The Slaying of Nathcrantail Summary

A warrior named Nathcrantail goes next to fight Cuchulain. He carves nine darts from holly wood to throw at Cuchulain. The warrior leaps over each of Nathcrantail's darts, and suddenly, a flock of birds is startled and flies away. As Cuchulain has nothing to eat in the forest except wild fowl and fish, he runs after the birds to hunt his dinner. Nathcrantail takes this as a sign that Cuchulain is fleeing battle. He goes back and reports the cowardice to Medb.

Fergus hears this news of Cuchulain's cowardice and sends Fiachu to tell Cuchulain it is better to go into hiding than be caught running from battle. Cuchulain is shocked that his actions were thus interpreted. He reminds Fiachu that he will not battle an unarmed man, and Nathcrantail was unarmed after throwing his darts. He...