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.