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.