Conan and Atreah are lost in the mountains after their pegasus died. Luckily, a rider heads toward them and nearly tramples Conan. He is fleeing the Ophirean city of Pergona and in a fit of hysteria runs away leaving his horse behind. Now that they know where they are, Conan and Atreah take the horse through the mountain pass and see the walls of the city with the gates open. However, every person in the city is immobile...even ale being poured into a cup is frozen. As the two wander around the town they hear laughter and see two young men, hands full of stolen supplies, walking through the streets. When Conan steps out, they assume he is the warlock responsible for the frozen townspeople and attack, although they are as lacking in skill as subtlety. When Conan calms them down, they reveal