lking on the orchard
paths, and when she came to the gate she walked no further but stood
with Flann at the gate. "A kiss for you, Flann, my treasure-bringer,"
said she, and she kissed him and then went hurrying away. And as Flann
watched her he thought that although she had kissed him he was not now
in her mind.

He went out of the orchard disconsolate, thinking that when he was on
his seven years' service with Mogue Princess Flame-of-Wine might forget
him. As he walked on he passed the little house where the Spae-Woman had
her besoms and heather-stalks. She ran to him when she saw him.

"Have you heard that the King's Son has found what went before, and what
comes after the Unique Tale?" said she.

"That I have. And I have to go to the Hags of the Long Teeth to find out
who my father and mother were, for surely I am the child who was taken
from Sheen."

"And do you remember that Sheen's seven brothers were changed into seven
wild geese?" said she.

"I remember that, mother."

"And seven wild geese they will be until a maiden who loves you will
give seven drops of her heart's blood to bring them back to their human
shapes."

"I remember that, mother." "Whatever maid you love, her you must ask
if she would give seven drops of her heart's blood. It may be that she
would. It may be that she would not and that you would still love her
without thought of her giving one drop of blood of her little finger."

"I cannot ask the maiden I love to give seven drops of her heart's
blood."

"Who is the maiden you love?"

"The King's daughter, Flame-of-Wine."

He told the Spae-Woman about the presents he had given her--he told
the Spae-Woman too that he had bound himself to seven years' service
to Mogue on account of these presents. The Spae-Woman said, "What other
treasures are in Mogue's pack?"

"One treasure more the Girdle of Truth. Whoever puts it on can speak
nothing but the truth."

Said the Spae-Woman, "You are to take the Girdle of Truth and give it
to Flame-of-Wine. Tell Mogue that I said he is to give it to you without
adding one day to your years' service. When Flame-of-Wine has put the
girdle around her waist ask her for the seven drops of heart's blood
that will bring your mother's seven brothers back to their human shapes.
She may love you and yet refuse to give you the seven drops from her
heart. But tell her of this, and hear what she will say."

Flann left the Spae-Woman's and went back to Mogue's