In this story, set early in his life, Conan has left his northern homeland to cut a bloody swath across the legendary Hyborian Age. A mercenary, a soldier, a thief, and a pirate, he faces conquering armies, malicious sorcerers, and monstrous creatures, against which he wields only the sword held in his powerful grasp. This novel leads directly into one of Robert E. Howard's most famous sword-and-sorcery adventures, "Red Nails," which is included as a bonus feature.