* * * * *
For that night Peterkin heard no more of the story of the Fate of the Sons of Turenn; but all the next evening, and the next again, he sat entranced by the strange moving tale of how Brian and Ur and Urba one by one fulfilled the hard and perilous conditions of their eric, and this until the sixth was done.
But here, now, this tale cannot be told in full. To tell it aright would need a volume not less than this is.
It must suffice that after innumerable hardships, after fierce cold and fiercer heat, after hunger and thirst and daily perils by land or sea, and strange and frightful encounters, and hazardous fights with monsters and wild men and kings and princes, the sons of Turenn found themselves sailing towards the remote north of Lochlin, having accomplished the six seeming impossible conditions.
That nigh-impossible task, indeed, had been made possible by the magic boat of Manannan, called the Sweeper of the Waves, which they had won from Lu by unlooked-for wile. For before they had left Tara they had played a game of chess with Lu Ildanna, well knowing that Lu was under geas never to refuse to play at chess when asked by any Dedannan, or to pay the hazard that was decided upon, whatsoever it might be. There was no player in all Erin to surpass Ur, though few knew this, for he was little given to talk, and still less of his own doings.
First Urba had offered to play with Lu, and the hazard of that play was to be the life of Lu Ildanna. “I will play that hazard,” he said, “if thou wilt pay the like penalty if thou dost lose.” But when Urba refused, he could play no more, because he had declined the counter-hazard.
Then Brian had offered to play, and the hazard of that play was to be Daurya, the beautiful daughter of a great lord, whom Lu loved. “I will play that hazard,” he said, “if, in return, thou wilt pledge me Enya of the Dark Eyes, thy sister.” But when Brian refused this hazard, he too could play no more with Lu until Lu asked him.
Then Ur played, and the hazard of that play was the “Sweeper of the Waves,” Manannan’s magic boat. “I will play that hazard,” Lu said, “if in return thou wilt sail in it, and affront Manannan to his face.” To that Ur agreed, and they played, and Ur won.
This magic boat would sail swiftly and safely in any sea whether calm or tempest-wrought, and at a word would make for any coast or haven; more like a great bird it was, or some creature of the air and sea.
“White shall be thy foamy track,” cried Lu as they sailed away; “but red everywhere shall be the wake behind ye.”