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.