Not one of my favorite stories (of the first 13 published this one finishes dead last). Let's see if we can't find a few gems though.
Gods!
- Yog the Lord of Empty Abodes who is worshiped with fire (which reminds me, it was never revealed as to why the huts across from the house of Aram Baksh were deserted)
- Hanuman whose sacrifices are dragged in by chains of roses.
- The dancing girl cries out, "In the name of Set, do no harm him." So it would seem Set is a beneficent god.
- Yajur loves blood
Conan the Homeless
After being warned by the Zuagir, Conan still goes to the house of Aram Baksh. It doesn't take long to learn why - he's already paid for the room and he's lost all the rest of his money to gambling. The fact that Conan doesn't sleep in the streets primarily for security reasons means he would otherwise consider it. And why not? No doubt a Cimmerian is inured to the elements.
Ghanara
Just where is Ghanara? Wherever it is, it seems their lasses are comely enough.
The Bates Motel
The setup at the house of Aram Baksh reminds me of a Solomon Kane story.
Something's rotten in the state of Zamboula
Almost from the start we are given reason to believe that there's something the dancer's not telling us.
Conan's Kryptonite: Wine and women
Conan's going to risk getting himself killed just for a piece of a$$? Hardly seems practical. Of course, later we learn there may be more to his motivations...
Baal-pteor
Interesting character; wish we knew more about him. Where is Kosola and Yota-pong? Why did he leave and change his name?
