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.