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.