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.