When Greg and Tom Hunter learn of their father's accidental death during his exploration of the asteroid belt, they are certain that it was no accident.
Grimly Eric John Stark slogged toward that ancient Martian city-with every step he cursed the talisman of Ban Cruach that flamed in his blood-stained belt.
After rescuing a beautiful maiden, Conan escapes to a remote island where he encounters a skulking creature and mysterious iron statues, and is captured by pirates.
And the diviner rose up, stroking his grey beard, and spake guardedly-"e;There are certain events,"e; he said, "e;upon the ways of Fate that are veiled even from a diviner's eyes, and many more are clear to us that were better veiled from all; much I know that is better unforetold, and some things that I may not foretell on pain of centuries of punishment.
And the Book of the Knowledge of the gods tells further how the day on which Pompeides found the gods shall be kept for ever as a fast until the evening and called the Fast of the Departing, but in the evening shall a feast be held which is named the Feast of the Relenting, for on that evening Sarnidac pitied the whole world and tarried.
Graed Garroway's empire on Earth was toppling, smashed by the flaming vengeance of Dirk Morris who struck from nowhere with blinding speed and true justice.