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Incidents during the public part of a punishment weren't completely unheard of. Two sturdy Watchers were moments away from trying to intercept Fi, but a command from the Lawspeaker stopped them before they could take off.

"Not unless there's fighting," he said quietly and turned away to consult the Watchers and Seekers present about this new turn of events, leaving the two Watchers behind to make sure this new Mist didn't try anything. Judging by the whispering and shuffling there was a debate about the correct cause of action for the current circumstances. A conclusion seemed to be made and the Lawspeaker faced the audience again.

"Our laws state that only the guilty will perch in the Tree of Shame," Rosso started, and paused to let this fact sink in, "Since Basil's new female have chosen to sit beside him and share his shame she will also get to share his punishment."

He paused again to allow the noise to die down before continuing.

"This is an unfortunate turn of events," he said, looking slightly apologetic, but still facing the crowd and not Fi, "And I will try to be as kind as I can." Rosso swivelled his head around to talk directly to the Trapper, "As long as you are mated to this criminal, you too will help the Minder enclave until his sentence ends. But unlike him you are free to leave whenever you wish."

Rosso nodded again, to show that he was done with his speech.

"The criminals will remain in the Tree of Shame the rest of this night," the loud voiced Watcher announced, "Remember their faces and their crimes! Remember the Laws of the Forest!"

"Obey the Brigadier!" a Deep Woods female in the audience hooted, citing the first law. "The clan is your lifeblood, you must honour and support it!" one of the Seekers in the front added, ear tufts rising in excitement. "A Sentinel does not kill another Sentinel," Rosso boomed, and many voices mingled with his.

"Freedom is a right that all Sentinels must be permitted," was hooted by so many Sentinels that it was difficult to hear individual voices. "A Sentinel does not stoop to thievery!"

The Lawspeaker, the Seekers and most other important individuals started to leave soon after the last law had been hooted in chorus. This was an important part of the display of shame since it made sure that everyone heard the laws and knew them by heart. It was easier to remember the laws as hooted from countless beaks than as the dreary list of commands recited by a Teacher or Minder.

Soon only a team of Watchers and other combatants remained to guard the unfortunate individuals in the Tree of Shame. Were they there to prevent them from flying away, or to prevent them from being attacked? It was just a matter of perspective.

(OOC notes: The plot There's Something Rotten has now officially come to its end. The Herald will not post more here, but you are free to continue roleplaying in the thread as long as you want to. The criminals will be on display all night and while the most exciting part is over it's not unheard of for Sentinels to hang around and gawk.

Anyone trying to fly too close to the Tree of Shame will be chased away with as much force as necessary. Trying to escape or trying to attack the criminals will result in injuries.)