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.