Now upon another time it chanced that Eochaid Airemm, the king of Tara, arose upon a certain fair day in the time of summer; and he ascended the high ground of Tara to behold the plain of Breg; beautiful was the colour of that plain, and there was upon it excellent blossom, glowing with all hues that are known.  And, as the aforesaid Eochaid looked about and around him, he saw a young strange warrior upon the high ground at his side.  The tunic that the warrior wore was purple in colour, his hair was of a golden yellow, and of such length that it reached to the edge of his shoulders.  The eyes of the young warrior were lustrous and grey; in the one hand he held a five-pointed spear, in the other a shield with a white central boss, and with gems of gold upon it.  And Eochaid held his peace, for he knew that none such had been in Tara on the night before, and the gate that led into the Liss had not at that hour been thrown open.

The warrior came, and placed himself under the protection of Eochaid; and “Welcome do I give,” said Eochaid, “to the hero who is yet unknown.”

“Thy reception is such as I expected when I came,” said the warrior.

“We know thee not,” answered Eochaid.

“Yet thee in truth I know well!” he replied.

“What is the name by which thou art called?” said Eochaid.

“My name is not known to renown,” said the warrior; “I am Mider of Bri Leith.”

“And for what purpose art thou come?” said Eochaid.

“I have come that I may play a game at the chess with thee,” answered Mider.  “Truly,” said Eochaid, “I myself am skilful at the chess-play.”

“Let us test that skill! said Mider.

“Nay,” said Eochaid, the queen is even now in her sleep; and hers is the palace in which the chessboard lies.”

“I have here with me,” said Mider, “a chessboard which is not inferior to thine.”  It was even as he said, for that chessboard was silver, and the men to play with were gold; and upon that board were costly stones, casting their light on every side, and the bag that held the men was of woven chains of brass.

Mider then set out the chessboard, and he called upon Eochaid to play.  “I will not play,” said Eochaid, “unless we play for a stake.”

“What stake shall we have upon the game then?” said Mider.

“It is indifferent to me,” said Eochaid.

“Then,” said Mider, “if thou dost obtain the forfeit of my stake, I will bestow on thee fifty steeds of a dark grey, their heads of a blood-red colour, but dappled; their ears pricked high, and their chests broad; their nostrils wide, and their hoofs slender; great is their strength, and they are keen like a whetted edge; eager are they, high-standing, and spirited, yet easily stopped in their course.”