Conan rides hard into Aghrapur, driving his horse to death, in order to bring a message to King Yildiz. He collapses at the king's feet, and, impressed with his sense of duty, decides to make Conan part of his personal guard. Conan awakens in luxury in the palace, and takes the time to reunite with Amytis, woman of Turanian commander Narim-Bey. Others in the palace make fun of Conan's barbarism, and, after he sets them straight, spends weeks learning training in horsemanship and with bows, spears, and axes. Meanwhile, the King's son Yezdigerd, currently ravaging the east, has sent a huge, headless stone statue to his father as tribute from one of the cities he has razed. Yildiz is appreciative of the gift, though Conan is suspicious of how the supposedly sacred statue was conveniently foun