accepted her bribes and deserted Oilill's army. Single handed combat followed between the troops of Queen Maedbh and the Gamhanraidh. Despite their losses, the Erris warriors won most of the combats and Maedbh was devastated once again when three of her closest fosterlings lost their lives. Oilill and his entire household, except for Flidhais, went up the ramparts of the fortress at Rathmorgan to monitor the situation below, leaving Fergus and the other prisoners alone with Flidhais in the fort. During this time Fergus and Flidhais hatched a treacherous plot so that they could be together. When Oilill returned, Flidhais gave him a strong drink and she continued to ply him with drink until he was well and truly intoxicated. When he was lying unconscious, Flidhais sent a message to Maedbh's troops to launch an attack on the fort. Oilill was unable to defend the fort and the prisoners inside the fort were released. Once Fergus had his freedom, he was determined to get his own back on Oilill for his ill-treatment while he had been held prisoner. A bloody battle ensued and eventually Oilill and his remaining troops retreated behind the walls of the Rathmorgan fort. His Gamhanriadh army now numbered only 97 individuals. The treachery of Chiortán from Dún Chiortáin As morning dawned, the troops mustered again and the Gamhanriadh decided to make a break for Trá Chinn Chiortain, close to Inver on the east shore of Broadhaven Bay, in Kilcommon. The chieftain of the peninsula, Ciortán, from Dún Chiortáin in Glengad, assured Oilill that he would have his swiftest ship ready and waiting to take them safely out to sea away from the Cruachan invaders. When Queen Maedbh's troops discovered the fort at Dún Flidhais deserted, they pursued their prey up the shores of Carrowmore Lake into Inver and Ciortán's waiting boat. However, when Chiortain saw them coming he pulled his boat out of the harbour, leaving Oilill stranded on the shoreline. Oilill had forgotten that Chiortain still held a grudge against him for seducing his wife some time previously. Despite the pleas of Oilill for Chiortan to help him, Chiortan refused to come back into the shore and took his boat out further into Broadhaven Bay, The furious Oilill placed a large rock into his slingshot and fired it at Chiortain's boat. The deadly aim struck Chiortain in the neck and such was the force that