Now when Finn’s two enemies were come to Allen he asked them how they had fared, and whether they had brought with them the head of Dermat or a handful of berries from the quicken-tree.
And they answered, ‘Sharvan the giant is slain, and behold here we have brought thee berries from the quicken-tree so that henceforth we may live at peace.’
Then Finn took the berries in his hand, and when he had smelled them three times he said, ‘Of a truth these be the berries of the quicken-tree, but not of your own strength have ye gotten them. Full well I know that by Dermat hath Sharvan the giant been slain, and from his hand have ye gotten the berries. Therefore have ye no peace from me, and now shall I summon an army that I may march to the wood of the quicken-tree, for there surely doth Dermat dwell.’
Now when Finn came with his army to the quicken-tree it was noon, and the sun shone with great heat.
Therefore Finn said to his men, ‘Under this tree shall we rest until the sun be set, for well I know that Dermat is among the branches. Bring hither a chess-board that I may play.’
And Finn sat down to play against Oisin his son, but there were with Oisin three nobles to help him, while Finn played without aid.
With care and with skill did they play, until at length Finn said to his son, ‘I see one move, Oisin, that would win thee the game, yet is there none of thine helpers that can show thee how thou mayest win.’
Then Dermat, who had watched the game from among the branches overhead, spoke aloud to himself the move that should be played.
And Grania sat by her husband ill at ease. ‘It matters not, Dermat,’ she said, ‘whether Oisin win or lose the game, but if thou speakest so that they hear, it may cost thee thy life.’
Yet did Dermat pay no heed to the counsel of Grania, but plucked a berry, and with it took aim so true that he hit the chessman that Oisin should move.