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.