Conan the Barbarian 38

Major Characters

 * Conan (Previous appearance in second story of SSOC-123; next appearance in CB-39).

Minor Characters

 * Narim-Bey (Previous appearance in CB-36; dies in this issue).
 * Amytis (Previous appearance in CB-36; no further appearance to date).
 * Feyd-Ratha (Previous appearance in CB-36; no further appearance to date).
 * Ardet Lilu and Lilitu (First appearance; no further appearances to date). Were-people.
 * Gimil Ishbi (First appearance; dies in this issue). High priest.

Location

 * Aghrapur

Time Frame

 * A few days. Conan has been in Turan for about two years as of this issue.

Synopsis
Conan attends a party in his honor for rescuing the princess Yolinda (which happened in CB-37), but swiftly turns the crowd against him with his barbarian manners. The fop Feyd-Ratha lets Conan know that he is aware of the barbarian's dalliances with Commander Narim-Bey's woman Amytis, but Conan is in no mood to be blackmailed. During the party, a dancing girl goes mad and attacks Conan with a knife before committing suicide. Strange voices and shadows stalk Conan on the way home, and he nearly attacks Amytis who had made her way to his quarters. She reveals that Lilitu, a were-woman has marked Conan as her own and is behind the supernatural astacks. The only one who can lift the curse is the high priest Gimil-Ishbi, who dwells in the Mound of the Moon west of the city. Amytis returns to her quarters, where she reveals, to an unknown master, the conversation with Conan was part of a larger plan. Conan finds the priest, who casts spells to lift the were-woman's curse from Conan. Conan repays the priest, who demands lifeblood in return for his casting, with a quick death. Conan returns to his home, following the instructions of the priest, and he is attacked by and captures a wolfman, Ardet-Lilu, the mate of Lilitu. In return for sparing Ardet-Lilu's life, Conan makes Lilutu tell him who wanted the curse placed on him. When he hears the name, Conan grimly lets the wolfman go, but the two creatures quickly turn and attack Conan anew. Conan runs, heading to the source of his troubles, Narim-Bey, who has known for some time of his wife's betrayal. Conan easily beats the lacking swordsman, and leaves him for the were-creatures while stealing Narim-Bey's horse. Conan decides he's had enough of Aghrapur and rides west.

Reprinted

 * Conan Saga #77
 * The Chronicles of Conan Volume Six: The Curse of the Golden Skull and Other Stories