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The Nymph Necile, she who had reared him and been his foster-mother, was
still youthful and strong and beautiful, and it seemed to her but a short time
since this aged, gray-bearded man had lain in her arms and smiled on her
with his innocent, baby lips.
In this is shown the difference between mortals and immortals.
It was fortunate that the great Ak came to the Forest at this time. Necile
sought him with troubled eyes and told him of the fate that threatened their
friend Claus.
At once the Master became grave, and he leaned upon his ax and stroked his
grizzled beard thoughtfully for many minutes. Then suddenly he stood up
straight, and poised his powerful head with firm resolve, and stretched out his
great right arm as if determined on doing some mighty deed. For a thought
had come to him so grand in its conception that all the world might well bow
before the Master Woodsman and honor his name forever!
It is well known that when the great Ak once undertakes to do a thing he
never hesitates an instant. Now he summoned his fleetest messengers, and
sent them in a flash to many parts of the earth. And when they were gone he
turned to the anxious Necile and comforted her, saying:
"
Be of good heart, my child; our friend still lives. And now run to your Queen
and tell her that I have summoned a council of all the immortals of the world
to meet with me here in Burzee this night. If they obey, and harken unto my
words, Claus will drive his reindeer for countless ages yet to come."
At midnight there was a wondrous scene in the ancient Forest of Burzee,
where for the first time in many centuries the rulers of the immortals who
inhabit the earth were gathered together.
There was the Queen of the Water Sprites, whose beautiful form was as clear
as crystal but continually dripped water on the bank of moss where she sat.
And beside her was the King of the Sleep Fays, who carried a wand from the
end of which a fine dust fell all around, so that no mortal could keep awake
long enough to see him, as mortal eyes were sure to close in sleep as soon as
the dust filled them. And next to him sat the Gnome King, whose people
inhabit all that region under the earth's surface, where they guard the
precious metals and the jewel stones that lie buried in rock and ore. At his
right hand stood the King of the Sound Imps, who had wings on his feet, for
his people are swift to carry all sounds that are made. When they are busy
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