It was about two weeks before the news of Horatio, Triton, and Casen's death arrived at the castle. Nape prevented the recovery of the bodies and so Durro was forced to hold a vigil in memory of the fallen. Tears were prevalent throughout Durro's pack; for many by this time had come to God and knew the bravery it took to be a witness for Kleos. The vigil was held for that night outside of the castle. Bertha, Durro, and the rest of the pack howled in harmony. Phigaro was there in their midst and cried as his ears caught the sound of a magnificent choir of morning. ---it was the best thing Phigaro had ever heard. Reiach did not attend. The otter was having a hard time coping with the loss. It was so savage and so unexpected that Reiach was beginning to doubt his purpose in Gosha. “Why would God save them from being burned alive by Bertha, and then have one of them slain in broad daylight for preaching the gospel?” he asked himself.
The more Reiach focused on the question, the more be became angry even bitter against all wolves. (But be not quick to judge the otter; for we all have had those moments).
Nevertheless, he decided that he had no purpose in Gosha; that the wolves were to barbaric to listen to the truth; and that he would travel elsewhere to preach. He made a plan to leave that night once everyone was sleeping. He took a bed sheet, pack some belongings, and nervously walked to the main door. He was about to open it, when the voice of Phigaro came from behind him?”
“It's two in the morning, where are you going?”
“Why are you up?” said Reiach.
“A late night snack,” Phigaro said biting into an apple, “So where are you going?”
“I leaving this country and it would wise for you to pack now a leave.”
“You're joking, right?” Phigaro said, “If this has to do with Horatio---”
“These wolves don't care.” said Reiach scanning the castle, “We're wasting our time.”
“Was it a waste of time with Bertha?” said Phigaro talking sensibly, “Even Casey been listen more and more; even yesterday he wanted to know more about Kleos.”
“And then they kill you after they listen.” said Reiach. “That's not fair and you know it.”
“I LOVED HORATIO---I LOVED HIM AS IF HE WAS MY BROTHER!” shouted the otter.
“And they killed him for trying to love them.”
“That should remind you of someone.” said Phigaro. Rieach gave a half-hearted chuckle.
“Enough of this. If we leave now---”
“What is this we business?” said Phigaro, “I not going anywhere.”
“You're my friend, you always followed me completely.”
“In God I did, Reiach,” said the aye-aye, “But what you are doing is not godly.”
“Fine.” said Rieach, “Stay if you like and when there done abusing you, you'll see that I was right.”
“You're wrong, friend.” said Phigaro, “Dead wrong.”
Reiach brought the castle door open with some struggle, but then left the castle with the intent of never coming back.
He marched through the wooded road paying little attention to the danger therein. He finally came to the coast of Gosha an hour later. A small row boat was tied to a post. He was a little surprised to see the small boat; for it seemed to be made specifically for him. The paddles were a perfect suit for him, and he found rowing the boat easy. Revel had no idea of where he was going on when he would get there. He forgot about Phigaro, his conversation with Casey about Heaven, and he other numerous endeavors to bring the truth of God in the hearts of the wolves. After rowing until he arms were sore, he went to sleep. He wasn't sleep for long when the moonlight struck his face. It forced him to awaken. The moonlight acted as a spotlight over the lake and Reiach was aghast to see a figure standing on the water. Fear overcame the otter and hid himself, perceiving that it might be a ghost.
“You know better than that, Reiach,” said Kleos, “It is I your Lord.” Reiach brought his head just above the edge of the boat.
“If its you Lord tell me come out to you.”
“Come.” said Kleos.
Reiach stepped over the side to the boat onto the water. His footing was shaking, and when he attempted to walk, it was as if he was a baby taking their first steps. He finally made it over to Kleos, nearly tripping as he did. Kleos grabbed his just before he fell.
Holding him up, Kleos looked into the eyes of his servant, and Reiach dropped his face. “ So, where are you going?”
“You know, Lord.”
