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.