Conan the Barbarian 158

Major Characters

 * Conan (Previous appearance in CB-157; next appearance in CB-159).

Minor Characters

 * Kahlima (First and only appearance to date); dies in this issue.
 * Ali Maksoud (First and only appearance to date); desert chieftain.
 * Abdul Zu Fahd (First and only appearance to date); dies in this issue.

Locations

 * Eastern Desert

Time Frame

 * Two days

Synopsis
Conan stumbles across two men who are hauling a woman trapped in a box through the desert. Conan immediately slays them and frees the girl as her father and his men catch up. The desert chieftain, Ali Maksoud, explains his daughter, Kahlima, is sought after by Sheik Abdul Zu Fahd and he ordered her kidnapping. Conan enjoys the hospitality of the desert tribe, but that night his tent is invaded by a wolf-creature who nearly bests him. Conan is only saved by the timely arrival of Ali Maksoud and his men, and the beasts flees into the darkness. Maksoud posts sentries, but does not want to chase the creature. The next morning, Ali Maksoud discovers his daughter is missing again and organizes another patrol. They follow a trail to a rocky outcropping as the sun sets, and find Kahlima tied to the rocks. Conan suspects an ambush, and he is proved correct as Abdul Zu Fahd and his men reveal themselves. When Maksoud accuses Fahd of kidnapping his daughter to marry her, Maksoud dismisses the idea, insisting Kahlima is a demon who murdered his son, who she was betrothed to. Tempers flair and a fight breaks out, only pausing as the moon comes out and Kahlima begins to transform into a werewolf! As she breaks free of her bonds the men panic, and Conan the horde of men prevent Conan from reaching her as Abdul Zu Fahd readies a specially poisoned crossbow to kill her. But Ali Maksoud slays the sheik, but then trains the crossbow on his daughter and kills her, accepting the responsibility for her death. He tells Conan she was the result of a demonic relationship, and protected her as long as he could, but things went too far. He asks only to be left alone with his daughter's body, and Conan slowly rides away.

Reprinted

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