this produced a frenzy of shouts , the elk ... . welcome to the elk ... they are on the way ! there had never been much of a population of them anyway-every child born was female , and the magic needed to conceive outside one 's species made things difficult . the beam had been solid , more like rock . well , other than the naughty nurse , but i knew that had been a joke . were you hoping to win a goldfish ? '' i have hurt you in front , as well . '' 