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.