Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [61]
‘Cathub went to Conchubur, then, and said “Is the boy taking arms?” “He is,” answered Conchubur. “Ill luck, then, for his mother’s son,” said Cathub, but Conchubur replied “Why? Did” you not instruct him to take arms?” “Indeed, I did not,” answered Cathub. Then Conchubur said to Cú Chulaind “Why did you lie to me, sprite?” “No lie, king of the Féni.2 He was instructing his students this morning, and I heard him to the south of Emuin, and thus I came to you,” answered Cú Chulaind. “A good day, then,” said Cathub, “for he who takes arms today will be great and famous –and short-lived.” “Wonderful news that,” answered Cú Chulaind, “for, if I am famous, I will be happy even to live just one day.”
‘The next morning, another pupil asked the druids what that day would be good for. “Anyone who steps into a chariot today,” Cathub replied, “will be known to the Ériu for ever.” When Cú Chulaind heard that, he went to Conchubur and said “Popa Conchubur, a chariot for me!” Conchubur gave him a chariot, but when Cú Chulaind put his hand between the two chariot poles, it broke. He broke twelve chariots that way, so Conchubur’s own chariot was brought for him, and that endured.
‘Cú Chulaind went off in the chariot, taking Conchubur’s charioteer along with him. The charioteer – Ibor was his name – turned the chariot about, saying “Come out of the chariot, now.” But Cú Chulaind replied “The horses are beautiful, and I am beautiful, lad. Take a turn round Emuin with us, and I will reward you.” After that, Cú Chulaind made Ibor take him to say goodbye to the boys, “so that the boys might bless me.” He then entreated the charioteer to return to the road, and when they arrived he said “Put the whip to the horses, now.” “In what direction?” asked Ibor. “As far as the road leads,” Cú Chulaind answered.
‘They went on to Slíab Fúait, where they met Conall Cernach. That day it was Conall’s turn to protect the province – every Ulaid warrior of worth took a turn at Slíab Fúait, protecting those who came with poems, fighting enemies and seeing that no one came to Emuin unannounced. “May you prosper,” said Conall, “and may you be victorious and triumphant.” “Return to the fort, Conall, and leave me here to watch in your place,” said Cú Chulaind. “Well enough that,” said Conall, “for protecting those with poetry, but you are not yet able to fight.” “Perhaps it will not come to that,” said Cú Chulaind. “In any case, let us go to look at the sandbar at Loch nEchtrae, for it is customary for young warriors to rest there.” “Very well,” replied Conall.
‘They started out, but Cú Chulaind cast a stone from his sling and broke Conall’s chariot pole. “Why did you cast that stone, little boy?” asked Conall. “To test my hand and the straightness of my cast,” answered Cú Chulaind. “It is an Ulaid custom not to drive through danger – therefore return to Emuin, popa Conall, and leave me here to watch.” “All right, then,” said Conall, and he did not drive across the plain after that.
‘Cú Chulaind drove off to Loch nEchtrae, then, but he found no one there. Ibor told him they should return to Emuin and drink, but Cú Chulaind replied “By no means. What mountain is that yonder?” “Slíab Monduirn,” Ibor told him. “Let us travel until we reach it,” Cú Chulaind said. They drove to Slíab Monduirn, and when they arrived Cú Chulaind asked “What is that white cairn yonder on the upper part of the mountain?” “Findcharn.” “What is the plain yonder?” “Mag mBreg.” Ibor then told him the name of every major fort between Temuir and Cenandas; moreover, he identified the meadows and fords, the dwellings and illustrious places, the forts and the great heights. He pointed out the fort of the three sons