The marsh serpent died halfway through its attempt to reach the water.
Evan held its head away from Bram while Nella drove her spear beneath the scales behind its jaw. Jory's last spell struck along the creature's exposed side, and Kelan pulled Bram clear before the thrashing tail could break his leg.
The serpent collapsed across the reeds.
For several seconds, the only sounds were breathing and the slow movement of muddy water around their boots.
"Everyone alive?" Evan asked.
"You are holding its mouth closed." Bram said from the ground. "I am reasonably certain it is the one that died."
Kelan offered him a hand. "That was not the question."
Bram stood and tested his weight. "Alive. Bruised. Still handsome."
Nella wiped her spear clean. "One out of three is enough."
