Conan goes to rescue King Khossus who has been captured by Ophir.; Blackmark spurns Lyllith's attentions and is slated for death in the arena facing the Flame Lizard. He is taken to a holding cell where Balzamo recognizes a mark Blackmark shared with his mother, indicating he has the power of Amarix. Balzamo and Blackmark are taken to the arena to face the Flame Lizard, but Blackmark kills the beast.; A king's emissary fails to heed Conan's warnings about Khozgari treachery, and only Conan and Jamal escape with their lives. During their escape, they encounter Shanya, the daughter of a Khozgari chief, and take her hostage. When they take a shortcut through the Misty Mountains, they are attacked by the Demons of the Summit. Jamal is killed and Shanya is taken to Shangara, leader of the summit people. He wants to use Shanya as a mate for himself and his son until Conan rescues her.; Sareeta, an Atlantean who married a Lemurian pirate, has been captured after being washed ashore when the pirate ship was broken. As Kull arrives, she is about to be burned for bringing shame to Atlantis. With her nodded assent, Kull hurls his dagger just under her heart, killing her instantly to spare her an agonizing death. Kull's tribesmen chase him with the intent of slaying him for violating their code of morals, but are unable to catch him.; While rescuing King Khossus, Conan must battle a Pterosaur.