Markus follows Eclair closely as she leads him deeper into Little Creek. The pair have been traveling for a few minutes, with fairies watching above as the two make their way underneath the town. They soon reach an area of Little Creek that contains a wooden platform connected between several large trees.

As they near the wooden platform, Markus can see it's designed like a plaza. It sits eye level to him, with a very obvious spectacle taking place. Numerous fairies are lined outside the edges of the plaza and the murmur of the crowd grows louder. Many more fairies can be seen above watching from bridges and buildings.

When Markus and Eclair reach a few yards away from the commotion, several heavily armed guards quickly intercept their path. Eclair rushes between them and Markus, but before she can explain the situation a voice yells from behind the guards.

“Stop! Let them through!” The voice had come from Jonathan. Behind the guards, he stands at the very edge of the plaza facing the pair. When they see Jonathan, the guards move back to their original positions around the plaza.

With the situation handled, Markus starts moving forward to where Jonathan stands. The two meet face to face, with Eclair watching nervously from behind Markus.

“Hello Mr. Winters. Can I ask what you are doing here?” Jonathan asks calmly.

“Well... a little birdie told me about the trial going on. I think it's for Aurora, right? I'm curious as to why you folks are putting her on trial when she is the only reason I was able to find and kill the beast last night.” Markus speaks to Jonathan with genuine concern in his voice.

Jonathan's eyes lock onto Eclair as she flutters behind Markus. It was clear to him who let information out on the trial. He visibly sighs, then uses an arm to shoo Eclair away as he says “Leave us. I want to speak in private.”

“Okay. Sorry.” Eclair responds with a weak voice before flying away.

“Alright. Keep your voice down, and let's have a serious discussion.” Jonathan starts speaking softly as he continues. “For starters, the trial is already over. What we're deciding now is a punishment. Aurora has already admitted her failure for keeping watch last night and putting others at risk.”

Markus quietly listens, before asking Jonathan. “I see... but me and her worked together. She really did help, and as far as I'm aware everybody is okay. Doesn't that matter?”

“It does, and I'm trying to help her. But... the situation is more complicated. Aurora is a skilled former scout, but she's been in trouble recently for other offenses, and the incident last night was very serious. Many town members want to make an example of her.” Jonathan then pauses as he carefully plans what he says next. “There is also a growing movement calling for her execution.”

“What!? Why?” Markus almost yells his responses before controlling his voice.

“The entire town knows about what you did last night, and your intervention absolutely saved the life of one of our own. Maybe even more. However... many agree that you showing up was nothing short of a miracle. If the incident had taken place at any other time, Aurora would certainly be responsible for deaths.” Another sigh escapes from Jonathan. “There's a lot against her.”

A heavy silence forms after Jonathan finishes speaking. Markus is deep in thought as he tries to review the situation unfolding. He doesn't know the laws of this town, but perhaps something can be done to help.

“Isn't there anything I can do? I would think my opinion matters.” Markus asks softly as a group of fairies pass by. He hopes things can be changed for the better with his input.

“I did think about bringing you here earlier.” Jonathan replies. “But Aurora admitted to the charges immediately. A few council members and myself have been busy arguing against the most severe punishments since then.” He then moves a hand up to his long, white beard to start scratching it. An idea starts forming inside Jonathan's head. “However, I was thinking about a more... drastic way to resolve the trial.”

Markus's curiosity piques at Jonathan's words. “It's better than nothing, what is it?”

Jonathan takes a deep breath to explain his thoughts. “It's not perfect. I would say it's more of a last resort. I know you want to return home, and we were planning to guide you to a nearby human town. One or two townsfolk would have shown you the way. Now I'm thinking we could have Aurora do it. She's a skilled scout, and knows the way.”

“Great. That doesn't sound so bad.” Markus' voice perks up once he hears the idea.

However, Jonathan immediately dashes Markus' hopes. “That's not all. Her guiding you wouldn't suffice as punishment. Realistically, she's going to have to be exiled from our town.”

A groan escapes from Markus. Jonathan's idea has quickly become difficult to accept. He runs his left hand over his hair in frustration because he can't think of a better plan. There's silence as Markus heavily weighs the decision.

“Are you absolutely sure about this?” Markus asks with an intense stare at Jonathan.

