"Might not be able to fix it next time," Lambert agrees -- though whether he's thinking about another knee to already-injured nose, or something more permanent and potentially fatal is anyone's guess. Could be about even odds.

With nothing else to do with his hands while the fish cooks, Lambert pulls the dagger out again, running his hands along the blue-sheened surface and checking the edge for nicks as he speaks.

"Vampire we were up against had an affinity for controlling beasts. Just so happens the Warden ended up under her influence." What with being a werewolf and all, or maybe just because he's so animalistic already? Lambert's been wondering about that, wondering if the fledgeling vampires they have running around will display the same talents or not -- and if so, what implications that could have for the rest of the Carnival's members. If it's the damn Warden's job to defend them, and he couldn't resist the lure ... hell, he can put down workers if he has to, but he'd rather not.