"The Shadow in the Tomb!"
Conan rides again with the Turanian army, a mercenary in the service of King Yildiz. Far from the great capital city Aghrapur, Conan and his comrades battle with the rebel Hill-Tribes on the rocky steppes of the open countryside.
But, on this day, the savages prove to outnumber the Turanian troops, and force them to fall back to the slopes, and through a narrow ravine. There they find a small cave in which to take temporary refuge, and stand-off the hill men.
Suddenly, Hobar, the leader of the rebel force comes forward with a challenge for Captain Malthuz and his Turan raiders; his champion fighter, against their best man, in a fight to the death. If the Turanian’s champion wins, then Hobar and his rebels will retreat and let their foes return to Aghrapur, with no more fighting for the day. And, if the Hill-Tribes man should win, they will attack, and finish the slaughter of the already battered Turan army.
Malthuz accepts the challenge, and prepares to do battle himself, but when the time comes, Conan steps in to take his place.