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.