Conan the Barbarian 152

Major Characters

 * Conan (Previous appearance in CB-151; next appearance in CB-153).

Minor Characters

 * Cleolanthe (First and only appearance to date); dies in this issue.
 * Jergl Zadh (First appearance; next appearance in next appearance in CB-162).). Demon.

Locations

 * Cimmeria

Time Frame

 * One day

Synopsis
The demon Jergl Zadh shows his concubine Cleolanthe images of Conan, and explains how he plans to use the soul of the barbarian to conquer the world. He sends Cleolanthe into Conan's path and has a winged serpent attack her. He attacks and slays the creature, but his sword breaks. Cleolanthe says she knows of a powerful sword hidden in the nearby ruins of Jergl Zadh, and they go to explore it. Inside the stone structure they find a statue of the demon holding a sword, and Conan takes the impressive looking weapon as Cleolanthe secretly creates illusions of attacking priests. Conan attacks the priests, not knowing a portion of his soul is sucked away every time he wields the sword, though he does find himself oddly exhausted when the battle is over. He lays down to rest while Cleolanthe begins to have second thoughts about destroying so noble a man, but Jergl telepathically commands her to continue the plan. She reluctantly summons a creature and Conan grabs the sword to attack. With every blow the sword grows brighter but Conan grows weaker, though he does beat down the monster. He collapses into unconsciousness and Cleolanthe refuses to cause Conan any more harm. Furious, Jergl Zadh calls forth a host of demons to attack, and when a roused Conan again reaches for the sword, Cleolanthe instead uses her powers to render him unconscious, and she attacks the demons on her own. After defeating them, she tosses the sword off a cliff into the ocean. Having betrayed her master, she turns to dust as a newly-revived and very confused Conan watches. In his nether realm, Jergl seethes and vows revenge.

Reprinted

 * The Chronicles of Conan 20 - Night of the Wolf and Other Stories