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.