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.