[The Capital City of Zahryssar — Dawn Breaks — The High Fountain Square]
Morning light had only just begun to spill across Sarythran, the capital of Zahryssar.
Shops had not opened yet. Merchants had only begun to lift their shutters. Mothers carried water jugs. Children tugged at their braided sashes.
Then—a scream broke the calm.
By the time the sun's first ray touched the great fountain at the heart of the city, half of Sarythran had gathered—hesitant, whispering, fear curling like smoke through the crowd as someone yelled, "Someone inform the High Ensi."
***
[Later]
The high Ensi Rakhane arrived at a fast stride, parting the people with a single gesture of authority. He stepped forward and froze.
The breath left his lungs.
"…Urzan preserve us," he whispered.
Two great serpents lay draped over the rim of the fountain—emerald-scaled, long-bodied, lifeless—their coils slack, their throats torn open.
