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But the dog went flying and struck the side of the well. The dog yelped on impact, collapsing on the ground.

"No!" Sétanta yelled. He hadn't meant to hurt the dog, only to spare his arm. It was self-defense... but as Sétanta lowered his hand to the dog's body he felt no rise and fall of the hound's chest. He checked the dog's nostrils—no semblance of breath.

"What is the meaning of this!" a voice shouted from behind Sétanta as he knelt next to the dead dog.

"Culann," Sétanta said, rising to his feet. "My apologies... I didn't mean to harm your dog. He came after me. I thought you'd be expecting me..."

"You are hours late! The King, himself, has already left! Why wouldn't I leave my dog on the prowl?"

Sétanta dropped his head. Had he really missed the entire meal? It had only felt like he'd been telling his tales for an hour, maybe two. But if he'd missed the meal it must've been several hours more. No wonder Culann—a man with a thick frame, a long black beard, and thick hair on his arms and legs—had already retired for the night. "Tell me, Culann. How can I make this error up to you? I regret that I lost track of time."

"I cannot leave my wares unguarded. Until I can replace the hound, perhaps you can serve in his place."

"Me, a guard dog?"

Culann chuckled. "Is it so much a stretch? They say you have the ríastrad... you are a dog of a sort, already, are you not?"

Sétanta bit his tongue. So much for being considered a hero. He was just a dog. And now, he owed the blacksmith compensation for his loss. "Very well," Sétanta said. "I am at your service."

From that day forward the people of Ulster called Sétanta by the name of Cú Chulainn, that is, the hound of Culann. It was only a matter of weeks before Culann replaced his dog—but the nickname stuck If tales were ever to be told of him, Cú Chulainn was the name by which he'd evermore be known... no matter what else he did, no matter how many tales he told as a bard, or battles he might win as a hero, he'd be first remembered as the man who disrespected the Blacksmith, killing his hound.