Several days had passed since the final transformation. Mordred, like the few rare survivors of the ritual, had been placed in isolation in special quarters. The king, satisfied beyond his expectations, had generously rewarded the scientists responsible for this new generation of half-dragon assassins. Rewards in gold, rare jewels, power, and prestige had been granted to them under the approving gaze of the court.
The quarters that Mordred now occupied were very different from the cold, damp cells he had been accustomed to. Located in a special wing of the royal palace, these private lodgings were surprisingly spacious, almost luxurious. The walls were of dark marble, slightly veined with silver gray. Thick, soft carpets covered the cold floors, bringing a comfort that Mordred no longer believed he would ever taste again.
