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.