“Mr. Winters, believe me when I say you will be saving her. She faces death, or a lifetime of servitude. Momentum for punishment is growing, and I no longer think I can stop it alone. With the plan, you can benefit from each other. You will get a guide, and she can start a new life.” Jonathan's eyes are piercing with conviction. Markus can tell he meant everything that was said.

Markus breathes in deeply, and looks behind Jonathan at the restless crowd at the plaza. A few moments pass, and then a nod is given to Jonathan. “Alright. Let's do it.”

“Good. Just stand here and wait. I'll do all the talking.” Jonathan says to Markus before heading back towards the plaza.

Markus stands around as instructed. However, he soon realizes only the upper half his head can be seen from the platform. Some of the nearest fairies are quick to notice the strange sight. In short order, many fairies start turning themselves around to view Markus rather then the trial.

“Excuse me, can I look at what's going on?” Markus asks politely towards all the fairies in front of him. His vision towards the center of the plaza is blocked by bodies and wings, but several fairies start parting themselves to give him enough of an opening to see.

From his view, Markus can see the back of the fairy named Aurora as she stands in the middle of the plaza. He recognizes her short brown hair and solid black bodysuit, although it's now stripped of armor. Flanked on both sides are armored guards, and they're all looking up to an elevated platform directly ahead.

Markus can see all the town council members from earlier on it. They're huddled together in deep discussions, with Jonathan already working his idea to the others. The group then disappears through a doorway connecting the platform and the large tree it's attached on.

The wait is agonizingly slow for Markus. Standing in one spot was also numbing his feet slightly, and the weight of the gear was starting to build. Occasional waves and smiles from some fairies were the only thing that broke the growing discomfort. A mix of various conversations start breaking out among the crowd as they wait. About thirty minutes would pass before any activity comes from the platform.

A loud bell all of a sudden rings out across the area. Markus had been distracted by some fairy children waving, and is caught off guard by the sound. His head bolts back to the plaza as he tries to see what's going on. Several feet above the platform, Markus notices a bronze bell swinging back and forth. The bell is attached to the same tree trunk the platform is located, and after a few more strikes, ceases to move.

The council members soon begin funneling out of the doorway and onto the platform. Markus' eyes are fixated at the scene of Aurora the fairy, flanked by guards, staring up to the council members about to hand her punishment. When the group finishes lining up across the platform, the second elderly male of the council walks up to the center of the rail. He waves his hands to quiet the crowd, then starts unfolding papers into his hands. Silence spreads across the crowd and all eyes begin to focus toward the platform.

Markus becomes nervous as he sees the old fairy prepare his speech. He was assuming Jonathan would talk. The elderly man looked taller and thinner than Jonathan, but Markus knew nothing else of the fairy.

“Thank you all for your patience.” Announces the old fairy. There is a pause as he waits for attention to focus on him. “The council of Little Creek has completed deliberations for the trial of Aurora Blackwood. The defendant has already admitted to her failure of safeguarding our town, and allowing a beast to slip through her assigned perimeter last night. That same beast would go on to attack town citizens.”

An extended arm from the old fairy suddenly points directly at Markus. The old fairy then says “Thankfully, due to the intervention of the traveler, lives were saved from certain death.” Cheers and clapping spontaneously breakout across the plaza. Many nearby fairies are looking at Markus, which makes him slightly embarrassed to stick out more than he already does.

“Quiet please!” The old fairy yells over the crowd. When focus is back on him, he continues the speech. “After careful consideration, taking into account Aurora's confession and information provided by the traveler, the town council is ready to pass judgment.”

There's a heavy atmosphere around the plaza now. The old fairy pauses his speech again, as if to raise the tension in the air. After a few moments, the old fairy continues by saying “Aurora Blackwood, by the power of the town council, and I, Julius the Elder, presiding judge, you are hereby banished from the town of Little Creek.”

Conversations start breaking out across the crowd, but Julius continues. “As an exile, all held titles and ranks are now stripped. Any property owned is now turned over to relatives, or the town if none exist. You will be allowed to take as much personal possessions as you can carry, and nothing else. You will also be responsible for guiding the traveler to the town of Montillo. A guard will be assigned to make sure the mission is complete. That concludes the proceedings!”

Markus sees the head of Aurora drop down. The crowd around him is now talking wildly about what just happened. Fairies begin moving all about the plaza, obscuring the image of Aurora. His heart sinks at the sight of someone he couldn't help more.