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.