There is no reason why you could not rise very high indeed in my service. Believe me, I am being truthful when I tell you I want our relationship to be rewarding for both of us.”

Ulrik could see the advantages to Valerius of having him as a bodyguard. He saw that his position here was far better than it was when he had occupied his cell in the Pit.

“And you will find that your new implant is not entirely a disadvantage. It protects its host in a number of ways…”

“How?”

“It can metabolise most poisons. It lessens your need to sleep. It speeds up healing astonishingly. As you have no doubt noticed, you have recovered from your surgery far quicker than is natural.”

“Why is it so generous in its protection?”

“Come now, Ulrik, I would have thought it was obvious to a man of your intelligence. The demons want to give their young the best chance of surviving. Helping their hosts to do so until the larvae are ready to hatch contributes to this.”

“I could live without that sort of help.”

“There are other benefits. It will modify your nervous system so that your other grafts become more efficient. This is only natural since all of the grafts enjoy a certain kinship, being ultimately derived from the same source. You will become faster and stronger even than you are now.”

“No doubt this was also part of your calculation of my worth to you.”

“Indeed. As was your obvious tolerance for large numbers of grafts. In many ways you are the ideal subject for this experiment.”

“So this is all still an experiment.”

“Regrettably so. This is not a procedure that anyone had attempted before. Still, if it all goes wrong you will have the consolation that you will have helped advance the sum total of human knowledge a smidgeon.”

“I doubt if that will be any consolation whatsoever.”

“I can see how you might look at things that way.”

“Will I be allowed to leave these chambers?”

“You already are. I have given the guardian elemental instructions to that effect. You are free to move through any of the public areas of the building, to take your meals in the refectory or have them delivered here should you wish. There is a crystal in the living area which, if you use it, will bring you servants. Pleasure slaves will be available to you; if you want them, tell one of the House Servants. And there is one more thing...”

“What is that?”

“You are my personal bodyguard. You take orders only from me. If anyone tells you differently tell them that is a direct command, and that if they have a problem with it, they should come and talk to me.” The way he said it let Ulrik know that he expected that the problem might actually arise.

“What about this shackle?”

Valerius touched one of the amulets on his chest. The gem lost its glitter, the lock clicked open. “Remove it if you wish. You will need to be free to come and go from the tower. This evening we shall be going out.”

“As you say,” said Ulrik. He wondered where their destination would be, and if there would be any danger when they got there. Presumably there would be.