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.