+++ Certainly. With a probability of 94.37 per cent +++

'Not great odds,' said Ponder, 'But perhaps—'

'Hold on again,' said Rincewind, still thinking about that bottle. ' 'Humans aren't bottles. How about alive, with fully functioning brains and all organs and limbs in the right place?'

Unusually, Hex paused before replying.

+++ There will be unavoidable minor changes +++

'How minor, exactly.'

+++ I cannot guarantee reacquiring more than one of every 1 organ+++

There was a long, chilly silence from the wizards.

+++ Is this a problem? +++

'Maybe there's another way?' said Rincewind.

'What makes you think that?'

'The note asks for the Librarian.'

In the heat of the night, magic moved on silent feet.

One horizon was red with the setting sun. This world went around a central star. The elves did not know this and, if they had done, it would not have bothered them. They never bothered with detail of that kind. The universe had given rise to life in many strange places, but the elves were not interested in that, either.

This world had created lots of life. Up until now, none of it had ever had what the elves considered to be potential. But this time, there was definite promise.

Of course, it had iron, too. The elves hated iron. But this time, the rewards were worth the risk.

This time ...

One of them signalled. The prey was close at hand. And now they saw it, clustered in the trees around a clearing, dark blobs against the sunset.

The elves assembled. And then, at a pitch so strange that it entered the brain without the need to use the ears, they began to sing.