[The Count gives a wry little half-smile, as though accustomed to the foolishness and injustice of the world through long experience.]

They ask very little. All their assignments and missions are quite voluntary. But the things they do not bother to ask about are rather troubling, I must say. No request is ever made regarding the markings they place on our bodies, for example. But it is a little thing, we hear, a reasonable cost for their hospitality.

[The smile grows thinner.]

What you will not hear is that those who consider it unreasonable have very little recourse.