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.