At this point in Conan the Barbarian's career, he is the king of Aquilonia after having overthrown and killed the previous king, and some disgruntled subjects are plotting to assasinate him. Treachery, betrayal, and evil magic come into play and then, of course, there is a climactic slaughter in the king's bedroom. As always, Howard's descriptions are clear and effective, and he creates characters that are easy to tell apart.