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.