A tribunal

They never made it to the village. Instead Effie and Nathan were led to a small clearing just outside the village where large stone pillars were arranged in a circle around the clearing. Seven village elders including Effie's father awaited them there. The rangers that had accompanied them formed a perimeter around the clearing as the head ranger marched the duo and their cat to the elders. Effie bowed to the elders and Nathan followed suit. The elders proceeded to scold Effie for her actions including aiding an imperial and attacking a ranger. She argued that she only restrained the ranger and that Nathan was in fact not an imperial but one of the men who had fallen from the stars. The elders were not moved by her story and maintained that she had provided aid to an outsider and gone against her own people.

Effie and Nathan sat on an overturned pillar as the elders deliberated her punishment.

"I'm sorry that helping me has gotten you in such a tight spot." Nathan said.

Although she wasn't familiar with the expression she was able to understand the meaning in his voice. She shook her head and assured him she had no regrets. Finally the elders called for them again. The two stood tensely as Effie's father dictated their punishments.

"For you my daughter, you will not be permitted to leave the village for at least the next decade. Your brother will assume hunting duties and you will remain home, cook, clean and wash until told otherwise." Effie looked defeated and it made Nathan uneasy to know this girl was being punished for helping him. Laertes next turned to Nathan and said " You outsider, have been condemned to **** for the invasion of the sacred ground of our people." Rangers began to close in around him as Nathan's hand wrapped around the pistol he had hidden behind his back.