Conan and Jenna encounter a demon-filled mist that seems to be an illusion caused by the piping of a dandy named Vonndhar who greets the two. He says he has come to claim Jenna's soul in the name of his master, Erlik, god of death. Conan runs him through but he gets up and continues his conversation, convincing Conan he is a true servant of death and does not mean Conan any harm. He says Jenna should have died in the Valley of Eternal Night, but as she didn't, Vonndhar has been sent to judge whether she is worthy of continued life. Jenna, however, has slipped away and is fleeing through the forest. She stumbles upon a thieves' camp led by Okkan, whom she convinces them Vonndhar has riches and needs to be killed. As Conan and Vonndhar search for Jenna, they attack and are easily beaten off,