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.