Conan has taken to being a brigand near the Cimmerian border and accosts a passing Brythunian. When the merchant tricks Conan into taking his ring, the cursed item attaches itself to Conan's finger and the merchant rides away laughing while Conan struggles to remove it. Conan screams curses at the fleeing man, calling him a baboon, and suddenly lightning strikes the man. Investigating, Conan finds he has, in fact, turned into a baboon. In confusion, Conan rides away but is soon overcome with thirst. The next bend hides a pool of water, just as Conan had wished for, and although he is suspicious, he drinks. Unfortunately, he is attacked by another brigand and knocked unconscious. When he awakens, all his possessions, including the ring, are gone. As he tries to follow, a flying creature swo