Then, turning to King Manus, Zabulun said, “You have granted my request. Command now that your grooms go to the stable and bring out the black horse that I am to ride.”
King Manus gave the commands. Then out of the door of the castle they all went and into the courtyard. The still light of the dawn, the dawn of Midsummer’s Day, was coming over the world. The grooms went to the stable, and in full sight of all unlocked the great stable door and brought out the black horse whose swiftness was such that he could overtake the wind of March that was before him, while the wind of March that was behind could not overtake him. They brought forth the black horse and they held him while the dark-faced man put himself astride. Then the hoofs of the last of the King’s horses struck fire out of the stones of the courtyard, while a cry went up from Anluan, the one-time fisherman.
And away went Zabulun the Enchanter, away, away in pursuit of Eean and Bird-of-Gold, and the light of the Midsummer Day came into the world.
III. The Last Flight of Eean and Bird-of-Gold
As the first light of the Midsummer Day came over the world the two who were fleeing before him were speaking of Zabulun the Enchanter. “That we may baffle him,” one said.
“And what if we cannot baffle him this time?” said the other.
“Then he will take me and make me do terrible services for him”—it was Eean who said this—“and, worse than all the services he will make me do, he will separate us.”
“No, no,” said Bird-of-Gold. “If he takes us this time, I shall do everything to make myself useful to the Enchanter. I have thought out ways in which I can serve him. He will not separate us and we will be together still.”
“O, Bird-of-Gold,” said Eean, “I am fearful lest he should slay you for taking the Magic Mirror off the Tower of Babylon. But I have a sword and he shall not harm you.”