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.