So they fared on till they had come to the Ridge of the Willows,[70-1] an hour's journey from the palace: and Deirdre, looking upwards in great fear, said to Naisi:--"O Naisi, see yonder cloud in the sky over Emain, a fearful chilling cloud of a blood-red tinge: a baleful red cloud that bodes disaster! Come ye now to Dundalgan and abide there with the mighty hero Cuculainn till Fergus returns from Barach's feast; for I fear Concobar's treachery." [70-1] Irish name _Drum-Sailech_; the ridge on which Armagh was afterwards built. But Naisi answered:--"We cannot follow thy advice, beloved Deirdre, for it would be a mark of fear: and we have no fear." And as they came nigh the palace Deirdre said to them:--"I will now give you a sign if Concobar meditates good or evil. If you are brought into his own mansion where he sits surrounded by his nobles, to eat and drink with him, this is a token that he means no ill; for no man will injure a guest that has partaken of food at his table: but if you are sent to the house of the Red Branch, be sure he is bent on treachery." When at last they arrived at the palace they knocked loudly with the handwood: and the door-keeper swang the great door wide open. And when he had spoken with them he went and told Concobar that the sons of Usna and Fergus's two sons had come, with their people. And Concobar called to him his stewards and attendants and asked them:--"How is it in the house of the Red Branch as to food and drink?" And they replied that if the seven battalions of Ulaid were to come to it they would find enough of all good things "If that is so," said Concobar, "take the sons of Usna and their people to the Red Branch." Even then Deirdre besought them not to enter the Red Branch: for she deemed now that of a certainty there was mischief afoot. But Illan the Fair said:--"Never did we show cowardice or unmanliness, and we shall not do so now." Then she was silent and went with them into the house. And the company, when they had come in, sat them down so that they filled the great hall: and alluring viands and delicious drinks were set before them: and they ate and drank till they became satisfied and cheerful: all except Deirdre and the Sons of Usna, who did not partake much of food or drink. And Naisi asked for the king's chessboard and chessmen; which were brought: and he and Deirdre began to play. XIV. TROUBLE LOOMING. Let us now speak of Concobar. As he sat among his nobles, the thought of Deirdre came into his mind, and he said:--"Who among you will go to the Red Branch and bring me tidings of Deirdre, whether her youthful shape and looks still live upon her: for if so there is not on the ridge of the world a woman more beautiful." And Lavarcam said she would go.