The two lads blushed painfully and turned away.
Naoise was as one who has renounced life.
“There is nothing to be done,” said his dry lips. And then, shaking his shoulders, he tossed care from them.
“We shall be beyond the trees at this hour to-morrow night with the chariots,” he said. “If the hour passes and you do not come we shall attack the guards and take you out.”
He turned to the others.
“You must come with us, wherever we go, my brothers, for when the king finds that I am gone he will slay you two for eric.”
“He wouldn’t kill me,” Ardan boasted, “for I wouldn’t let him.”
“Nobody but Cúchulinn could kill you,” Ainnle scoffed.
“You couldn’t, anyway,” the youngest retorted.
“Little boasting Pillar of Combat!” his brother gibed. “Pooh! Battle-Torch of the Gael!”