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.