Deep in the stone and earth not far from the site that was once Thsoling, elementals gathered. No light or air permeates the strata, but the senses of the assembled beings recognized each other well.
"We, Resonant Roar, have called."
"And we have come," the elementals replied.
"What has been witnessed? What is of import to all the Silent Quartz?"
Seven Deep Rumbles moved forward. "Perhaps nothing, perhaps something."
The senior elemental shifted. "Seven Deep Rumbles, you've traveled far. We taste the foreignness of your presence."
The elemental nodded, or did what passed for the motion amongst their kind. "Yes, Resonant Roar. We've been to the great chasm of Light and tasted the turned soil of the maad-uhr."
"Indeed. And it has something to do with the uhr that used to reside so near? The ones the Other turned to dust?"
"We heard the call of an uhr-brother in one of their hollows nearby. And the thought came to us to answer it," Seven Deep Rumbles replied. They sounded out their companions -- most remained motionless, but a couple resonated with disgust. The elemental continued: "It asked of the fate of the cavern. Then the uhr requested a favor of us."
"Disgusting!" another being grumbled. "And off they went. Like clay they are."
"Silence," Resonant Roar commanded. The elemental in question quieted, but its anger was palpable.
Seven Deep Rumbles ignored the other. "We demanded a favor of it and then complied. We found one of its uhr-brothers in Avis Abeh, told them of the fall of Thsoling, and returned."
Resonant Roar contemplated the short tale for almost as long as it took to relate. But they finally spoke. "And what of our brothers from the Silver Court?"
"And nothing. We sounded them, and they us. Some hailed, but we prefer the uncluttered and quieter deep."
"Don't we all," Resonant Roar agreed. "What of this uhr-brother, and the favor?"
"Mrrrmm. Part of us is curious. They were only two, and they continued to leave their precious Light further behind." Seven Deep Rumbles felt the same brothers shift and shudder.
"Will you follow them?"
"If you do not disallow it."
"No, we do not. We are also curious." A quiver of surprise passed through many of the gathered beings. Resonant Roar chuckled. "We have deeper senses than some of our brothers; we do not blindly ignore or despise anything that is not elemental. If for no other reason than they can amuse us. But their games may also resonate through our lives."
"All the more reason to let flesh things solve their own problems!" The elemental that had heckled Seven Deep Rumbles before came forward. All sensed its fervent soundings that appealed for support. "Or better yet, squeeze them until they rupture water and finally turn to dust. This was all ours before they came! The maad have confused our ways, and they brought the Other! How much must they shatter before we react?"
Resonant Roar shifted its attention. "Be still Five Sudden Crackles! We will not wage war on any of the maad!" The elder elemental earned its name. Its soundings stilled the assembled beings. "It is futile, they've the power to turn us to dust, and only more will come. Have faith, we will guide us along the softest path." The mammoth being turned in a circle and sounded out each elemental.
"We are diamond and they are flesh. We will not bend or shatter, but they are clay. Watch them, use them, and mold them we may, but do not kill them unless we must. This we demand." None dared to speak against the elder.
Resonant Roar turned to Seven Deep Rumbles and said: "Follow them, learn their goal -- but try to remain silent, and return. We are interested." It sighed and paused for a few moments. "All may go; we will hear other news later. We have much to consider."
Dismissed, the elementals went their separate ways. All save one -- it followed Seven Deep Rumbles into the wilds beyond Thsoling.
