“They say,” the handmaiden’s voice was surer, “they say that in their⁠—cradle⁠—near Earth’s heart they grew; grew untroubled by the turmoil and disorder which flayed the surface of this globe. And they say it was a place of light and that strength came to them from Earth heart⁠—strength greater than you and those from which you sprang ever derived from sun.

“At last, ancient, ancient beyond all thought, they say again, was this time⁠—they began to know, to⁠—to⁠—realize⁠—themselves. And wisdom came ever more swiftly. Up from their cradle, because they did not wish to dwell longer with those⁠—others⁠—they came and found this place.