In his heart was no guile, only indomitable valour and
truth and loyalty and sweet affection. He had never known woman
save in the way of courtesy. The very trees and rocks and stones
seemed to watch him as he passed.
Then suddenly and unawares an ice-cold air struck chill into his
inmost being, the bright earth was obscured and the sun grew dark
in the heavens and menacing voices were heard and horrid forms of
evil, monstrous, not to be described, came against him, and they
bade him return as he had come or they would tear him limb from
limb in that forest. Yet the son of Usna was by no means dismayed,
only he flushed with wrath and scorn and he drew his sword and
went on against the phantoms. In truth Naysi was at that moment
passing through the zone of terror which the Ultonian Druids had
shed around the dun where Deirdre was immured. The phantoms gave
way before him and Naysi passed beyond the zone. "Surely," he
said, "there is some chief jewel of the jewels of the world
preserved in this place."
He came to an opening in the forest. Beyond it there was a great
space which was cleared and girt all round by trees.
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