Jewels of Gwahlur

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

42236

Title

Jewels of Gwahlur

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In the barbaric kingdom of Keshan, Conan the Cimmerian seeks the legendary Teeth of Gwahlur, a treasure hidden in the haunted ruins of Alkmeenon. Facing rival intrigues and supernatural horrors, he must navigate a cursed valley where ancient servants of darkness await. A tale of swashbuckling adventure, primal fear, and heroic sacrifice set in Robert E. Howard's richly imagined world.

Summary up to 500 words

Conan the Cimmerian arrives in the barbaric kingdom of Keshan, drawn by rumors of the fabulous Teeth of Gwahlur, a treasure said to outshine the hoards of Turanian kings. The kingdom's rulers, a mixed race claiming descent from an ancient white civilization, have abandoned their capital, Alkmeenon, after a mysterious downfall. Conan, a professional fighting-man and former leader of black corsairs, secures employment training Keshan's armies against their enemy, Punt, while secretly searching for the jewels. Rivalry arises with Thutmekri, a Stygian adventurer backed by the trading kingdom of Zembabwei, who offers to invade Punt in exchange for a monopoly on trade and some of the Teeth of Gwahlur. To decide between the rivals, the high priest Gorulga consults the oracle of Alkmeenon, the Princess Yelaya, whose body has remained miraculously preserved. Conan overhears a priest planning to enter the haunted city and races to the cliffs surrounding the valley. Conan descends into the silent, marble-paved ruins of Alkmeenon, a vast natural amphitheater cut off from the world. He finds the palace in a state of enchanted quiet, filled with crumbling fountains and ornate halls. He discovers Zargheba, Thutmekri's partner, has been murdered, his head suspended from a tree. Conan realizes the priests have entered the valley through a secret entrance and follows them into the throne room. Inside, Conan witnesses a ceremony where the false goddess Yelaya, played by the Corinthian girl Muriela, delivers an oracle condemning Thutmekri and ordering the Teeth of Gwahlur be given to Conan. As the priests leave, the real Yelaya collapses. Suddenly, Gwarunga, a wicked priest, attacks Muriela, but Conan intervenes, killing him. The priests then proceed to a cavern altar where they reveal the Teeth of Gwahlur. As the priests retrieve the jewels, the crypt opens, releasing the servants of Bît-Yakin, ancient, bestial horrors enslaved by the gods of Alkmeenon. A massacre ensues as the monsters slaughter the priests. Conan, realizing the danger, grabs the chest of jewels and flees with Muriela. They escape across a narrow bridge spanning a rushing river, but a monster pursues them. In a climactic moment, the monster grabs Muriela and the chest, intending to plunge them into the water. Conan leaps, saving Muriela but allowing the jewels to fall into the river below. Conan and Muriela escape into the jungle, leaving the treasure behind. Conan decides to take Muriela with him, planning to smuggle her into the temple of Punt to exchange places with their ivory goddess, thereby securing a fortune for them both. The story ends with the pair fleeing the valley, having survived the supernatural horrors of Alkmeenon.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction