CHAPTER VI
As they approached harbour they noticed a band waiting at the landing-place, and these people raised mighty cheers as the ship swung.
“That man!” said Fergus, indicating one who stood apart and issued commands. “I surely know that man! It is Borach,” he laughed. “It is the man who feeds people on sharks,” and he explained to his party all that he had heard of Borach at the banquet.
“The gods be praised,” he murmured, “we cannot wait for his feast even if he offers it.”
When they landed Borach ran to meet them. He kissed Fergus three times, and he kissed each of the others also.
“Welcome to this land,” he said; “all Ireland welcomes you.”
He looked with his black, deep-set peep at Deirdre and kissed her, but when she looked at him he turned aside.
He was ill at ease, and all his movements were self-conscious and unhappy. He turned, almost truculently, to Fergus.
“Fergus,” he said, “I am honoured to see you in my lordship.”
“You are kind,” said Fergus, “and I shall bind you to visit me in mine.”
“I am so delighted,” Borach continued hastily, “that I have prepared a feast for you, such as is only offered to a king.”
“The king did say,” Fergus rumbled joyfully, “that you had a feast ready for him.”
“That is the feast I am offering to you,” said Borach.
“What?” cried the giant.
“The king has notified me that he cannot come to my banquet, so I am offering it to you instead.”
Fergus stared at him.
“You were present, and you heard Conachúr’s instructions that there should be no delay on this journey. I shall come and feast with you another time, my dear.”
“I insist that you stay and feast with me for one week,” Borach growled.
“You insist!” he murmured in astonishment.
“I invoke your geasa,” said the other stubbornly. “You must remain with me for a week.”
At that Fergus became one purple mass from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, and his face swelled so that the bystanders feared he would burst with the excess and violence of his rage. Borach was nervous, but his own men were around him, and although he was terrified of Fergus he was yet more frightened of the king.
“I insist,” he shouted, “and you cannot refuse a feast that is offered to you kindly.”
“This is a trick,” said Fergus. “You know my oath; you listened to it, for the king made me swear in your very presence, that, was it by day or by night, I should speed the sons of Uisneac to him from the moment we landed. And you offer me a feast and a week’s delay! What dog’s deed do you intend, you Borach? Do you not value your life?” he roared.
“I value my life indeed,” Borach replied, “and”—looking round on his attendants—“and I shall take great care of it. I hold you to the feast, Fergus.”
“Come apart with me,” said the bewildered giant to his companions, “and let us discuss this wonder.”
“What ought we to do?” he asked.
“It seems that you must make a choice,” said Deirdre timidly.
“What choice is there, sweet queen?”
“You have to choose whether you will forsake the feast or forsake us,” she murmured.
Her heart swelled as she spoke, so that her voice was not steady, for she was astonished and unhappy and her mind was bewildered.
“In truth I must leave one or the other,” said Fergus.
Naoise and his brothers stared at the fogged noble.
“Dear champion,” she pleaded, “it would be more fitting to leave the feast, but it would not be right to leave us in the middle of our enemies.”
“But I cannot leave a feast,” Fergusexplained, “for that is my compact with the gods. One cannot break his geasa.”
They stared at him and at one another in consternation.
“Whatever is in his mind, this Borach will not release me from the eating of his accursed sharks,” Fergus continued wrathfully. “Eat them I must, but I shall leave my sons with you, and they will protect you on the road to Emain.”
“By my hand,” said Naoise, “you are doing a great deal for us! The protection we seek is that of your name and fame and station. Any other protection we do not value, for we are well used to taking care of ourselves.”
“But——” said Fergus.
“We did not come here under your weapons,” said Naoise, “we came under your guarantee.”
“You mistake me,” said Fergus mildly. “My sons carry my guarantee, and with them you will be as secure as though I were present.”
He turned to Rough-Red Buinne and Iollann the Fair.
“Is not that so?”
“It is so,” said Buinne.
“The Council of All Ireland would not tolerate the breaking of this notable surety,” said Iollann. “It is known now through the whole country.”
“And what man would dare to break my guarantee?” Fergus inquired.
Naoise bit his lip.
“Let us go on,” said he.
He turned his level gaze on Fergus’ sons.
“You are our guarantors,” he said, “and we accept your protection.”
They returned to where the black-avised chieftain was waiting, and him Fergus stared and out-stared until he was reduced to a mass of unhappiness.
“I shall eat sharks because I must, Borach,” he thundered.
“What sharks are you talking about?” said Borach.
“Lead me to your miseries of the deep,” said Fergus, “but do not talk to me about them.”