"Damn shame we didn't think to grab a pike from the armory before we set out." He sighs; pulls off his boot. "Would've been perfect for hauling in something that size."

Off comes his sock, which he sets aside well away from the bait-filled one. Gingerly, Alistair eases his bare foot over the side of the dock and pokes the water with his toes.

Immediately, he yanks his foot back, says, "Nope," quite conversationally, and snatches up his clean sock again.