Savage Sword of Conan 116

= Lords of the Falcon=

Creators

 * Writer: Larry Yakata
 * Penciller: Ernie Chan
 * Inker: Ernie Chan
 * Letterer: Joe Rosen

Major Characters

 * Conan Conan (Previous chronological appearance in first story of Savage Sword of Conan #185; next chronological appearance in first story of Savage Sword of Conan #115).

Minor Characters

 * Zol (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue. One of the Lords of the Falcon.
 * Gwal (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue). Lord of Tranicos.
 * Quizaal (First and only appearance to date; dies in this issue). One of the Lords of the Falcon.

Location

 * Ekrima
 * Tranicos (possibly named after the pirate)

Timeframe

 * A week

Synopsis
In the destitute village of Ekrima, the Lords of the Falcon gather to plot the death of Conan. They have word that the aged Gwal of Tranicos has summoned Conan for support as he becomes too frail and tired to properly govern. Conan stands at Gwal's side as citizens come forward to tell of murders, kidnappings, and swaths of destruction across the province. Conan vows to stop the crimes, though a grateful Gwal occasionally lapses into dementia. As Conan is out investigating, the Lords of the Falcon approach Gwal in the guise of other kings, attempting to convince him that Conan is a danger and inducting him into their cult. Meanwhile, Conan is attacked by several members although he manages to chase them off. Upon returning to the castle, he finds no sentries posted. When told Gwal has vanished, Conan tracks him to a pyramidal tomb on the plains. He finds Gwal, who leads Conan into the pyramid and into a room of mirrors, the door to which closes behind him, trapping Conan for several days before he realizes he can dig through the relatively soft earth. An infuriated Conan digs himself free of the tomb and returns to the castle to confront Gwal, who confesses all to Conan before he dies of a heart attack. The next morning, a letter is delivered from Gwal to the leaders of the Lords of the Falcon, and one by one they accept a carriage ride to the castle, only to find Conan their driver as he dispatches all three. The other members, believing Gwal has betrayed them, lay waste to the castle, while Conan sneaks back to their camp and kills the remaining guards, taking their treasure chest with him.