The King's Commission

Osric's plea to three thieves to redeem his daughter from the serpent cult, and the winding road that turns a royal mission into a revolution.

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The King's Arrest

The King's Arrest Soldiers surround Conan, Valeria, and Subotai in a Shadizar tavern and drag them toward the palace. The Captive Walk The companions expect execution. They are marched through a palace of faded splendor that smells of rot. The Unexpected Pardon King Osric denounces the serpent priests, praises the thieves for humiliating Yaro, and pours wine for the gutter-sweepings who dared to strike back.

A Father's Commission

A Father's Commission Osric reveals that his daughter Yasimina has been stolen by the cult of Set and follows Thulsa Doom. The Royal Plea He orders the thieves to bring her back from the Mountain of Power, scattering gems at their feet as earnest. Conan's Counter-Oath Conan sees the mission as a chance to settle his own blood-debt. He accepts, telling Osric that he will kill Doom or die in the attempt.

The Ride for the Mountain

The Ride for the Mountain Conan rides east alone, leaving behind Valeria's plea that they abandon the quest and live rich and free. The Pilgrim Road He passes columns of drugged pilgrims, each one chanting toward the Mountain of Power. An old peasant tells him that many go but none return. The Buried Kings At the shores of the Vilayet Sea he discovers the burial mounds and a ragged wizard who becomes his strange ally.

The Rescue

The Rescue Conan, Valeria, and Subotai enter the Mountain through a hidden gorge and reach the drugged pleasure chamber. The Father's Sword Conan sees his father's blade hanging behind Thulsa Doom and seizes it. Valeria drags the screaming princess away while the pavilion catches fire. Rexor Interrupted Rexor blocks the stairs, but in the burning chaos the cultist is crushed beneath a falling pillar. The raiders escape with Yasimina.

The New Queen

The New Queen With Doom dead, Conan tells Yasimina it is time to return her to Zamora. The King is Dead A messenger reveals that Osric was murdered by Yaro's servants. Yasimina is now queen of a land broken by the cult. A Crown Refused Yasimina offers Conan a place beside her on the throne. He refuses, saying that when he wears a crown it must be won by his own sword.

after the Tower of the Black Serpent robbery

during the night audience in the Zamoran palace

the morning after Conan leaves Shadizar

inside Doom's pleasure pavilion

after the fall of Thulsa Doom