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.