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.