A Witch Shall Be Born

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

A Witch Shall Be Born

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Queen Taramis of Khauran faces betrayal when her identical twin sister, Salome, returns from the desert wielding dark sorcery. Abandoned at birth for a witch's birthmark, Salome has returned to seize the throne, aided by mercenary forces. As Salome's reign descends into cruelty and human sacrifice, a loyal soldier and the legendary Cimmerian warrior Conan must intervene to restore the true queen and save the kingdom from destruction.

Summary up to 500 words

In the ancient kingdom of Khauran, Queen Taramis awakens to a nightmare: her palace has been seized by her identical twin sister, Salome. Abandoned at birth due to a scarlet crescent birthmark that marked her as a witch, Salome was raised by sorcerers in the East before returning to claim her birthright. She has allied with Constantius, a ruthless Kothic voivode and mercenary leader, to overthrow her sister. Salome's rule quickly devolves into tyranny; she desecrates the temple of Ishtar, institutes human sacrifice, and orders the systematic slaughter of young men to prevent rebellion. Her true identity is eventually revealed to a loyal soldier, Valerius, who discovers the real queen imprisoned in a dungeon. Valerius attempts to rescue Taramis, but Salome, possessing supernatural vitality, survives an apparent death by sword thrust. As chaos erupts in the city, Salome summons a monstrous entity from the temple crypts to terrorize the populace. However, the arrival of Conan the Cimmerian, leading a horde of Zuagir horsemen, turns the tide. Conan defeats the mercenaries and the summoned monster, saving Taramis. After Salome dies, Conan departs to continue his own campaigns, leaving Valerius to serve as Taramis's new captain. The story concludes with Conan executing his former tormentor, Constantius, leaving him to die on a cross in the desert sun. Robert E. Howard's narrative explores themes of identity, the corruption of power, and the clash between civilized decadence and barbarian vitality. Salome represents a twisted reflection of Taramis, embodying the 'witch' curse that haunts the Askhaurian dynasty. Her reign is characterized by the influence of dark sorcery and Shemitish mercenaries who bring only cruelty and lust to the Hyborian kingdom. Conan's intervention restores order, not through diplomacy, but through overwhelming force and justice. His departure underscores his role as a force of nature, unbound by the constraints of courtly life, while Valerius steps up to protect the realm. The tale serves as a cautionary fable about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the enduring presence of evil, even when it wears the face of a beloved sister.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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