Hammad and his men, along with Shirkuh and three strangers, arrive at the Abode of the Damned, where they discover the citizens' loyalties fractured among chiefs.; A gelatinous monster begins to devour the Abode of the Damned but is stopped by the three strangers Conan had met earlier, with the total destruction of the Abode and everyone living there.; Mellani is captured by the Dark Tigers. While travelling to the Abode of the Damned, the Dark Tigers meet a lone horseman.; Shirkuh and Belissar Khan attempt to take control of the Abode of the Damned, but the plan falls apart when someone in the crowd reveals that Shirkuh is really Conan.; Shirku reveals his true identity to Belissar Khan, and the two forge an alliance to take control of the Abode of the Damned.; Mellani discovers her brother being murdered outside her door.