The Lake Remembers What They Did

Claire Reed guarded a giant serpent for years, keeping her village safe. Her son Evan Reed and his wife found gold and forced her to drive it away. She refused; they went anyway. She tried to stop them but was beaten. They angered the serpent, which attacked. Claire calmed it and made them vow not to touch the gold. But they broke their vow and poisoned the serpent. Heartbroken, Claire left with it. Without it, bandits enslaved the village.