Conan waits outside the home of the prefect of Ramaraj, Antagonides, for a midnight tryst with Syreena, the prefect's concubine. Antagonides has been distracted by three priests who propose to help him overthrow the king of Zamora with the aid of the contents of a mysterious box seemingly filled with gems. Conan, sneakingaway from Syreena, overhears parts of the conversation and determines to steal the box filled with what he believes are priceless gems. Sneaking back to Syreena, Conan is caught by Sgt. Romatha, who sends him back to the barracks. As punishment, Conan is ordered to keep the blacksmith's bellows warm all day and night, a nearly impossible task which Conan completes despite the heat and the effort. He even forges a mighty sword with which to taunt the sergeant., who throws h