“It is here the man lives,” said the Knight of Valor. “He is really the king of a large country, but took the shape you saw him in to enlist your aid.”
The Knight of Valor raised his voice and gave a loud cry. Soon the gates of the castle opened. Out came the ugly old giant followed by his horse. On its back still rode the fourteen Fenians, while the fifteenth still clung to its tail.
“Have you been like that ever since you left us?” asked Finn, when the horse approached near enough for the men to hear his voice.
“We have not,” answered Conan. He and the others slipped off the horse’s back and came to greet their comrades. “We have been treated like kings. We merely came out in state so that you might not forget how we arrived.”
“Your pardon, O Finn,” said a voice.
Finn looked at the spot where the giant had been standing, but saw a strong young champion in his stead. “I am Avarta, ruler of this land. If I played the part of the Worthless Servant, it was to bring here enough Fenians to give us help in the hour of need. My messengers have informed me that the High King of the World is about to attack us. Without your help I would be defeated; with it I shall conquer.”
“Why did you not request my help, if you needed it, instead of taking away my men and forcing me to come after them?” asked Finn.
“Had I asked you to come to a far country to fight, you would have refused. You would have told me that it was your duty to remain in Erin to defend it,” said Avarta. “But I did know that you would not refuse to come to rescue your own men, and that you would help if you were here.”
“It is true,” said Finn. “I hold no hard feelings against you. My men and myself will do our part against the High King of the World.”
Then the leaders went into the banquet hall of the castle. The other warriors were quartered in the spacious courtyard. Avarta caused everything in his power to be done for their comfort. For a day and two nights they feasted, rested and waited for the arrival of the enemy.