Naoise dropped on one knee, rose again, leaped high in the air and dropped again on his knee. Deirdre fell to the ground and rose up gasping. Ardan rolled over on his back, tossed his shield away, and came slowly up again, beating the air with his hands. Ainnle went half way down, rose again, and continued his advance on tiptoe.
A look of dismay and rage came on Naoise’s face. He moved with extraordinary slowness to Deirdre and lifted her to his shoulder.
“We are lost,” he said. “That magician——!”
“Keep on swimming,” Ardan giggled. “There was never water here before, but the whole sea has risen around our legs, and we may paddle to Uisneac.”
The arms dropped from their hands, and, in fact, they swam.
Not for a minute or two did the soldiers dare advance, and then they did so cautiously. They picked up the fallen weapons, and then only did they lay hands on the raging champions.
Cathfa dropped his arms to his sides.
“We are taken,” said Naoise. “Our run is ended.”