durro stood from his chair.
“No I didn't. Tell me of this gospel again,” the white wolf said looking out the window, “Why do I need it?”
Reiach saw surprised. “Will you listen.”
“Until I hear something I don't like.” was the white wolf's reply. The otter hunched his shoulders and left the outcome to God.
“You need the One the gospel is about. God's only begotten Son to be exact. God was made flesh and tempted as we are, but he did not sin. We have sinned and anyone who says that they haven't is lying about it. That's why we need a savior: to remove the judgment the Holy One has against us.
“Oh, yeah,“ said Durro looking out the corner of his eye, “that Hell thing, eh?“
“Yes, but let me finish.“ said Reiach, “God' son gave his life for us so that we wouldn't have to go to Hell. Kleos has taken the wrath of God upon himself for you. He rose again from death, fulfilling everything! Now--today if any creature would believe by faith, not by works, but by faith in the name of Kleos they shall be saved.”
“Saved?” said Durro flummoxed.
“If you confess your sins, acknowledge your sinfulness, asked Kleos reign over you life, He will change you---that is being saved.”
“Interesting,” replied the wolf. “And, tell me, what is sin?”
“To ask is to know,” said Reiach sagely.
Durro started to laugh, but it slowly abated into a deep sigh.
“My mom is becoming different, I know one of you talked to her.”
“God was talking to her. We're just here to help where ever we can.”
“How pious of you,” said Durro leaving the window, “I appreciate you sharing your views with me, but God will not talk to me and I have nothing to say to Him.”
“Fine.” said Rieach humbly, “I won't push the issue.”
Durro left the room and Reaich prayed for the white wolf.