Conan falls out of grace with the Zuagir war-chiefs. They conspire and convince the priestess of the lion god to give him the mark of the lion god, which renders him a coward and unable to handle weapons. Conan's second in command, Akhmed Sud, usurps the leadership and banishes Conan. The Cimmerian becomes a beggar, and the Iron Lions, the henchmen of the lion priestess, kill everyone who tries to help him. Eventually, Jepthah Ben Zuun helps Conan break the bonds of his mind, and Conan disposes of the Iron Lions, as well as Akhmed Sud. Then he leaves the Zuagir for good.