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.