“Sweet girl,” said Naoise, “he will kill us, but you will be spared. You shall see that sun come up. You shall look at it for us.”
“Dear husband,” she said, “do you still love me? Do you truly love me?”
His eyes gave her answer.
“Here comes Conachúr,” said Ainnle.
“And a large person with him,” said Ardan.
It was Mainè Rough-Hand, son of the King of the Fair Norwegians, they say; but others think it was Eogan, son of Durthacht, the prince of Ferney.
“You shall die at the hand of a gentleman as befits your rank,” said Conachúr.
“I shall be the first,” said Ardan briskly. “I am first in every great deed,” he explained to Conachúr.
“Hark to him!” Ainnle laughed. “Respect your elders, young person, and the heads of your family.”