Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/61

 They landed in Erin and came to the house of Borrach, and by Conachoor's command Borrach bade Fergus to a feast. He reddened with anger but he could not refuse. 'Do what Borrach bids you,' said Deirdre in scorn, 'yet the forsaking of the sons of Usna is a high price for the feast.' They left Fergus, therefore, and with his two sons took the road to Navan. Deirdre tried to delay them by many pleadings and prophecies. Once she fell behind and was missed. They found her sleeping beside the track. She awoke with terrified eyes and Naisi asked:

'What is it, Deirdre?'

'A dream, Naisi. I dreamed that I saw the sons of Usna and the sons of Fergus under a cloud of blood, and only on the younger son of Fergus could I see a head. Wait. Turn back. Go anywhere, but avoid Conachoor, lest the dream come true.'

But Naisi would not delay or turn back, and on the next day they reached Navan. Conachoor gave orders that the House of the Red Branch should be prepared for their honour and pleasure. Deirdre was weary, and while the rest of the company feasted she lay on a couch of deerskins and played chess with Naisi. Then Levarcham came and kissed them and warned them to bar the doors and windows. On her return, she told Conachoor that sea and mountain had spoilt the beauty of Deirdre. At first the king thought that it might not be worth while now to attack the sons of Usna, but he sent a second messenger to spy on Deirdre. This man was one whose father and brother had been slain by Naisi. He did not enter the room but squinted through a window that was open. Even so Deirdre saw him and Naisi flung an ivory chess-man and put out one of the man's eyes. Nevertheless, the messenger told Cona-