Conan the Barbarian 82

Major Characters

 * Conan (Last appearance in CB-81; next appearance in CB-83).

Minor Characters

 * Sabia (First appearance; next appearance in CB-83). Kushite witch.
 * Neth-At (First appearance; next appearance in CB-83). Stygian commander.

Location

 * The swamps off the Viper River, south of Harakht in Stygia

Time Frame

 * One day

Synopsis
Conan rides through the swamps to return to Harakht and Belit, when he comes across a lone woman looking for help. Instinctively knowing it's a trap, Conan still gives into his curiosity and follows her. He is ambushed by three dark skinned Kushites. He kills two, though one and the girl get away. Annoyed, he continues his journey, but encounters a Stygian patrol led by Neth-At, who tells Conan that the fragile peace between the Stygians and Kushites has recently been shattered by Kushite attacks, apparently under the new leadership of a man named Toroa and his follower Sabia (the woman Conan encountered). When they arrive at the Stygian camp, Neth-At prepares to torture and interrogate a Kushite prisoner. Conan simply whispers the name "Amra" in his ear, and the terrified man tells all. Toroa is a wizard from the magician city Kheshatta come to make himself king of Stygia. Suddenly, a cry emerges from the jungle, and the Stygians prepare for an attack. Conan scouts outside the encampment and finds Sabia, who magically freezes him in his tracks and taunts him before she leaves, claiming she has taken Conan's soul and when she calls for him, he will come...

Reprinted

 * Conan Saga #91
 * Chronicles of Conan Volume 11: The Dance of the Skull and Other Stories