“What about building them to our specifications? Then we can get the size right and the shape. We can compensate for your . . . awkward form.” Isaac grinned and continued. “Trouble is, material science being what it is, we might be able to make them exact enough, and light enough, and strong enough, but I honestly doubt it. I’m working on designs that might work, but might not. I don’t think the odds are good enough.

“Also, you’ve got to remember that this whole project is dependent on you getting Remade by a virtuoso. I’m glad to say I don’t know any Remakers, which is the first thing, and the second is they’re usually more interested in humiliation, industrial power or aesthetics than in something as intricate as flight. There are shitloads of nerve endings, loads of muscles, ripped-up bones and the like floating around in your back, and they’d have to get every one exactly right if you were going to have the slightest chance of getting airborne.”

Isaac had steered Yagharek into a chair. He pulled up a stool and sat opposite him. The garuda was completely silent. He gazed at Isaac with powerful concentration, then at the diagrams he held. This was how he read, Isaac realized, with this intensity and focus. He was not like a patient waiting for a doctor to get to the point: he was taking in every single word.

“I should say that I’m not totally finished with this. There’s one person I know who’s adept at the sort of bio-thaumaturgy you’d need to have working wings grafted to you. So I’m going to go round and pick his brains about the chances of success.” Isaac grimaced and shook his head. “And let me tell you, Yag old son, that if you knew this geezer you’d know how damn noble that is. There’s no sacrifice I won’t make it for you . . .” He paused lengthily.

“So there’s the chance this chap could say ‘Yes, wings, no problem, bring him round and I’ll do it on Dustday afternoon.’ That is possible, but you employ me for my scientific nous, and I’m telling you that it’s my professional opinion that that won’t happen. I think we have to think laterally.