Part 10 (1/2)
The Fomorian chiefs thought well of this proposal, and it was agreed to.
So the s.h.i.+ps were got ready for Bres; abundant food and drink and war stores were put into them, their seams were calked with pitch, and they were filled with sweet-smelling frankincense. Meantime the two Luaths, that is to say, Luath the Story-teller and Luath of the Long Body, were sent all over Lochlann to summon the army. And when all the fighting men were gathered together, they arrayed themselves in their battle-dresses, prepared their arms, and set out for Erin.
Balor went with them to the harbour where they were to embark, and when they were about to go on board, he said to them--
”Give battle to the Ildana, and cut off his head. And after ye have overcome him and his people, put your cables round this island of Erin, which gives us so much trouble, and tie it at the sterns of your s.h.i.+ps: then sail home, bringing the island with you, and place it on the north side of Lochlann, whither none of the Dedannans will ever follow it.”
Then, having hoisted their many-coloured sails and loosed their moorings, they sailed forth from the harbour into the great sea, and never slackened speed or turned aside from their course till they reached the harbour of Eas-Dara.[x.x.xI.] And as soon as they landed, they sent forth an army through West Connaught, which wasted and spoiled the whole province.
FOOTNOTES:
[XXIX.] The Hill of Usna, in the parish of Conry, in Westmeath, one of the royal residences of Ireland.
[x.x.x.] Luga of the Long Arms is often called The Ildana, _i.e._ the Man of many sciences, to signify his various accomplishments.
CHAPTER II.
THE MURDER OF KIAN.
Now the king of Connaught at that time was Bove Derg, the son of the Dagda,[x.x.xII.] a friend to Luga of the Long Arms. It chanced that Luga was then at Tara,[x.x.xIII.] and news was brought to him that the Fomorians had landed at Eas-Dara, and were spoiling and wasting the province. He immediately got ready his steed, Enbarr of the Flowing Mane; and early in the morning, when the point of night met the day, he went to the king and told him that the foreigners had landed, and that they had wasted and plundered the province of Bove Derg.
”I shall give them battle,” said Luga; ”and I wish to get from thee some help of men and arms.”
”I will give no help,” said the king; ”for I do not wish to avenge a deed that has not been done against myself.”
When Luga heard this reply he was wroth, and departing straightway from Tara, he rode westward. He had not travelled long when he saw at a distance three warriors, fully armed, riding towards him. Now these were three brothers, the sons of Canta; namely, Kian and Cu and Kethen; and Kian was Luga's father. And they saluted each other, and conversed together for a time.
”Why art thou abroad so early?” said they.
”Cause enough have I,” replied Luga; ”for the Fomorians have landed in Erin, and have wasted the province of Bove Derg, the son of the Dagda.
It is well indeed that I have met you, for I am about to give them battle, and I wish now to know what aid I shall get from you.”
”We will go into the battle with you,” said they; ”and each of us will ward off from you a hundred of the Fomorian warriors.”
”That, indeed, is good help,” said Luga; ”but, for the present, I wish you to go to the several places throughout Erin where the Fairy Host[x.x.xIV.] are abiding, and summon them all to me.”
The three brothers accordingly separated, Cu and Kethen going south, while Luga's father, Kian, turned his face northwards, and rode on till he came to Moy Murthemna.[x.x.xV.] He had not been long travelling over the plain when he saw three warriors, clad in armour and fully armed, coming towards him. These were three Dedannan chiefs, the sons of Turenn, and their names were Brian, Ur, and Urcar. Now these three and the three sons of Canta were at deadly feud with each other, on account of an old quarrel, and whenever they met there was sure to be a fight for life or death.
As soon as Kian saw these three, he said, ”If my two brothers were now with me, we should have a brave fight; but as they are not, and as I am only one against three, it is better to avoid the combat.” So saying, he looked round, and seeing near him a herd of swine he struck himself with a golden druidical[3] wand, and changed himself into a pig; and he quickly joined the herd.
No sooner had he done so than Brian, the eldest of the sons of Turenn, said to his brothers, ”Tell me, my brothers, do you know what has become of the warrior that we saw just now approaching us on the plain?”
”We saw him,” said they, ”but we know not whither he has gone.”
”You deserve great blame,” said he, ”that you are not more watchful while traversing the country during this time of war. Now I know what has happened to this warrior; he has changed himself, by a druidical spell, into a pig; and he is now among yonder herd. And whoever he may be, of this be sure--he is no friend of ours.”