“You others, Ainnle and Ardan and the sons of Fergus, open this door and you shall go free.”
Naoise looked gravely at his companions.
“That is the necessary second part,” said Buinne, hitching his sword-belt round.
Naoise’s brothers took no notice, but their faces grew savage and their eyes narrowed and sparkled.
“Iollann and Deirdre, keep an eye on the windows,” Naoise warned.
Iollann dangled a sling in his hand and Deirdre held another with a copper bolt in it.
“If,” said the voice, “the woman Deirdre comes out we will go away.”
“Watch the windows,” Naoise warned; “they are talking to keep us occupied.”
Deirdre’s arm swung viciously, and a wild yell told that the bolt had gone home.
“I thought so,” said Naoise. “They cannot get in through the windows because of the bars, but they could manage to fly an arrow through, although it would be an awkward shot.”