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.