Conan the Barbarian 174

Major Characters

 * Conan (Previous appearance in CB-173; next appearance in CB-175).

Minor Characters

 * Tetra (Previous appearance in CB-173; next appearance in CB-175).
 * Delmurio (Previous appearance in CB-173; next appearance in CB-175).
 * Santiar (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue). Zingaran prince
 * Barabbus (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue). Aquilonian field marshal
 * Aldo (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue). Zingaran general

Locations

 * Zingara, in the outskirts and the city of Sadoria

Time Frame

 * Several days

Synopsis
A boy watches Conan, Tetra, and Delmurio ride through a Zingaran field and reports to Santiar, young leader of a group of scavenging children. As Delmurio surveys the bones and blood on the ground, he explains how the land is rocked with civil war, and they are beset upon by the children. While Delmurio wants to respond lethally, Conan stays his hand, not wanting to harm children. The skirmish is ended by a peacekeeping Aquilonian unit led by Barabbus. Conan notices Tetra has vanished and goes to find her, while Delmurio returns with the soldiers to be debriefed. He is told by Barabbus that in putting down the insurrection, all males above five were executed, but several fled to the forests. He brings Delmurio to General Aldo, and when Barabbus leaves, Delmurio demands to know why the Aquilonians, ostensibly the hired help, seem to be in charge. Aldo reveals that the Aquilonians have for all intents and purposes seized power and he is merely a figurehead, and Delmurio invites Aldo on his treasure quest, not realizing Delmurio is listening in. Meanwhile, in the forest, the children take Tetra to Santiar, the young prince in charge of the renegade children. He tells his story, how he and the other children raid their oppressors. Their burgeoning connection is broken when Conan tracks her down and takes Tetra away, unaware that the soldiers following him grab Santiar. Santiar is brought to Barabbus, who demands Aldo sign the execution order. Aldo refuses and Barabbus kills him and hangs Santiar in the courtyard, just as Conan and Tetra, leading the children, arrive looking for Delmurio. When they see Santiar's body, the children attack Barabbus and overwhelm him while Conan, Delmurio, and Tetra take care of the Aquilonians in the castle. The trio leaves while the victorious children sing in the courtyard.

Reprinted

 * The Chronicles of Conan 23 - Well of Souls and Other Stories