"Back to the main group!" Esten ordered sharply. "Something's in the water!"
...
The knights regrouped at the center of town, the barrels of salted fish stacked nearby. Esten quickly relayed his observations. "There's something in the water. It hasn't shown itself yet, but it's big."
Kael's jaw tightened. "We'll have to be ready for an attack. Laris, how's the food situation?"
"Enough to feed everyone for a day or two," Laris replied. "It'll buy us time."
"Good," Kael said. "But we're not staying long. This town might seem peaceful, but it's not safe. We'll eat, rest briefly, and move on at first light."
A sudden splash interrupted the discussion, drawing every knight's attention to the docks. The water churned violently, and a massive, scaly creature broke the surface. Its blue scales gleamed in the fading light, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural yellow hue.
"Sea serpent!" someone shouted, panic creeping into their voice.
