*

…“How should these mighty men of war be greeted?” said Very-White…

Said Sweet-Mouthed Maeve, “women to meet them, bonnie, full-breasted and bare, with strong ale, well malted, their food, not scanty but fare.”

*

So the heroes of Albion were bathed, fed and entertained, each in their separate compartments.

When sated and fully rested, Very-White went to each of them in turn in order to discover the reason for their visit.

She returned to Maeve and said, “The men of Albion are contending over the Champion’s Portion, in the mead house of King Grim-Gaze the slug-man. They have agreed to abide by your judgement in the matter.”

Maeve’s honeyed lips curved into an inscrutable smile, “Have them perform the wheel feat of the youths in the morning,” she said.

*

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