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.