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.