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.