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.