eBook by Brendan Deneen
Cover by E. M. Gist
From Titan Books, Heroic Signatures & Conan Properties International LLC
Spoilers! Spoilers!
The City of Thieves aka Arenjun, Zamora. Fabian, the leader of the Thieves' Guild gives an eighteen-year-old Conan of Cimmeria a down payment of jewels to meet with the Duchess Amelia (third cousin of King Hadranor of Zamora) and her bodyguard Tomas.
The Duchess wants her stolen family heirloom, the crimson amulet of the demon Nakamar, a gift from the King, back in her possession.
Conan is told to go to a walled mansion surrounded by abysses near the Skarpash Mountains.
Conan surmounts the estate's stone barricade, enters the residence via a servants' door, makes his way to the basement and finds the amulet.
Conan notices that the heirloom is giving off hellish heat, Conan hears the voice of the demon Nakamar asking to be released.
Two older thieves, also sent by Amelia to retrieve the amulet, enter the basement, the barbarian bumps them off both.
A massive beast attacks the Cimmerian, Conan refuses to kill the critter, he only cripples it with his dagger.
Conan stumbles upon the REAL Duchess Amelia! Conan finally understands that he's been running around the summer home of the genuine Duchess.
Conan deals with 3 guards and escapes the Duchess' dwelling.
Bodyguard Tomas ambushes Conan on the edge of a cliffside.
Tomas starts strangling Conan. Conan hears once again the demonic voice of Nakamar asking him to release him. Conan goes for broke and smashes the talisman.
The 9-foot tall crimson-skinned creature, Lord Nakamar appears! Nakamar terminates Tomas.
Nakamar informs Conan that according to his laws, he cannot kill his liberator... today, but that he'll murder his rescuer... later. Distressed, Conan pushes Nakamar off the side of the cliff, the scarlet giant plunges to its death.
Fabian and his lover, the fake Duchess Amelia aka Colette, the high priestess of the Cult of Nakamar are awaiting for the return of Bodyguard Tomas.
An irritated Conan arrives at the rendez-vous. Colette tries to liquidate Conan, Conan kills Colette, Conan beheads Fabian... and the Cimmerian steals their gold.
What I did like:
Ketha (a city on the caravan route from Zamboula to Shadizar from Conan the Invincible) mentioned.
Father of Conan mentioned.
Nakamar's death is thankfully unconfirmed.
Tomas, Amelia, Colette, Fabian and Nakamar are all possible South Park homages.
What I did not like:
Nakamar doesn't mention Yag-kosha or Yara the sorcerer.
I wanted to know more about Nakamar and his Cult.
The editor is not doing his job.
Tobacco use is mentioned for no reason whatsoever.
Conan wants to pull out a sword that he doesn't possess. Twice!
I give it a 7/10. Come on down to Arenjun and meet some "friends" of Conan. Another exciting sequel to The Tower of the Elephant, but it's crammed with too many melees and not enough lore. We need a sequel from Brendan as soon as possible. Oh, and TITAN BOOKS, don't forget, we still need a Heroic Legends Series version of Scott Oden's CONAN: THE DAY OF THE LION (with CONAN: UNCONQUERED as a free bonus)!