Finn and his companions had waited but a short time after Dermot had
disappeared over the cliff. The lad, Keen-Sight, had kept quiet until
Dermot was out of sight. Then he turned to the Fenians and said:
“Though the horse and men went in here, I think I can find you a harbor
which will lead us to the same place.”
“That you should have told us before Dermot left,” said Finn.
Keen-Sight made no reply.
“Well, it does not matter,” said Finn. “Guide us to the harbor. Dermot
will be safe and will find us later.”
Again the men bent to their oars and rowed in the direction given by
Keen-Sight. Some days later they came to a broad harbor in which a
thousand ships like theirs could have anchored. The Fenians made fast
the boat and sprang ashore. Still guided by Keen-Sight, they journeyed a
short distance toward the interior of the country.
Suddenly a large army appeared, coming toward them. The Fenians drew up
in battle array, but Finn told them to have no fear.
“For,” he explained, “do you not see Dermot in the lead? It is easy to
see that he is not a prisoner.”
When Dermot saw his friends, he let out a loud shout of joy and hastened
to meet them. The Knight of Valor came up and extended a welcome to the
Fenians.
“We are in pursuit of the man who calls himself the Worthless Servant,”
said Finn. “Can you give us directions for finding him?”
“I can do that,” said the Knight of Valor. “We are now but a short
distance from his palace.”
Then they all fell in together and walked on until they saw before them
a handsome castle.
“It is here the man lives,” said the Knight of Valor. “He is really the
king of a large country, but took the shape you saw him in to enlist
your aid.”
The Knight of Valor raised his voice and gave a loud cry. Soon the gates
of the castle opened. Out came the ugly old giant followed by his horse.
On its back still rode the fourteen Fenians, while the fifteenth still
clung to its tail.
“Have you been like that ever since you left us?” asked Finn, when the
horse approached near enough for the men to hear his voice.
“We have not,” answered Conan. He and the others slipped off the horse’s
back and came to greet their comrades. “We have been treated like kings.
We merely came out in state so that you might not forget how we
arrived.”
“Your pardon, O Finn,” said a voice.
Finn looked at the spot where the giant had been standing, but saw a
strong young champion in his stead. “I am Avarta, ruler of this land. If
I played the part of the Worthless Servant, it was to bring here enough
Fenians to give us help in the hour of need. My messengers have informed
me that the High King of the World is about to attack us. Without your
help I would be defeated; with it I shall conquer.”
“Why did you not request my help, if you needed it, instead of taking
away my men and forcing me to come after them?” asked Finn.
“Had I asked you to come to a far country to fight, you would have
refused. You would have told me that it was your duty to remain in Erin
to defend it,” said Avarta. “But I did know that you would not refuse to
come to rescue your own men, and that you would help if you were here.”
“It is true,” said Finn. “I hold no hard feelings against you. My men
and myself will do our part against the High King of the World.”
Then the leaders went into the banquet hall of the castle. The other
warriors were quartered in the spacious courtyard. Avarta caused
everything in his power to be done for their comfort. For a day and two
nights they feasted, rested and waited for the arrival of the enemy.