They hadn't done anything wrong by anyone so why the hostility? They'd done the town a favor by getting the boat back, no questions asked, and it was hardly like they were going to steal the cargo. Given their small group size, and the small size of some of their friends, how were they meant to haul off crates and crates of goods? That was the only reason Ethan could come up with their being aggressive at first, though the guards revealed it was over their supposedly being Magi, or however their mayor had been put to sleep. This was the first he was hearing of such a thing and it confused him greatly, furrowing his brow as the accusations were laid out. Then when Zander stepped forward to try and take the blame the guards seemed skeptical, as if he couldn't have done it. Though he managed a smile the corner of Ethan's mouth twitched, even he wasn't naive enough to expect Zander's claims to absolve them of these accusations.

"We're taking you all back to town before we decide anything, and you'll be punished accordingly for it," the lead-guard answered, looking to no one in particular as he spoke, "We'll figure out who exactly did it when we get there, until then you're all to come with us and be silent on the matter." There was a small issue as well of potentially having Magi in the mix, so to be safe they had to not aggravate any of them. Fear couldn't prevent them from upholding the law though, they had technically attacked the mayor and had to answer for that crime. "Punishment will be weighed based on what you did here today as well, you'll likely get off with little more than a small fine," the guard added, looking to Amuné mainly this time. He didn't know how a small child became mixed up in all of this, but it wasn't right to put this on her. Even if the little girl might be a Magi he sincerely doubted she'd any part in the massacre aboard the ship, she should be free from these charges.

What a complete and utter mess this had turned into. Doing this favor was meant to be a guarantee for getting what she wanted: favor with the local officials and perhaps good word for other towns. Instead Nymira found herself possibly being charged with a crime and treated like some criminal, as if she'd done anything wrong. "I did not realize putting a man into a slumber was such a heinous crime," the Dimuran remarked angrily, holding Amuné against her shoulder as she addressed the lead guard. The man admonished her with a disapproving look but she continued in spite of that. "We risked our lives to return this ship to Lazlo, and we've potentially stopped future robberies in the process. Surely everything we've done overrides such a petty crime, yes? If you insist on being so difficult I'll not be pleased with your town, we'll be sure to avoid it when my clan begins trade."

"W-What she means to say is we should get off a little light, even if we did put someone to sleep," Ethan interjected with a nervous laugh, "Besides, it's not as if the mayor was hurt, right? I mean yeah maybe putting him to sleep was a little... Unnecessary, but it didn't hurt him. I'd hardly call that assault." To him it kind of seemed the guards were stretching it, their definition of assault that was. Shame he hadn't a single idea how it had even happened or he might be better able to explain it to them. Why were they making such a big fuss over a man being placed in a nap?

Absurdity of the charges notwithstanding they were going back to town, their fates to be determined once at the mayor's home. The walk back to Orosi was largely silent save for Amuné's occasional whimpers and Bernadette's trying to convince the guards to let them off. The whole situation was stressful and made very little sense with even a few of the guards appearing to question their actions; no one knew for certain what was going on, and they likely wouldn't until they returned. More guards and some dock workers would be by later to retrieve the cargo and ship as it turned out, meaning their participation in the job was officially over. An impending sense of nervousness washed over Ethan as they caught sight of the manor, though he brushed it aside and tried to smile in spite of himself. They had been through some nasty business but they'd made it through, the worst was behind them and they could be done with this. Yes they were being charged, with what he didn't know, but it wouldn't be too bad.

"I just want to make this clear before we speak with the mayor. Only the one responsible for putting him to sleep is being charged here, and it'll likely end up as little more than a misdemeanor, disorderly conduct or something similar. You kids should be awarded for what you did here today as well, even if the way you did it was... Unexpected." All of those dead men aboard the ship, not quite what was expected out of a group of youths. Again the notion of Magi plagued the lead guard's mind but he tried to ignore it, still having no concrete evidence the claims were even true. They had to be certain before passing judgment, otherwise it would turn into a witch hunt; neighbors would accuse one another of being Magi and be whisked away without question, that was a kind of chaos that could not be permitted.

Passing through the courtyards leading up to the manor the guards led the group, brushing aside any Machina that tried to approach to offer assistance or greet them, as per their programming. It was well known that the Machina here were frequently approaching guards, having been taught to address them and assist them however possible. Thoughtful but terribly bothersome when they did it every single time whether one was coming or going, it became a hassle quite quickly. Thankfully the servant model was never quite as bothersome as the others, greeting them as was expected and agreeing to see them to the mayor's office. Approaching the office some of the guards seemed to be distracted by something, as was Bernadette after a moment. First thing that was unusual was her desk, which while manned by a Machina servant in her absence was unusually clear of papers, ones which she'd instructed to be left out for when she got back. Next was the mayor's door which was slightly open, odd considering the man almost always kept it closed.

