His veins and muscles were evident and some dark spots in his head and chest where implants had been placed.

“Nice fleshwork,” said Valerius. “It must have cost you a pretty penny.”

“My share of the cargo of a Typhonian merchant cruiser,” said Ulrik to needle him.

“No sense in skimping when it comes to this sort of thing,” said Valerius. “You always pay for cheap work in the end. The possibilities for complications are endless.”

“I’ll bear that in mind,” said Ulrik.

“The eyes in particular are top-notch. Keyed to let you penetrate through illusions, notice spells and see in the dark by the looks of them. Have I missed anything out?”

“Your engine seems to be doing a good job.”

“Splendid! I must say this is a bonus. I was not expecting such sophisticated stuff in a sky pirate. It just goes to show; you should take nothing for granted. Every day you learn something new.”

“You said you would tell me why I was here.”

“I need a bodyguard.”

“Your House seems to be adequately provided with them.”

“As is often the case in this evil old world, appearances are deceptive.”

“The men who brought me here seemed real enough.”

“They are House Guards,” said Valerius twisted another knob. Somewhere something gurgled in the pipes. Ulrik feared that it was his blood.

“I don’t see what difference that makes.”

“They are loyal to House Karnak, not to me personally. A few days ago an assassin managed to get past them. He came very close to killing me. I have reason to suspect that they were bribed to allow this to happen.”

“You are saying your House has enemies wealthy enough to buy off your guards?”

“No. I have enemies within my own House. My position is rather delicate. I am not a very important member of the family but I have relatives who for their own reasons want me dead.”

“Why would they would want to do that?” asked Ulrik.

“It’s remarkable how nasty petty jealousies can turn when you have relatives as spoiled as mine. Some people see you as a threat. Some resent a simple jest you played on them in your misspent youth. Some suspect you, quite incorrectly, of wishing to have them eliminated and become heir yourself.”

“You have no such ambitions, of course.”

“Hardly. I have enough money for my researches, enough interesting duties to perform for my House, to which I can assure you I am quite devoted despite the ill-conceived malice of my kin. I am happy with my place in life. Let others negotiate commercial contacts or seek political advantage. I already have what I want.”

“But some of your relatives do not see things that way...”

“Your grasp of the situation is sound.”

“And you want me to protect you from these people.”

“No, I want you to protect me from the people they send to kill me. And anybody else who might attempt it, for that matter.”

Ulrik considered this. It sounded like it would not be any less dangerous than fighting in the Pit. Valerius had powerful enemies.

“You will not find me ungrateful. I am quite attached to my life, poor, worthless thing as it might seem to others.” Valerius did not sound like a man commanding a slave, but like a merchant negotiating a deal. Ulrik guessed that the wizard wanted his willing co-operation.

“How grateful would you be?”

“Your life will be quite luxurious when you were not protecting mine. There could be wine, women, narcotics...