Reiach did not respond to this and was struggling to hold up his head. Kleos saw this and commanded him as thus.
“Lift up you eyes to me,” said Kleos, “Come on.”
The otter gradually brought his eyes up and they were filled with tears.
Reiach shot a glare at his Lord, who gave him a nod. “Me?” the otter said, “My Lord, of all the times to tell me!” Kleos gave him a cheesy grin and laughed.
The otter turned his head gradually to his Lord. “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
“Then show the wolves the way.” said Kleos. “Reiach, do you love me?” The otter, perplexed by the repeated question, answered in the affirmative. “Yes, Lord, I--I love you. You don't have to ask me again.”
“I will ask you again” replied Kleos, “Be honest with me, Reiach, do you love me?” The otter was grieved (and a little agitated) for it was the third time the question was asked. He did love Kleos; for He had totally changed his heart, and that is what God always does to those who are willing, but the otter also knew that he was wrong for leaving. He was struggling with what love was, and Kleos already knew it, but God wanted an honest answer.
“Not the way you want me to.” said the otter shaking, “I can't love you the way you want me to.”
It was an honest answer, and Reiach thought that he would be cast away, forgotten, and forsaken forever. Crying commenced, but Kleos did not leave him.
“Are you willing?” said Kleos.
Once Reiach got himself together, he said that he was.
Kleos walked Reiach over back to the boat.
The sunlight appeared across the sky and Kleos was gone. Rieach got back into the boat and returned to the castle. He apologized to Phigaro and to Durro for leaving unrepentantly. Over time he did many things to extend the gospel across the land: he wrote letters (send them by messengers) traveled across Durro's territory, and God was with him ever step of the way. Phigaro aided him, even Casey joined them once in awhile. Today they were headed into Drake's jurisdiction.
“It's good to have you along, Casey.” said Reiach. “Maybe today you will become a believer.”
“Fat chance.“ he said, “My main point in coming with you is to protect you, nothing more nothing less.”
“But Durro said you didn't have to come with us,“ said Phigaro investigating. “Well, Durro may be the alpha male, but his not my daddy, o.k. Now go and find someone to talk to---hurry up!“
Despite Casey's cynical attitude, inwardly the Spirit of God was destroying it. That day Drake was far from their location and Reiach was summoned to teach in a small farming village. The questions came quickly: some questions were easy; others were harder to deal with, but God gave the otter what he needed:
“If we're saved by God's mercy and that mercy is greater than sin,” said one wolf, “What's wrong with living the way you always have; God won't mind right?”
“Hold it, hold it, hold it,” said Reiach ready to settle the issue, “What did I tell all of you when I first came to you? Is there sin in God? Of course not! God has not change you hearts to return to sin and live in it. Since you've come to know Kleos, who is you savior, live like him.”
“How do we live like him?” came another voice.
“Do you remember the fruits that you will see when you walk with God?”
All the wolves in the crowd were looking at one another, which gave Reiach the indication that they had not.
“I want someone to write it down this time,” he said.
“O.k, here we go, first: love, joy, and then peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness which is being humble, self control, and ---oh yes, long suffering.”
Long suffering wasn't one of the favorite fruits that Reiach mention and the crowd gave him an alarming look when he made it apart of the list.
“Hey I don't call it I just preach it so write it down.” said the otter.
After the village Reiach along with Phigaro and Casey traveled to other villagers throughout the coming days, but most of the time the otter wrote letters to encourage, teach, and to direct the wolves in God. The letters had such an impact that they were copied and recopied so that all could read about this living God who loved creatures that cared nothing for Him, the Holy One sent his Son to die for their wickedness and was willing to except any who believed on his name. Drake got a copy of the letter; and after reading it, God by his Spirit was wooing the wolf, but Drake would only submit to his own will; to his own heart; to his own decision. In defiance, he crumbled the copy in his hand and for sought his brother Nape to see if they could do something to annihilate this gospel.