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.