Chapter 3:

-The Trial-

In behalf of the rest of the way, they didn't speak any more single words. The sun began to set in the west behind the mountains and pines. First a beautiful orange, then, as she touched the tips the red light spread like a fire or... like blood. As promised they reached the village at sunset. Ivanhoe climbed from the horse and supplied it to the stole beside the sheriff building, where also the other horse had their bursts. After unsaddled his horse and fed it with fresh hay and water, he went back to Michael. He asked for him to go into the building with him. Michael followed him. The deputy knocked at the door and entered. A somewhat older man sat at the office table and did exactly a telephone, but he was finished as he saw the two entering. He hung up and got up. He had already grey hair but like Ivanhoe, he carried it in a braid. Some wrinkle drew itself on his face and he had also maroon eyes. He was somewhat smaller than Ivanhoe, but he also had a strong figure. He stuffed his pipe, ignited it and took a pull, then, he looked at the stranger.

"What crime did he commit, son?" he took another pull once at his pipe and blew the smoke again slowly out.

"I found him in a cave, ten miles from here. He made a fire and camp without authority. the cave was occupied by a bear and he scared him away."

"Scared away? A bear is not afraid so easily of a human being not if he is armed and this man seems not to carry any weapons on him. What is his name?"

"His name is Michael Corvin and he comes from Detroit. I don't know more but he had disowned against the laws."

"Yes, this he did."

"What punishment do you suggest? "

"Hmmm..." he took a pull twice at his pipe and left the smoke in a cloud out. "He will spend the night here in the cell anyway, according what will happen, we will discuss it tomorrow."

„Then I will go home. I wish you a nice evening." Ivanhoe left the house and went home, some houses off, where he lived together with his wife Shila and his daughter Henna. Definitely, they waited already longingly for him.

Meanwhile, the Native American sheriff took the backpack of Michael at itself and locked Michael into a cell. He mounted back in his office chair and smoked his pipe, during he looked up what the stranger carried with him. Michael didn't refused and maybe it was not a bad idea at all to be sat behind fences, at least something resisted, if he tried to break out, but this would not detain him. A full moon was imminent, this let his genes plays madly and he could promise nothing. The Native American found this book and paged in it. He grinned.

"Is this all? A story book about vampires and werewolves?" he closed it and put it on his table, then, he went to Michael, who sat on the bed, and now he asked him some questions. Well yes, the first was a general question and didn't count.

"Do you want anything to eat and to drink? You must be exhausted after the long march."

"Thanks, but no, I need nothing."

Even if Michael wanted nothing, the sheriff brought him a glass of water and some bread. Michael assumed it and put it on the small table beside the bed.

"A long way from Detroit. What do you do in a landscape like this?"

"Nothing exceptional. Travelling."

"Ah…The first time in Canada, aren't you?"

"No…not really. I've been often on vacation in Quebec and Ontario in my childhood but its long ago. To be honest, it is the first time that I meet Native Americans."

"Native American is a harsh word, but I take it as a compliment. My name is Grey Wolf, it is better if you name me so and not Native American. So, are you probably not been initiated into the law of our country, then?

"No, I'm sorry."

"Fine, I admittedly said we will discuss it tomorrow, however, you seem to be honest. You will spend the night here and tomorrow I will let you out of here. The punishment will turn out mildly. You will have to execute field works and fell wood in the forests and that for one week, agreed"?

"No problem. Just one thing, don't leave me close of animals."

"Quite afraid of cows and horses?"

"I have a bad relationship."

"Could you be so friendly and withdraw the sunglasses if I talk to you? It becomes dark soon and there you will see nothing more with these things anyway."

"No, I can't. "

"Why? Are you approximately blind?"

"I'm not, I've other eye problems, does this suffice?"

"If you say this...Why do you carry this old book with you?"

"I like to read...'

"... vampire and werewolf stories, interesting however only fairy-tales." he fell for him into the word. "Tell me, did you have stolen that book, probleby? How I can judge, it looks rather old."

"No, I am no thief, if you want to hear this. It belongs to my family." Michael sounded somewhat irritated, he hated all these stupidly questions. "If you are so nice, please would you stop with these questions, I am not in the mood and furthermore I am exhausted. I would lie down gladly if you don't mind."

"No reason, to be immediately so unkind, it is only my job. I will now leave you alone if you need something... I am in the room next. I live so called here. Good night."

Grey Wolf turned around, took a few files from the office table, closed the main door and immediately went into the room opposite. The light was turned off and Michael sat back on the bed. He took off his jacket and withdrew the glasses. He stretched and stared out of the window. The moon rose and illuminated the room. He couldn't leave the prison without to demolish something. The glass of water and the piece of bread were still beside him on the table. He wished that the water was blood and the bread was one piece raw meat, but he could only imagine this for this night and could dream of it. He tried to close the eyes and to relax. Outdoors, he could hear the howl of the wolves. His stomach began to growl and hurt and as it became unbearable, he called after Grey Wolf, he immediately came. Michael put on his glasses again.

"What's wrong, Michael?"

"I'm sorry, if I awakened you, but I feel sick and dizzy. Could I go at the fresh air and go for a walk? Not long, only one hour, I promise to come back."

"You can but I will accompany you."

"No, please I want to be alone."

"Don't get stupid ideas and be careful." he opened the cell and let Michael out of the house. "Don't you want your jacket? It is a cold night."

"No, I'm fine."

Grey Wolf saw after him until he vanished in the forest. This Michael Corvin was already a funny codger. Something was fishy about him, he could feel this, but he didn't know what it was and as long as he couldn't prove it, he couldn't hold on to him. Grey Wolf closed the door and went back into his room.