“Who is the maiden you love?”
“The King’s daughter, Flame-of-Wine.”
He told the Spae-Woman about the presents he had given her—he told the Spae-Woman too that he had bound himself to seven years’ service to Mogue on account of these presents. The Spae-Woman said, “What other treasures are in Mogue’s pack?”
“One treasure more the Girdle of Truth. Whoever puts it on can speak nothing but the truth.”
Said the Spae-Woman, “You are to take the Girdle of Truth and give it to Flame-of-Wine. Tell Mogue that I said he is to give it to you without adding one day to your years’ service. When Flame-of-Wine has put the girdle around her waist ask her for the seven drops of heart’s blood that will bring your mother’s seven brothers back to their human shapes. She may love you and yet refuse to give you the seven drops from her heart. But tell her of this, and hear what she will say.”
Flann left the Spae-Woman’s and went back to Mogue’s tent. The loss of his treasures had overcome Mogue and he was drinking steadily and went from one bad temper to another.
“Begin your service now by watching the tent while I sleep,” said he.
“There is one thing more I want from you, Mogue,” said Flann.
“By the Eye of Balor! you’re a cuckoo in my nest. What do you want now?”
“The Girdle of Truth.”