But Deirdre was not happy. She saw Ainnle’s contained joy, and the ecstasy in Ardan’s eyes.
“Alas, my darlings!” she said.
“You still think,” said Naoise, “that the king of such a land can act towards us like a traitor?”
“I shall give you a sign,” she replied mournfully and gently. “If Conachúr lodges us this night in his own house we are safe.”
“He has sent for us of his own royal will,” said Ainnle, “and he will lodge us, as is proper, in the Royal Branch.”
“Poor trusting gentlemen!” said Deirdre. “Conachúr could not live again in the house where you three had lodged. He will send us to the Red Branch.”
“And if he does?” said Naoise.
“I,” Ardan cried, “am going to put a new edge on my sword if he does. There is a good edge on it already,” he explained, “but I am going to put edges all over it.”
“If we are sent to the Red Branch,” said Ainnle, “I shall let you give my blade a rub too.”
“I call on Iollann and Buinne for protection,” Ardan cried indignantly. “That man makes me work for him like a horse,” he complained.