[2][3] In other versions,[4][5] Ness was brought up by twelve foster-fathers and was originally called Assa ("easy, gentle"), because she was such a pleasure to foster.
Cathbad, who is a leader of a band of fianna (landless warriors) as well as a druid in this version, attacks her foster-fathers' house, killing them all.
[6] Eochaid gives the couple land in Crích Rois (a region covering parts of the modern counties of Louth, Monaghan and Meath), near the river Conchobar.
Here, the father of her child is said to be Fachtna Fáthach, the High King of Ireland, who is Ness's lover in spite of Cathbad.
Cathbad prophesies that if she can wait until the following day before giving birth, her son will share a birthday with Jesus Christ.