“There is no quarrel,” said the herald, “between the king and Fergus mac Roy. The king’s love for Fergus is such that he wishes at any cost to save his two sons from a death that is certain.”
“Well?” said Buinne.
“The king says that if these young men retire from the combat he will bestow a lordship on them.”
“What lordship?”
“A cantred of land greater than that which Fergus himself has, and the king’s friendship.”
Buinne looked under steep red brows at Naoise.
“I shall go out,” he said.
He turned to his brother.
“You will come out with me.”
“I shall not,” said Iollann.