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.