"Sir, we've brought the children back to see you as you've requested," the guard declared, stopping short of the door and standing at attention. Awaiting a response there was nothing but silence for several moments, and after clearing his throat the guard repeated himself. "Mister mayor, the children are here, we'd like to show them in if it's alright." Again no response. Frowning the lead guard exchanged a look with Bernadette before placing a hand on the hilt of his sword reaching out and slowly pushing the door open as he entered the room. Nothing seemed out of place though the mayor's back was turned to them, the rear of his chair facing the door. Letting out a sigh the guard approached, reaching out to touch the seat. "Sir... Please wake up, we've brought the children."

When the chair was tapped it slowly turned around, and at once the air seemed to leave the room. Rather than find a dozing man as one might expect they found a sickly pale mayor, his eyes sunken and colorless in his unusually thin face. In fact his entire body was thin, like the life and every bit of strength had been sapped right out of him. No immediately notable injuries and yet he was very clearly dead, yet for how long? Appalled and baffled by the turn of events the guard slowly reached out, habitually checking for a pulse and finding none. "What in the name of the Saints..." he whispered, pausing as he noticed something unusual on the inner sleeve of the mayor's vest. Parting the cloth he reached in and pulled a slip of paper from his chest, eying the peculiar markings on it in confusion.

"A talisman...? But that's..." Wait, how could that be? He'd been with the others hadn't he? Yet that looked remarkably similar to something she'd seen before. Looking to Zander, Bernadette's eyes widened as she approached him slowly. "Zander? That's... Isn't that yours? You used the same thing before..." she mumbled nervously, stopping short as one of the guards stuck out an arm to halt her. Looking between everyone present her hands went to her chest, her eyes silently begging for some kind of explanation. No way could they be responsible, they weren't here. But... Who else used talismans like those?

The mayor was dead and evidently one of these children was to blame. Seeing Bernadette questioning the boy called Zander was all the guards needed to place an accusation. Drawing his sword from the scabbard one of the guards approached Zander, holding the blade out towards his chest as his hand trembled angrily. "You brat, you'll rot in a cell for this!" he shouted, raising his arm as though to strike him. Being grabbed in the back of his shirt by the lead guard however he was pulled back, scowling before glaring at the healer. "He killed the mayor! The brat double crossed us!"

"We don't know that! Don't jump to conclusions!" the lead guard retorted angrily, glancing back towards the rear of the group as other weapons were drawn. "Stand down, all of you! We'll investigate before we jump to conclusions!" A second later one of the men let out a scream, and a few incoherent shouts followed as the guards began turning around. Furrowing his brow the lead guard moved towards the door, edging everyone out of the way to see what was happening. In the hall and armed to the teeth were the Machina, eyes glowing an unusual red as they advanced in droves on the mayor's office. The guards had begun to try and fend them off and were now in a full out battle with them, struggling to hold back the inhuman fighters.

"What in the hell is going on? Why are they attacking?!" the guard shouted, glancing back at the mayor's corpse before looking again to Zander and the others, "You will wait here, we'll deal with this!" No sooner had he said that did the window behind the mayor's seat burst open, knocking his chair and body over onto the floor. Another Machina was coming into the room, sickle in hand as it tried to climb in. Storming over to the window the guard knocked away its weapon as it swung out at him, severing its head and pushing its body out. "Damn it! That's it, everyone out of the manor!" Stepping out the window the guard began to try and clear the way, only to suddenly be skewered by a pitchfork through his chest. As blood bubbled and passed through his lips he fell out of view, another three Machina piling up along the window. 

Why was this happening? Why were the Machina attacking? When they were here before they hardly seemed to even acknowledge their existence, what had changed? Nymira cursed as the fighting escalated behind them, another guard being cut down and then another as the Machina continued to assail their position. They had to get out of here, staying was certainly going to spell death. Handing Amuné off to Ethan she moved towards the window, extending a hand out towards the three Machina and letting a fireball loose that engulfed all three, melting them into skeletons as their frames fell to the ground. Jumping out of the window then she glanced around and found it clear, waving the others on. "Hurry, before more come!"

"Right, move everyone, move!" Ethan called as he held Amuné in one arm, waving the others on first. With the guards keeping the Machina behind them at bay they could get away like this, and while he hated to leave them to their fate he knew staying was out of the question. Bernadette went first, practically in hysterics as she clambered out the window with Nymira's help. Once everyone else had gone the white-haired Magi hurried after the others and climbed out as well, following the Dimuran around the back of the manor. No Machina had made it out here yet which was good, and the only thing between them and freedom was the wall. Mustering up what little magic left he could muster Ethan slammed a gust of wind into the bricks, knocking it loose enough to be toppled over. Panting from the exertion he went through the opening with the others, hurrying away from the manor as the sounds of battle raged on behind them.