Conan the Barbarian 81

Major Characters

 * Conan (Last appearance in CB-80; next appearance in CB-82).

Minor Characters

 * Bardylis (Last appearance in CB-80; no further appearances to date).
 * Ptolemy (Last appearance in CB-80; no further appearances to date).
 * Hun-Ya-Di (Last appearance in CB-79; dies in this issue).

Location

 * The village of Attalus in the Lost Valley of Iskander.

Time Frame

 * One day

Synopsis
Conan, now king of Attalus due to the ancient law of Iskander, leads the soldiers to the pass to fight the invading Stygians. He sees that they are led by Hun-Ya-Di, who it seems has been plotting to bring the last two independent cities under Luxur's control, which is why he is trying to disrupt the peaceful exchange of the Eyes of Set between Attalis and Harakht. Hun-Ya-Di has managed to recruit mountain villagers in his cause, and a large army descends into the valley. Although Hun-Ya-Di has access to a bow more powerful than the men of Attalus carry, he is still forced to send in ground troops, and when the battle occurs, Conan and his men swiftly make short work of the hillmen and Stygians until Conan faces Hun-Ya-Di himself. Although the wizard shows surprising military skill, he is still defeated by Conan, and as he dies, the gem in Conan's pouch bleeds in magical sympathy. As the battle ends, Conan is approached by an awakened Ptolemy. Conan braces for battle, but the honorable former king pledges his loyalty to Conan, regretting his hotheadedness and tossing the head of Ablah, who he found cowering in the castle, to Conan's feet. Conan, not wishing to be king, returns the crown to Ptolemy, and spends one night with Bardylis before returning to Belit.

Reprinted

 * Conan Saga #90
 * Chronicles of Conan Volume 10: When Giants Walk the Earth and Other Stories