With El Borak Savage Sword has outdone itself once again. There are other great tales in this collection deserving mention, but El Borak is really outstanding.
Another treasure is Dark Agnes, Part Two. We see the reincarnation of Red Sonja in Dark Agnes with her swift sword and sharp tongue. She becomes a legend to damsels in distress and a savage sword for the men that take advantage of innocence.
Howard was not only an adventure writer but also a good story teller of many other genre including boxing. In Sailor Steve Costigan we have a marvel of a boxing story for those that did not know this side of Howard's writing.
The curses of Moll Farrell resound across time as a warning to those that would perpetrate injustices to the fair sex. Howard is at his best when cheering for the underdog and this story measures up well.
Niorn Worm's Bane is the proto-Conan or as Howard states "the racial memory" for all those heroes of western mythology that had to slay dragons to overcome what ever struggle they are challenged with. The presence of Long-Tooth makes this story a memorable one. This being one of the longest treatments in this collection deserves special mention as it also shows us how Howard dealt with friendship born of courage and struggle. Noirn has a companion Pict much like another of his creations, Kull. The interactions between these two characters is repeated not only in Kull. but also in the many tales of Conan. It is the mastery of this characterization that makes Howard a formidable story teller.
Conan's Jewels of Hesterm, Part Two is where Conan finds that not all treasure are made of gold or emeralds and that not all treasures need be wanted by thieves and barbarians.
Can't wait till the next installment.