The next day, Gabriel got up eagerly, hoping to leave as soon as possible. Downstairs Ms.
Galestone awaited him. The rabbit showed himself cheerful, which caught the panda a little off guard.
“A change of heart, I see?” she said descrying the hare's smile.
“You have no idea. I’m ready. However, could I make a request?”
The panda allowed him to go on.
“I would like to go by myself," Gabriel said. " I can handle going to Mr. Wilford on my own. You can just give me the address.”
“No,” she said sternly, "Nice try, but your slyness won't work this time.”
“Wait a second," the hare said, " you told me its time to learn a trade; to be productive and all that stuff. If I can’t even be trusted to travel from here to the next block, then how can I truly be a decent citizen of the Crosslands?”
Ms. Galestone's will, although impossible to penetrate when fixed, was breached by the hare's argument.
“I have to admit you do have a way with words.” she said, musing over her decision. “
Fine, all you have to do is take that road and you’ll run into Mr. Wilford. Look at you- all dress up and ready to be productive. I’m so proud of you."
The panda proceeded to take one side of Gabriel's face and squeezed it.
“Ouch! So am I,” he said rubbing his face.
♦
After she had given Gabriel as few more words of wisdom, the hare walked out of sight from the orphanage to start his so-called adventure. Gabriel could see his former care-giver waving him on. He waited until she was out of sight to change his route and took the road to Giliga. Two months went by and Gabriel quickly learned how to survive on the streets. This was not his desire, but once he found out that the navy did not accept creatures of his age, he was forced to find other means of survival. He became what most
creatures in the Crosslands called a street-grub. Street-grubs were notorious for stealing, and some would even harm others to get what they wanted. It was here that Gabriel learned the crooked trade and it was in Giliga were the grubs did their most underhanded deeds. Most of the time Gabriel would resort to pick-pocketing any creature he thought had something of value, which he would sell later. However, on this day everything was going to change for him.
Recently at the port a ship had docked, which meant that there was always plenty of opportunity to grab a trinket of value from an unsuspecting visitor. Gabriel made his way closer to the ship, swiping an apple to appease his morning hunger.
He hid behind a large crate as he watched all the passengers get off. The first was a old mongoose who looked fairly wealthy, but Gabriel held his composure until he saw all the possibilities. Halfway through came a flamboyantly dress poodle. She was laced in the finest cloak and gems of all colors that garnished her from head to her foot. Gabriel thought he had found his victim; but once he saw that the poodle traveled with two bodyguards, he quickly relinquished the idea. Lastly came a white rabbit that traveled alone. He was wearing a black coat, carrying a regular bag of clothes, and over his shoulder was a hefty bag of money. From Gabriel’s perspective, this passenger the biggest sucker he had seen in his life; and when the hare left the boat with a whistle for his tune, Gabriel started to giggle: for it was time to work this creature over. Gabriel brushed the dirt from his coat to make himself look presentable and followed the rabbit from afar. Gabriel was sizing up the rabbit: he was about his height, middle aged, and looked to be wise in some aspects. The rabbit went over to a gift stand. Upon buying one of the products the rabbit place his bag of money on the ground, which one should never do. Gabriel couldn't believe his eyes.
“This one is too easy,” he said with glee.
Gabriel sashayed over to the money bag, but before he could lay claim on it, the white rabbit took up his bag just before Gabriel could get his hands on it.
“Maybe not so easy.” he said disappointed.
But this minor set back did not stop him. When the rabbit turned to leave, Gabriel tapped him on the shoulder and introduced himself.
“Good morning, dear hare, my name is Gabriel. Welcome to Giliga, may I be the first to offer any hospitality I can. What is your name so I might not be rude?”
“My name is Gideon. I'm a Shavronite. Thank you for the warm welcome I-”
“Wait,” Gabriel said interrupting, “ You’re the one who slewed a thousand leopards! I heard many stories about you.”
“Seems my reputation proceeds me,” Gideon said bobbing his head with a big smile.
“But it was the Holy One that—“
Gabriel took a bow. Gideon was mortified by the act and told the hare to stand up.
“Look, I want to take you up on some of that hospitality. I need a guide to take me to a small village here in the Crosslands.”
Gabriel stood straight as a rod, gave Gideon a salute, and offered his services.
“You look too young to be a guide.”
“I will have you to know that I’m old enough to make a living and secondly-”
“All right," Gideon replied, " I didn’t mean to offend. Do you know how to get to
“I sure do.”
“Then lead on.”
The two rabbits went through the streets until they turned onto an old beaten path, which proceeded into a wood. The trees were dense and hardly any sunlight was able to penetrate through the canopy. Gabriel lead most of the way, until he pretended to drop something in order to position himself behind Gideon.
“ Now make a left around that tree and the road to Holfstead will be there.”
Gideon did exactly as he was told, but instead of a path, he was facing a boulder covered with vines.
“This is a dead end. You’ve made a mistake.”
“ Its no mistake,” Gabriel said pulling a dagger. “Now be ever so kind and throw your bags, especially the money, over here so I take a gander at them.”
Gideon yelled for help. Gabriel waited until he was done.
“Are you finished? Now throw the bags over or I’ll kill you where you stand.”
Gideon complied. Gabriel went through the garment bag, keeping his eyes on Gideon as he did so. The bag had a few jackets, and when Gabriel saw a new white jacket, he immediately took favor over it. He took off his old jacket, revealing a dingy shirt underneath, and modeled his new coat.
“This is nice- real nice,” Gabriel said looking himself over. “I'll keep it. You can have the medallion you brought. Oh, there something else I’ve been looking at. That crest around your neck, give it here!”
“You have enough. Now leave me alone!” shouted Gideon.
Gabriel rushed over and pressed the dagger to his throat.
“I said give me that-”
Before he could finish Gideon pushed Gabriel to the ground. The dagger fell away, however, the black hare's attempt to retrieve it was cut short when Gideon kicked it out of reach. Punches were thrown and Gideon's skill as a fighter proved to be the deciding factor, but Gideon was an honorable warrior. His pity for the black hare, although a worthy gesture, was not the wisest thing to do. Gabriel started to cry.
“It just a lesson that you have to learn. Unfortunately, I’ll have to turn you into the authorities.”
Gideon came over to grab Gabriel. While he was down he took a handful of dirt, tossed it into Gideon’s eyes, and with two punches the white rabbit went down.
“When I want something,” he said cutting the crest from Gideon neck, “ I take it.”
Gideon quickly came out of his stupor. His vision was blurry, but he could see that the black rabbit stood above him. With a sinister smile, Gabriel kicked Gideon in the face and left him there alone in the wood.