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.