Conan is enjoying the company of some escorts in Korshemish when he sees a small gang of bandits assailing a woman and her hulking, deformed companion. Conan rushes to their aid, but finds the woman, Prem, and her mute and simple, yet strong brother Atreah can handle the thieves, especially after she summons a group of pegasi and their riders to appear. Prem invites Conan to fly with them, and although hesitant, he acquiesces, and the group flies upward through the clouds to the floating city of Mreead-Za, an Arabian-like city of flying carpets and spinnerets where Prem is princess. They land and greet Prem's father, King Pragma, and Prem tells her father that she desires to keep Conan. Before Conan can even react, Pragma's magic renders him unconscious, and he awakens with no memory excep