The scarves that bound her hairwere next, and then Lila slipped the outer robes from her shoulders,leaving her standing in a light silken slip that ca...e to her knees. Ata word, she numbly stepped from her sandals and stood barefoot on therush matting.The excitement had produced a large circle of men who were avidlyfollowing Lila's actions. Even a few tavern girls were peering at thespectacle from a careful distance. The word of what had happened hadcirculated quickly. A few glances were cast at. She’s in a hurry. Though I suppose we don’t have much time. Noting her direction, he slapped his charge on the shoulder and turned to leave. His singleminded focus caused him to clumsily stumble over the Halfling, who — temporarily bereft of his patron’s protection — was quietly lurking nearby, trying to learn why the company’s plans seemed to be changing. Failing to bite back an impatient curse, he found himself delivering a much longer explanation than he had patience or time for, before. No, those honors always seemed to go to a man named Jules Harker, an account executive whose office was on the third floor. The small, balding Mr. Harker spent inordinate amounts of time at his desk each day with his eyes closed and the fingers of his left hand on the bridge of his nose, as if to soothe the spot where his glasses rode.I spent the two weeks Jack gave me slowly closing in on Jules Harker. I circled him, dipping in now and then, touching the edges of him, feeling the grain of him,. "If their babies are without defect, their pregnancies will be allowed to continue. The children will be raised in the nursery, like any other. They will also be studied to learn what we can of their genetic heritage. Only then will the girls' fate be determined."Tamar grunted and sat down moodily."I believe that you did not deliberately set out to perpetrate this crime, which is why we choose not to banish you," the Chamberlain continued. "As soon as it can be arranged, you will be conveyed to.