From Slave to Slayer

The physical and spiritual transformation of Conan from a captive child into a free warrior who chooses his own horizon.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Wheel of Pain

The Wheel of Pain Conan enters the mill as a child and leaves it as a young giant. The Grinding Years Day after day he pushes the great wheel, watching other slaves sicken and die. The monotonous toil strips away feeling and leaves a core of rage. The Lone Turner When plague thins the slaves, Conan alone keeps the wheel moving, and the marvel of his strength begins to spread through Vanaheim.

First Blood in the Pit

First Blood in the Pit Toghrul sells Conan's strength to the bloodlust of Nordheim. The Drug-Maddened Foe The giant Kushite Junga springs at Conan with fangs and claws. Conan uses the massive strength built on the wheel to throw him and break his neck. The Roar of the Crowd The chieftains shower him with gold, and Conan learns that killing can feel like a kind of freedom.

Freedom at Kolari

Freedom at Kolari An earthquake splits the hill where Conan is kept in a cave-prison. The Master Dies Toghrul begs Conan to pull him from a crack in the earth, but Conan laughs and leaves him to the closing ground. The Free Walk South Blanketed by a dead Hyrkanian's gear, Conan turns south, owning nothing and owing nothing.

The Wandering South

The Wandering South Conan crosses the steppe with his new companion Subotai, the two of them living on fish and small game. The Gods Discussed Around a fire they debate Crom and the Four Winds, and Conan reveals the hard creed of his northern gods. The City of Thieves They reach Shadizar, where Conan will turn from man-slayer to thief and find both treasure and the trail of Doom.

The Self-Determined Road

The Self-Determined Road Zamora offers Conan a crown and a queen; he chooses the open road. The Final Embrace He rides out to find Subotai and says that his kingdom must be earned by steel, not given as a dowry. Two Horizons Subotai heads north and east; Conan heads south and west, seeking gold, women, wine, and the next shape of his fate.

during Conan's years at Thrudvang

at the Pit in Skaun

during the Kolari earthquake

after the witch's death and the meeting with Subotai

after the final beheading and the offer of the throne