“You may take it when you like,” said Balor.
Cian took his son to Erin; the child grew wonderfully after that, and was soon of full strength.
Cian went to the druid.
“The time is near,” said the druid, “when Balor will stand on Muin Duv. He’ll raise his eye-shields; and if the red spear is not put in his eye when the last shield is raised, all Erin will be burned in one flash. Go now and ask Balor Beiman for your wages; say that you want the cow Glas Gownach, for we want her and must have her. He will refuse, dispute, and quarrel, give bad names. You will say that he must pay you, must give the cow or go to judgment. He will go to judgment rather than give the cow; and do you choose his daughter as judge; she will give the cow to you.”
“I will go to judgment,” said Balor, when Cian insisted on getting the cow. “What judgment will you have?”
“My case is a true one,” said Cian. “I ask no judge but the one yourself will take. I ask no judge but your own daughter.”
“Let her be the judge,” said Balor.
Cian put on his cloak of darkness, and, going to the daughter, explained his case to her. Next day Balor went in and told her all the story of the cow Glas Gownach.
“I must have nine days to think the matter over,” said Balor’s daughter.