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.