There was great rejoicing in the land when the fleet sailed away. Avarta thanked the Fenians for their aid and gave them many rich gifts. Finn was satisfied. Avarta, however, was willing to make still further amends.
“Since I took away your men by an enchantment, it is only fair that you should make an award for me to fulfill,” he insisted.
“There is no award I would require of you,” said Finn, who never asked favors of any man to whom he had given help.
“Stay, O Finn,” cried Conan. “You did not have to ride all day on that bony back, which was sharper than a sword. If there is an award to be made, I am the one entitled to it.”
Finn would have said no, fearing that Conan would ask for gold and thus put shame upon the Fenians. But Avarta turned to Conan politely and told him to name his award.
“It is this,” said Conan. “You are to bring out your bony horse and place upon its back fourteen of your own nobles. You are to bring them to Erin, so some one else shall feel the pain of that journey.”
The Fenians roared with laughter. They were glad that Conan had not yielded to his desire for gain, but had made a good award.
“And I wish to add the sentence, that Avarta himself shall cling to the animal’s tail,” said the young Fenian who had made the trip in that manner. “Only in that way can he appreciate the pain I bore in coming.”
“The award is just,” declared Avarta. “Get on your ship. When you arrive in Erin we shall be with you.”
So the Fenians got on their ship and went back as rapidly as sails and oars could take them. When they landed in Erin the ship disappeared, but where it had been, the waves parted and the great horse, with fourteen nobles on its back and the Worthless Servant clinging to its tail, came out on the shore.