This had been a mistake. While there was work to be done, orders to be completed, and pieces to be polished off, of all the things Kenneth would do was to ask to go watch the Grand Melee. The first response Gregory made was just a look, expecting Kenneth to have known better. And yet in a short few minutes later, he had asked again. And again. And yet again. For days before the event, did the boy test the Gargoyle's patience and on the day before the event itself, his efforts were redoubled. Finally, earning the well deserved ire of the annoyed Gargoyle, Kenneth won at last. Gregory had decided if the boy would be so adamant about going, he would never let Gregory have a moment of peace should they miss the event. Which is why Gregory and Kenneth were there to begin with. 

He had never attended many of these. One perhaps decades ago to serve as a weapons inspector, to ensure the wooden weapons were similar to their metal counterparts, yet retained a margin of safety which a good healer can resolve with relative ease. Today however, it appeared Kenneth was set on making Gregory a spectator. As they sifted through the market stalls, Kenneth all too enthusiastic about the bag of Ms. Lovett's Pies he had goaded Gregory to purchase for them. And by for them, of course he knew Kenneth would end up eating the whole bag. This was a carnival day for the boy, with sights, sounds and smells to behold. He was certain the boy had tried flirting with Ms. Lovett as he took a rather long time getting about those pies. A shapely woman with good birthing hips, but far too attractive for someone as crude as Kenneth. And stepping in with his claws grabbed around the back of Kenneth's tunic collar, he gave the blushing Ms. Lovett a look before dragging the protesting boy away. [i][b][color=C36241]"Lemme Go! Come on, lemme go already! Master Gregory!"[/color][/b][/i] and Gregory complied once out of earshot. [i][b][color=C36241]"I know you think she's out of my league Sir, but what I'd love to do to her, a boy can dream right?"[/color][/b][/i] How juvenile. 

Some time passed an the fifty had been culled to fifteen. Kenneth was screaming at the top of his lungs, mouth filled with meat pie at times,  The event had been rather boring for Gregory, who was flooded with more special orders, as he tells Kenneth from dealing with the Vines. The less the boy knew the better. That was when the stranger, a man who ripped off his cloak, to which Kenneth had probably expected a streaker, but those Crimson Vines told Gregory the man had no intention of running around the grounds with his privates out for the audience. And everyone else caught up with the war cry. And to make matters worse, it seemed as if this man also had some hooby-joobery magic not unlike Keelie. The giant fire lizard busy chomping down on the fighters and making the arena run amok was another indicator for Gregory to have just stayed at home today.

[i][b][Color=4863A0]"Kenneth, chain."[/color][/b][/i] The Creature summoned forth by the Vine was certainly impressive. Although those bony plates it had may make some wonderful pommel material, or shield inlays, maybe something could be done with those teeth. Sure it wasn't metal, but material was still material, and a strange beast like this would offer a chance to work with new forging techniques. Time to walk the dog.