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.