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 The witches looked at each other, well satisfied with the way they had captured the Fians, whose brave deeds and unfailing courage were sung all over the country.

"I think we have them all," said larran to her sisters, "and now, if you will fetch the two-edged swords from the dun, we will kill them." Then, addressing the Fians: "Great heroes you are indeed, to be so easily conquered by three women. Among you all there is not one who has strength to lift a weapon, nor will you ever again hunt or trespass in our province, for before the night passes there will be no Fians alive in the land of Imidel."

The sisters, Caemog and Cullen of the Red Hair, returned with the swords to Iarran, but before they began to slay the heroes they went outside the cave, and looked round on every side, thinking that perhaps some of the Fians might have escaped their enchantments.

They were on the point of returning to perform their dreadful work when, emerging from the wood clothing the lower slopes of the hillside, they observed a man of very noble and warlike appearance striding towards them.