Conan and Subotai (friendship and comradeship)

The friendship between Conan and Subotai is the narrative's most enduring and vital bond, a comradeship that begins in a witch's hut and ends only at the parting of their separate roads. It is a relationship built not on shared blood or common origin, but on mutual respect, proven loyalty, and the simple, unshakeable trust that each man will have the other's back when trouble comes. In a world of betrayal and sorcery, their alliance stands as a testament to the power of human connection, a counterpoint to the dark, manipulative bonds of the Cult of Set. From the moment of their first meeting to their final embrace, their friendship is the emotional and practical engine that drives much of the story's action, providing rescue, support, and a shared sense of purpose against overwhelming odds.

Origins in the Witch's Hut

The friendship is born in a moment of shared vulnerability and rescue. Conan, having been ensnared by a witch's enchantment, finds himself in a hut where he encounters a small, ragged man bound and left as bait for wolves. This man, who introduces himself with a dignity that belies his misery, declares, "I am Subotai, a Hyrkanian of the Kerlait tribe. In happier days, an archer, an assassin, and a thief." Conan, studying the Hyrkanian, sees in his lean, ferret-like frame and his set of head and shoulders a reflection of stealth, cunning, and hard-bitten courage. He perceives an honesty he finds to his liking, thinking, here is a man who might throw a lie in your face but would never stab you in the back. This initial assessment proves to be the foundation of their entire relationship. Conan locates the keys and unlocks Subotai's shackles, and the little man, grinning crookedly, staggers toward the open door, rubbing his unshackled limbs. The act of liberation is immediate and unhesitating, establishing a dynamic of mutual aid that will define their partnership.

The Road to Zamora and Shared Adventure

Their bond is quickly cemented by a shared destination and a common philosophy of survival. As they leave the witch's hut behind, Conan states briefly, "I, too, am bound southwards for Zamora." Subotai's response is an invitation that frames their entire relationship: "Then shall we go together? It is good to have a friend at your back when trouble comes." Conan's shrug and question about the road to Zamora are a tacit acceptance, and Subotai's nod confirms the pact. This journey south is the crucible of their friendship, leading them into the lawless depths of the Tower of the Black Serpent. There, in the fetid darkness of a corpse-littered chamber, they face the cult's horrors together. When a great serpent attacks, it is Subotai who tosses Conan his sword, hilt first, enabling the Cimmerian to sever the creature's head. Their teamwork is seamless, a testament to their growing trust. After the escape, their camaraderie extends to the spoils of their adventure. In a tavern, Subotai muses about their future wealth, asking Conan if they shall have "two dukedoms in Aquilonia, two emirates in Turan, or a pair of adjacent satrapies down in Vendhya," a shared dream of reward that binds them as partners in fortune as well as in danger.

The Rescue from the Tree of Woe

The deepest test of their friendship comes after Conan's crucifixion on the Tree of Woe. Left to die, his hands nailed to the wood, Conan is near death when he sees a plume of dust on the horizon that coalesces into the figure of a horseman riding as only a Hyrkanian could ride. It is Subotai, who cries out, "Erlik! What have they done to you?" before leaping from his horse. With shaking hands, Subotai uses a horse-tweezer to extract the nails from Conan's hands, which are swollen to twice their normal size. While Conan bites his lip to stifle his groans, Subotai wrenches and strains until the nails come free, then saws with his dagger at the ropes binding his friend's legs and arms. This act of rescue is not merely physical; it is a profound demonstration of loyalty that transcends fear of the cult's retribution. Subotai's subsequent care is equally telling. He builds a small fire and cooks pieces of broiling vulture meat, feeding Conan because his hands are useless. After the meal, Conan, with his back against the Tree of Woe, falls asleep, trusting his friend to watch over him. This moment of vulnerability and care solidifies their bond as one of true brotherhood.

Comrades in the Final Battle

The friendship reaches its apotheosis in the climactic confrontation with Thulsa Doom. As they prepare for the final assault, their unity is palpable. In the chill of the following dawn, they part from the wizard who had aided them, and the three companions—Conan, Subotai, and Valeria—ride toward the Mountain of Power. Their shared purpose is clear, and their trust in one another is absolute. In the great temple, as Thulsa Doom reveals his serpentine nature, it is Conan who strikes the fatal blow, but the victory is a collective one, built on the foundation of their comradeship. The bond between the two men is so strong that it even survives the aftermath of their triumph. When Conan is offered a place beside the Queen on the throne, Subotai, believing his friend too busy with royal duties, rides off without a word. Conan, however, follows him, catching up with him in the autumn fields. Their reunion is marked by a frank exchange. Subotai admits he thought Conan would be too busy with his "royal duties" to have time for an old comrade-in-arms, and Conan, looking faintly embarrassed, reveals he turned the lady's offer down. This moment underscores that their friendship is more valuable to Conan than a crown.

The Parting and the Promise

The story of their friendship concludes with a parting that is both poignant and defiant. Conan reveals his intention to head "South and west. I'm heading for the sea," while Subotai points "North and east, to my homeland." When Subotai asks if they shall ever meet again, Conan's answer is a promise that defines their bond: "The world is not wide enough to keep such rogues as we apart for long. We shall meet again, but Crom knows where and when." Subotai's laughter and his reply, "If only at the gates of Hell," are met with Conan's call, "Until that day, good fighting!" The two friends embrace, slapping each other's shoulders before swinging into the saddle. When Subotai asks what draws Conan to the south and west, Conan's roar—"Gold, jewels, beautiful women, and fine red wine!"—is a final, characteristic note of their shared, unpretentious worldview. Their friendship, forged in a witch's hut, tested on the Tree of Woe, and proven in the halls of their greatest enemy, ends not with a farewell but with a promise of reunion, a testament to a bond that even the vastness of the world cannot sever.