VIII - IX Summary

VIII. Medb finds the prized bull in the district of Cuib. Cuchulainn follows her, and slays the shepherd responsible for bringing the bull back, Buide. Nevertheless the bull falls into Medb's hands. Ailill hatches a plan to seize Cuchulainn's javelin from him, sending a "satirist" for the task, but Cuchulainn kills the man with a javelin in the head, which is humorously referred to as the "Overwhelming Gift." Medb meanwhile passes through lands, devastating them with her army.

The pact to send one man a day to fight Cuchulainn is still in effect. A man named Cur chooses to face the hero, and like others hesitates to fight a beardless boy. Nevertheless Cur attacks Cuchulainn, who is practicing his martial arts and fighting stances to such a degree he doesn't even realize Cur is attacking him. When another man...