before there was glass, there was sand-- flecks of stone, white and salty, scoured and sifted by the waves before there was glass, there was seaweed-- deep-drowned grasses, sleek green hair, swaying and curling in the tide before there was glass, there were seashells-- cups of bone, empty houses, holding the distant echo of Eldamar before there was glass, there was fire-- kelp rendered to ashes and light, shells burned to lime, sand to glowing slag melding the three, the craftsman spoke soft words, burning the dross, smoothing the surface, as he bound the spirit of fire in the Stone |