Conan the Barbarian 112

Major Characters

 * Conan (Last appearance in CB-111; next appearance in CB-113).

Minor Characters

 * Tossa (Last appearance in CB-111; dies in this issue.
 * Erfu (Last appearance in CB-111; next appearance in CB-113).
 * Niord and his Aesir (Last appearance in CB-111; next appearance in ??).
 * Aosoka and his dwarves (Last appearance in CB-111); Aosoka dies in this issue. No further appearances to date.
 * Thanamund (Last appearance in CB-111); dies in this issue.

Locations

 * Shem
 * The Dwarvish city of Buryat

Time Frame

 * Two days

Synopsis
Conan arrives at the Aesir's encampment and demands to see Niord. He tries to rally them against the dwarves, telling him he broke their viewing globe and stole their ears of spying, but a defeated Niord says he cannot stand against the dwarves' magic. Conan manages to rile Niord up and the Aesir tells Conan how the dwarves came north and captured them with sleeping spells and threats of demons. Conan shows the Aesir how to brew a potion that is an antidote to the lotus that has kept the Aesir mellow, and the group go and hunt a herd of bears. Back at the castle, word arrives to Aosoka that some sentries have gone silent, and he sends a company of dwarves to find them. The soldiers are attacked by Conan and the Aesir, who wear the skin of slain bears on their shoulders. Thinking the Heaven-Bear is attacking, the superstitious dwarves flee back to the castle. Conan lights ablaze the grass that grows high outside the castle walls and the Aesir enter the city, Conan looking for Tossa. He finds her, Thanamund, and Erfu in the king's chambers, Thanamund having already slit the king's throat. Conan proclaims himself ruler of the city and leaves with Niord and some Aesir to chase some of the dwarves who escaped, but when he returns he runs into a fleeing Erfu, who tells him that Thanamund has taken control of the city and ordered the remaining Aesir to fire upon Conan when he returns. Niord reveals that Thanamund is actually Tossa's husband, not brother, and the spot the two of them on the rampart enjoying their victory...until Tossa attempts to stab Thanamund in the back and they both fall to their deaths. Conan decides it's just not worth it and rides off with Erfu.

Reprinted

 * The Chronicles of Conan 14 - Shadow of the Beast and Other Stories