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.