“There is a great meaning in this token amongst the youths and maidens of the Gael,” said he.
“I know that,” answered Deirdre. Deirdre returned to Levarcam.
“Thou hast gathered the flower,” said Levarcam.
“I have,” she replied, “and death and life are one to me now, dear foster-mother.”
Naysi went away through the forest and there is nothing related concerning him till he reached Dun Usna. It was night when he entered the hall. His brothers were sitting at the central fire. Anli was scouring a shield; Ardane was singing the while he polished a spear and held it out against the light to see its straightness and its lustre. They were in no way alarmed about their brother.
“I have seen Deirdre, the daughter of Felim,” he said.
“Then thou art lost!” they answered; the weapons fell from their hands upon the floor.
“I am,” he replied.
“What is thy purpose?” they said.
“To storm the guarded dun, even if I go against it alone, To bear away Deirdre and pass into the land of the Albanagh.” [Footnote: The Albanagh were the people who inhabited the north and west of Scotland, in fact the Highlanders. In ancient times they and the Irish were regarded as one people.]