Item Biography
"Chapter One: The Hour of the Dragon"
King Conan of Aquilonia sleeps uneasy, and it is well, as forces ally against him in nearby Nemedia. Amalric has banded together with others, and with the help of the mystic gem, the Heart of Ahriman, they ressurect the ancient sorceror Xaltotun of Acheron. They seek to use Xaltotun's power to grab the crown of Nemedia for Tarascus and that of Aquilonia for Valerius. 12 pages.
"Chapter Two: The Stranger from Hell!"
King Conan camps on the field of battle, where his Aquilonian army has squared off against the forces of the Tarascus, the new King Nemedian. Conan's fevered dreams are stalked by the image robed figure. Upon waking, Conan meets him, Xaltotun, who by laying hands on Conan, paralyzes him. Desperate, the find a body double, who will meet the Nemedian army in Conan's sted. 8 pages.
"Chapter Three: When Mountains Reel!"
Conan's body double leads the charge, only to be killed in battle. Conan is taken prisoner by Xaltotun and Tarascus, who let all think that King Conan is now dead. 6 pages.
"The Twilight of the Grim Grey God!"
Conan escapes after being imprisoned by slave traders in Hyborea, and steals into the nighttime hills. He finds a dark stranger who knows more about him than he should, and who muses over the ongoing battle between Hyborea and Brythunia. Conan is wary and challenges him, only to find that he is one of the gods. The Grey God calls the Valkyries to gather the dead from the battle and goes on about his business. Conan departs and meets a Brythunian, and joins him, as he is keen to spill Hyborean blood. Elsewhere, the bride of the Hyborean Warlord secretly trysts with the Brythunian commander. She presses a plan where the commander will betray the Brythunians in the coming battle for gold and her continued affection. In a story about betrayal, valor, and fate, death stalks about every corner. At the conclusion, Conan sees the Grey God, and understands that he is Borri, the Northern God of War, whose time in this world has passed.
- Reprinted from Conan the Barbarian (1970)#3, with recolored artwork by Barry Windsor-Smith. 19 pages.