Read "Becuma of the White Skin" by James Stephens online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
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.