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.