Conan washes up on the docks of Makkalet and, in hopes of extracting information, is brought by the soldier Khurusan before the king. Conan explains his situation, and King Eannatum, amused, decides to let Conan work for him. Conan is sent to recruit the help of the queen's father, and, after Melissandra gives him a rune-carved armlet, Conan, Khurusan, and several other soldiers ride from town. They encounter Turnaina troops attempting to blockade the roads leading from town, but break free. They come to an altar made of towering obelisks and, to Conan's surprise, kill its caretaker, a blind hermit. The soldiers then beat Conan into unconsciousness and tie him and the hermit's daughter to the altar, intending to sacrifice him, which has been their intention all along. Khurusan then kills t