“We will go now to Easal, the King of the Golden Pillars,” said Brian, “to look for the seven pigs the Ildanach bade us bring him.”

They sailed on then without delay or drawback to that high country.  And it is the way the people of that country were, watching their harbours for fear of the sons of Tuireann, for the story of them had been told in all parts, how they had been sent out of Ireland by force, and how they were bringing away with them all the gifted treasures of the whole world.

Easal came to the edge of the harbour to meet them, and he asked was it true what he heard, that the king of every country they had gone to had fallen by them.  Brian said it was true, whatever he might wish to do to them for it.  “What was it made you do that?” said Easal.  Brian told him then it was the oppression and the hard sentence of another had put them to it; and he told him all that had happened, and how they had put down all that offered to stand against them until that time.

“What did you come to this country now for?” said the king.  “For the pigs belonging to yourself,” said Brian; “for to bring them away with us is a part of the fine.”  “What way do you think to get them?” said the king.  “If we get them with good-will,” said Brian, “we are ready to take them thankfully; and if we do not, we are ready to do battle with yourself and your people on the head of them, that you may fall by us, and we may bring away the pigs in spite of you.”  “If that is to be the end of it,” said the king, “it would be a pity to bring my people into a battle.”  “It would be a pity indeed,” said Brian.

Then the king whispered and took advice with his people about the matter, and it is what they agreed, to give up the pigs of their own free will to the sons of Tuireann, since they could not see that any one had been able to stand against them up to that time.

Then the sons of Tuireann gave their thanks to Easal, and there was wonder on them to have got the pigs like that, when they had to fight for every other part of the fine.  And more than that, they had left a share of their blood in every other place till then.

Easal brought them to his own house that night, and they were served with food, and drink, and good beds, and all they could wish for.  And they rose up on the morrow and came into the king’s presence, and the pigs were given to them.  “It is well you have done by us, giving us these pigs,” said Brian, “for we did not get any share of the fine without fighting but these alone.”  And he made a poem for the king then, praising him, and putting a great name on him for what he had done.

“What journey are you going to make now, sons of Tuireann?” said Easal.  “We are going,” they said, “to the country of Ioruaidh, on account of a whelp that is there.”  “Give me one request,” said Easal, “and that is to bring me with you to the King of Ioruaidh, for a daughter of mine is his wife, and I would wish to persuade him to give you the whelp without a battle.”  “That will please us well,” they said.