And as he thus gazed he was aware of a young warrior standing by his side.

Grey-eyed the youth was, and golden-haired, and he was splendidly armed and apparelled as beseemed the lord of a great clan of the Gael.

Eochy bade him welcome courteously, and asked him of the cause of his coming.

"I am come," he said, "to play a game of chess with thee, O King, for thou art renowned for thy skill in that game, and to test that skill am I come.
And my name is Midir, of the People of Dana, whom they have called The Proud." "Willingly," said the King; "but I have here no chessboard, and mine is in the chamber where the Queen is sleeping." "That is easily remedied," said Midir, and he drew from his cloak a folding chessboard whose squares were alternate gold and silver.

From a men-bag made of brazen chainwork he drew out a set of men adorned with flashing jewels, and he set them in array.
"I will not play," then said Eochy, "unless we play for a stake." "For what stake shall we play, then ?" said Midir.
"I care not," said Eochy; "but do thou perform tasks for me if I win and I shall bestow of my treasures upon thee if I lose." So they played a game, and Eochy won.