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.