[Assailants], persons assailing or attacking.
[Misgivings], doubts and fears of something wrong.
[Unwittingly], without knowing.
[Unerring], with a straight aim so as not to miss.
[Hireling troops], soldiers serving for pay: they were not Ultonians and did not belong to the Red Branch. The troops of the Red Branch could not be got to attack the Sons of Usna.
[Shouts of defiance], shouts challenging and threatening.
[Assault], a violent attack.
[Marshalling], arranging.
[Treason], treachery, foul play.