According to an old Pejite proverb, "A single spark can set a forest ablaze." In the Valley of the Wind, this spark was Ketcha's presence, inadvertently transformed from a closely guarded secret into widespread knowledge due to Tersa's indiscretion.

The women and girls of the village, who had been covertly observing the cabin, now fervently believed that Ketcha was a Dorok witch who had bewitched Asbel. They attributed the Valley's withering trees and the dwindling water in the castle well – the Valley's last source of pure water – to her supposed dark influence. Rumors spread about Ketcha, seen carrying stones and murmuring incantations in the forest. Her microscope was misconstrued as an instrument of sorcery, and her musical instrument, a tool for demonic rituals.

Asbel confronted the restless crowd, his voice steady. "Witchcraft is a myth, a fable. Ketcha is no witch. These accusations are baseless!" He was supported by some of the Valley men and the rational Pejiteans, who argued for reason and understanding.

But Tersa fanned the flames of fear. "Look at her!" she exclaimed, revealing Ketcha's tattoos to the gathering. "These are not mere markings. They are witch signs!"

The crowd restrained Ketcha exposing her tattoos to the gathering. Humiliated and cornered, tried to explain. "These tattoos are from my youth, as an acolyte of a Mani priest. They are sacred, not sinister."

Tersa retorted sharply, "And who's to say the Mani priests aren't to blame for the Toxic Jungle's curses? Obaba warned us against dark magic, and here it is, hiding among us!"

Asbel countered, his voice rising in frustration. "Obaba would never cast out someone in need. Ketcha is a friend of Nausicaä, we travelled together for months. The princess herself would vouch for her innocence!"

Tersa, unmoved, reminded the crowd that Nausicaä had left her in charge. "As regent in Nausicaä's absence , I must protect this Valley at all costs."

The death of Obaba and many of the Valley elders had left a vacuum of authority, and no one remained to bring order to the chaos. A vote was called to decide Ketcha's fate. The Pejiteans, sympathetic to her plight, argued against the cruel timing of winter exile, which would almost certainly mean death. Tersa, seizing control, declared the Pejiteans ineligible to vote, claiming they should be thankful for the shelter they'd been given.

The village meeting erupted into violence, the valley people turning against the Pejites and vice versa. As Tersa brandished a large black stone at Ketcha, the tension reached its peak. Ketcha, overwhelmed by fear and despair, broke down in tears.

The villagers, driven by fear and superstition, voted overwhelmingly for Ketcha's banishment. Asbel, his expression a mix of defiance and grief, declared, "If Ketcha is banished, then I will join her."

Tersa's reaction went unnoticed in the ensuing angry crowd erupted in fury. Bricks and chairs were hurled at the witch and the Pejite traitor as they fled.

In the evening's dim light, Asbel and Ketcha quickly mounted their yakkul, towards their home and escaping over the Table Mountain. As they rode, Ketcha tugged at Asbel's hat. "Look!" she gasped.

As they escaped, Ketcha, tugging at Asbel's hat, cried out in shock. From their elevated position, they witnessed the devastating sight of their cabin ablaze, consumed by the villagers' fiery wrath. Years of effort, ancient texts, and the well drill – all were lost in the inferno of anger.

Disappearing over the hill, they left Tersa behind, standing in silence, tears streaming down her face.