It doesn't take long for Conan to rub the crew of Prince Yezdigerd's ship the wrong way, and he soon gets involved in a brawl with a short-tempered soldier named Balthaz. Prince Yezdigerd, impressed by Conan, tells the barbarian his plan to invade Makkalet. Yezdigerd's ship meets with the Turanian fleet and joins with the assault on the city. The high priest of Makkalet, Kharam-Akkad, has some secret plans to save the city, and to that end is subtly taking control of the city from its weak king. As Balthaz leads Yezdigerd's troops into the city, Kharam unleashes his secret weapon, nine giant undead warriors! They slaughter the Taranian troops but Balthaz and Fafnir escape by climbing the walls toward the priest. Fafnir is felled by an arrow and Conan risks his life to reach his companion,