Thousands of years ago, after a defeat by Kull, the wizard Rotath dies in his temple, but not before he casts a final spell. More recently, an explorer discovers the templs, and, rather foolishly, touches the golden skeletal remains of Rotath. In modern times, Conan, riding with a company of soldiers on a mission to clear out the hill tribes, grows suspicious of the recent brazenness and updated weapons and armor of the tribesmen. He is also suspicious of an unguarded pass, which is soon revealed to be a trap that only Conan and the Kushite Juma the Black survive, as does their charge, the Princess Yolinda. The two are marched through the hills to a hidden city, where a powerful fountain carries a hollowed ball to the top of a tower. Inside, the newly resurrected, gold-plated Rotath reveal