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.