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.