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.