"And now it involves him signing up for a faerie carnival," Lambert concludes. That's the path that's led them all here -- though he may not know the specifics of what Childermass asked the Ringmaster for, or talked about how he ended, he also doesn't seem like the kind of man who'd be tricked by losing at a game of chance of skill into signing away a year and a day of his life.

However, that seems to be enough gossipping about their mutual acquaintance for now. Lambert sits up, dips the wooden ladle into the water bucket, and splashes more water onto the heated rocks. That sends up a hiss and a fresh wave of humid heat billowing up -- not like they needed any more, since they're both sweating in earnest. Lambert stretches his arms overhead, sweat sliding down his skin with the motion, and rests back against the wood again.

"Maybe we should get one of these in the Carnival. Shouldn't be that hard to build..."