It all began when Conan bought the jeweled bracelet from the Zamoran thief. It would, Conan thought, make the perfect gift for his lady of the moment, Yvanna. But this was no ordinary bauble - it had been taken from the King of Brythunia's only daughter... the daughter who had been cruelly murdered only days before. Cursing his luck, Conan sets off to find the real killers in order to save himself from the executioner's ax. And blunders into a deadly web of palace intrigue masterminded by the Mutare, those ancient priests and priestesses dedicated to the vilest evils and the enslavement of all men. Even Conan's mighty muscles, potent instincts and extraordinary luck might not be enough - even Conan might need the help of the gods themselves!