The table was set for them upon the lawn before the great painted and glowing palace, and three-footed stools were put on either side of that table, and bright cloths flung over them.  A knight to whom that was a duty brought forth and unfolded a chess-board of ivory on which silver squares alternated with gold, cunningly wrought by some ancient cerd, [Footnote:  Craftsman.] a chief jewel of the realm; another bore in his hand the man-bag, also a wonder, glistening, made of netted wires of findruiney, [Footnote:  A bright yellow bronze, the secret of making which is now lost.  The metal may be seen in our museums.  In beauty it is superior to gold. ] and took therefrom the men and disposed them in their respective places on the board, each in the centre of his own square.  The gold men were on the squares of silver, and the silver on the squares of gold.  The table was set under the shadowing branches of a great tree, for it was early summer and the sun shone in his strength.  So Concobar and Fergus, lightly laughing, affectionate and mirthful, the challenger and the challenged, came forth through the wide doorway of the dun.  Armed youths went with them.  The right arm of Fergus was cast lightly over the shoulder of Concobar, and his ear was inclined to him as the young king talked, for their mutual affection was very great and like that of a great boy and a small boy when such, as often happens, become attached to one another.  So Concobar and Fergus sat down to play, though right seldom did the Champion win any game from the King.  Concobar beckoned to him one of the young knights.  It was Conall Carna, [Footnote:  Conall the Victorious.  He came second to Cuculain amongst the Red Branch Knights.  He is the theme of many heroic stories.  Once in a duel he broke the right arm of his opponent.  He bade his seconds tie up his own corresponding arm.] son of Amargin, youngest of the knights of Concobar.  “Son of Amargin,” said the king, “do thou watch over the boys this day in their pastimes.  See that nothing is done unseemly or unjust.  Observe narrowly the behaviour and disposition of the lads, and report all things clearly to me on the morrow.”

So saying, he moved one of the pieces on the board, and Conall Carna strode away southwards to where the boys were already dividing themselves into two parties for a match at hurling.

That son of Amargin was the handsomest youth of all the province.  White and ruddy was his beardless countenance.  Bright as gold which boils over the edge of the refiner’s crucible was his hair, which fell curling upon his broad shoulders and over the circumference of his shield, outshining its splendour.  By his side hung a short sword with a handle of walrus-tooth; in his left hand he bore two spears tipped with glittering bronze.  Fergus and Concobar watched him as he strode over the grass; Concobar noted his beauty and grace, but Fergus noted his great strength.  Soon the boys, being divided into two equal bands, began their pastime and contended, eagerly urging the ball to and fro.  The noise of the stricken ball and the clash of the hurles shod with bronze, the cries of the captains, and the shouting of the boys, filled all the air.