Chapter 7
On reaching the palace Conn called his magicians and poets to a
council and informed them that he had found the boy they sought—the
son of a virgin. These learned people consulted together, and they
stated that the young man must be killed, and that his blood should
be mixed with the earth of Tara and sprinkled under the withered
trees.
When Segda heard this he was astonished and defiant; then,
seeing that he was alone and without prospect of succour, he grew
downcast and was in great fear for his life. But remembering the
safeguards under which he had been placed, he enumerated these to
the assembly, and called on the High King to grant him the
protections that were his due.
Conn was greatly perturbed, but, as in duty bound, he placed the
boy under the various prot
