JUST  OFF THE  COAST  TO  THE BALTIC SEA 
   THERE'S A FRESHWATER POND, SECLUDED    
 AMONG ASHEN AND JUNIPER.  A CLEFT IN THE 
   LIMESTONE BEDROCK, SHARP-CUT FROM THE  
    SURROUNDING PLAINS, A NINETY DEGREE   
 DROP DOWN,  DOWN,  TO THE MIDNIGHT-BLACK 
                  WATER.                  
                                          
                          
                                  
     FAIRIES LIVE HERE.     
                                  
                          
                                          
 THEY  SPEAK  TO  THE SLOANE,  CARESS IT, 
 URGE IT  TO GROW THICKER, TANGLED,  WITH 
 LONGER AND  SHARPER THORNS. THEY TELL IT 
 TO STAY  JUST  BELOW THE GRASS, SO  THAT 
 THE  ANIMALS  WHAT  COME  TO  DRINK  THE 
 WATER  CANNOT  SEE  IT BEFORE  IT  DRAWS 
 THEIR BLOOD.  CLOSER  TO  THE POND,  THE 
 SLOANE CAN  GROW  TALLER, BEING ABLE  TO 
         HIDE ALSO IN THE JUNIPER.        
                                          
 THE FAIRIES WILL BECKON  THE ANIMALS  TO 
 PUSH  FORWARD,  TELL  THEM  THAT THEY'RE 
 ALMOST  AT  THE  WATER,  THAT  THEY  MAY 
 DRINK SOON.  AND  THEY WILL  TUG  ON THE 
 SLOANE TO MAKE SURE THAT  THE THORNS CUT 
 DEEP. WHEN  THEY  FINALLY  FIND THE PATH 
 DOWN  BETWEEN THE ROCKS,  AWAY  FROM THE 
 BUSHWORK AND  INTO THE  CLEFT, THEY  ARE 
 BLEEDING  FROM  A  THOUSAND  WOUNDS.  AS 
 THEY  DRINK  FROM THE DARK  WATER, IT IS 
 IN  TURN  DRINKING  THE  ANIMALS  BLOOD. 
                                          
 THE  CIRCLE  IS COMPLETE,  THE  CONTRACT 
 CARRIED OUT;  THE ANIMAL IS ABANDONED TO 
 FIND ITS OWN WAY BACK. THE  BUSHES ROOTS 
 DRINK THE NUTRUTIOUS  WATER. THE FAIRIES 
          DANCE IN THE SUNBEAMS.