Conan the Barbarian 172

Major Characters

 * Conan (Previous appearance in CB-171; next appearance in CB-173).

Minor Characters

 * Zacharus (First appearance; next appearance in CB-173). Brythunian nobleman
 * Tetra (First appearance; next appearance in CB-173).
 * Kawagne (First appearance; next appearance in CB-173). Pictish chieftain

Locations

 * Pictish Wilderness

Time Frame

 * One day

Synopsis
Zacharus, a Brythunian nobleman, travels through the Pictish wilderness, lost. He is found by a tribe of Picts who attack and kill his entourage and take Zacharus prisoner. They miss Zacharus's daughter, Tetra, who hides in a carriage, and she is discovered later, by Conan who comes across the carnage. He finds it hard to believe Zacharus got lost, but his thoughts are interrupted by drumbeats. At the Pictish camp, Zacharus is tied up in preparation for sacrifice as two Picts are lowered into boiling blood and killed as part of the harvest ritual, with Zacharus scheduled for dawn. Conan agrees to rescue Zacharus in return for half the treasure he suspects the noble is really here for. Tetra agrees When they reach the camp, Conan lights a fire to distract the Picts while Tetra unties her father. However, he bowls her over and leaves her behind in his rush to escape. When Conan finds Zacharus, he is furious he left his daughter behind (after all, Zacharus says, he has several daughters), and returns to the camp where he is nearly overwhelmed by the Picts. Fortunately, Tetra takes the high priest hostage and is able to trade Conan's life for the priest. Meanwhile, Zacharus is frantically searching through the destroyed carriage for Tetra's dress, which has half of a treasure map sewn inside. Fortunately, it was part of the dress that Conan had torn apart and Tetra had used the map section as a braid. She decides the map is now hers and invites Conan on a treasure hunt.

Reprinted

 * The Chronicles of Conan 22 - Reavers in the Borderland and Other Stories