But not even a spark could they find; not the light of a rush candle even was to be found in any hall or chamber in the castle. And on every stairway the same story was told, how suddenly light and fire had gone black out. But now the grooms came in with flints and steel and tow. Every one tried to strike a spark, but no spark came for all their striking. And now, all over the castle, there were outbursts of woe: the cooks were lamenting that they would have no fires, and the women were weeping because lights could not be brought them. It was then that King Manus bade his lords stand around laying their hands upon the table. The next thing was that a figure appeared at the doorway. All saw it, for there was a line of faint light around it. It was the figure of a tall man. “Speak,” said King Manus with his hand stretched to the figure. “If you will have me speak,” said the man. “The lights and the fires have been quenched in the castle. How has this come to be?” “It is in the power of an Enchanter of the second degree to quench light and fire,” said the man in the darkness. “Further, King Manus: the fire and light that is extinguished cannot be brought back until the Enchanter lifts his ban.” “Have you come to tell me this?” asked the King. “I have come to make a request of you, King Manus,” said the man in the darkness. Then Anluan, the father of Eean, he whose duty it was to let none that might have a request come face to face with the King, groped around the room that he might place himself before his master. But ere he came to where King Manus stood the man with the line of light around had come so close that he and the King looked into each other’s eyes. “O King,” said the stranger, “I have answered what you asked of me. Now I make my request. It is that the black horse that is in your stable be given to me.” There was a stir in the darkened hall, and then there was an outcry. It was from Anluan, the father of Eean. “O, King Manus, beware of the man who knows of the powers of Enchanters. He may be the one who would ride in chase of Eean, my son!” “He has made a request of me,” said King Manus. “By the open hand of my father, it will have to be granted him.” “It is for the one horse that can follow the others,” Anluan cried. “I have never refused a request! Alas, alas, in one night the three horses that were my pride are taken from me!” “Strike now, and light candle and torch and hearth fire,” said the one who had come amongst them. Flint was struck upon steel; sparks came and made the tow blaze; candle and torch and hearth fire were lighted again. Then all looked at the one who had come amongst them.