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.