“Then what is your name?”
“Not a very famous one. I am Mider of Bri Leith.”
“Why have you come here?”
“To challenge you to a game of chess.”
“I am a good chess-player,” replied the king, who was reputed to be the best in Ireland.
“I think I can beat you,” answered Mider.
“But the chess-board is in the queen’s room, and she is asleep,” objected Eochaid.
“It does not matter,” replied Mider. “I have brought a board with me which can be in no way worse than yours.”
He showed it to the king, who admitted that the boast was true. The chess-board was made of silver set in precious stones, and the pieces were of gold.
“Play!” said Mider to the king.