The Phoenix on the Sword

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Phoenix on the Sword

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In Robert E. Howard's classic sword-and-sorcery tale, King Conan of Aquilonia faces a deadly palace conspiracy orchestrated by the sorcerer Ascalante and his Stygian allies. When treachery strikes from within, Conan must rely on his legendary strength and a mysterious dream-vision to survive an attack by a demonic entity summoned through dark magic.

Summary up to 500 words

In Robert E. Howard's *The Phoenix on the Sword*, King Conan of Aquilonia rules with an iron will, yet his reign is shadowed by growing unrest and a secret cabal plotting his overthrow. The conspiracy is led by Ascalante, a former Stygian slave and sorcerer who has infiltrated the highest circles of the court. He manipulates key figures including Volmana, a dwarf count seeking favor; Gromel, commander of the Black Legion; Dion, a baron with tenuous royal bloodlines; and Rinaldo, a minstrel who romanticizes the deposed dynasty. Ascalante orchestrates the plot by diverting imperial troops to the frontier under false pretenses and bribing an officer to abandon his post at the palace. Weary of statecraft and longing for the freedom of his barbarian past, Conan senses an undercurrent of danger. In a vivid dream, he is visited by Epemitreus, a sage from fifteen hundred years prior who warns him of dark forces rising in Stygia. Epemitreus marks Conan's sword with the symbol of the Phoenix, imbuing it with power against demonic entities before vanishing. That night, the conspirators breach the palace. Gromel smashes the door to Conan's chamber, but Ascalante is killed by a monstrous creature summoned by Thoth-Amon, Ascalante's slave, who has retrieved the Ring of Set. The beast, a horrific hybrid of mummy and baboon, attacks Conan. Though wounded by Rinaldo's dagger and nearly overwhelmed, Conan uses his broken sword, now empowered by the Phoenix mark, to slay the demon. The creature disintegrates upon death, leaving only a slimy stain on the floor that confirms its supernatural origin. The court is horrified as they realize the depth of the conspiracy and the reality of the magical threat. Conan survives, though shaken, having defended his throne against both human treachery and eldritch horror. The discovery of the Phoenix symbol on his blade and the nature of the monster reveal that Conan's destiny is intertwined with ancient mysteries beyond human understanding, setting the stage for future conflicts involving the powers of darkness.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Fantasy