Then spake one among them, 'Right gladly we go, but who can bring to thee
Nathos, if it be not his will?'

'He who loves me most,' answered the King, 'he it is that will fail not to
bring with him the exiled heroes.'

And after the feast the King drew aside a warrior prince, and spake thus:
'Were I to send thee to Alba to the sons of Usna, and if at my command
thou didst see them slain before thee, what then wouldst thou do?'

'Then, O King, would I slay those who did the monstrous deed, even were it
at thy command.'

Again the King called to him a warrior prince. To him he spake as to the
first. And this prince made answer, 'If by thy command I saw the sons of
Usna lie dead before me, then woe be upon thee, for with mine own hand
should I take thy life.'

Then spake the King likewise to Fergus, and Fergus answered, 'Let what may
befall the sons of Usna, never shall my hand be lifted against the King.'

'To thee, good Fergus, do I intrust this thing. Go thou to Alba and bring
hither with thee Nathos, and Ailne, and Ardan. And when thou art come
again to Erin, keep thou thy bond to feast at the house of Borrach, but
the three sons of Usna send thou straightway hither.'

So it was that on the morrow Fergus set sail in a black barge for Alba,
taking with him but his two sons and a steersman.