Conan the Buccaneer

Monochrome version of the cover art by Frank Frazetta used for the Lancer, Sphere, Prestige and Ace editions of Conan the Buccaneer

Conan the Buccaneer is a 1971 Conan novel by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter first published by Lancer.

Plot Synopsis

Conan, now in his late thirties and captain of the Wastrel, becomes embroiled in the politics of the kingdom of Zingara when he seeks the rumored treasure on the Nameless Isle. The fugitive Princess Chabela, the privateer Zarono, and the Stygian sorcerer are among those mixed up in the treasure quest.

Detailed Summary

Prologue: Dream of Blood
Princess Chabela of Zingara awakens from a nightmare in which she is surrounded by thick blood. She turns to her god Mitra in prayer and recalls how her father, King Ferdrugo, had been wasting away in recent weeks, issuing questionable decrees and acting very much out of character. She tosses her divining sticks, which form the word "TOVARRO". She gathers some items and rushes out.
1. An Old Zingaran Custom
Late during an overcast night in Kordova, two black cloaked figures sneak into a trap door in a stable and make their way through tunnels to an ornately decorated vault under the castle of Villagro, duke of the city. Villagro himserf sits studying documents under the watchful eye of his bodyguard Gomani, when a clock strikes two and a passage opens revealing the two black cloaked men. Villagro welcomes them as they bow before him. Villagro chastises one of them, Zarano, for being late, and the rogue sheepishly explains he got caught up in a tavern brawl with a haughty Cimmerian named Conan. Zarono then introduces the priest Menkara, who has been attempting to subjugate King Ferdrugo's mind to force him to marry off the princess to Villagro. When Menkara reveals he attempted to enter the Princess's mind, Villagro erupts in rage, as he tells the startled men that Chabela has fled the town. Menkara uses his magics to locate the princess, and manages to divine she is heading for Asgulun. Villagro realizes she seeks her uncle, the ambassador Tavarro. Menkara suggests they recruit another sorcerer, and recommends Thoth-Amon. Villagro agrees, and sends Zarono after Chabela while Menkara seeks Thoth-Amon.
2. A Knife in the Dark
As Zarono and Menkara head off on their respective missions, the priest Ninus scurries through the streets towards a meeting with Conan in order to sell the Cimmerian a treasure map. Unfortunately, he bumps into and recognizes Menkara, and as he tries to raise the alarm that a Stygian sorcerer is in the city, he is savagely stabbed by Zarono, and Menkara takes the map to create the illusion of a simple robbery. Soon, Conan, tired of waiting, sets out in search of Ninus, and finds his barely living body. Realizing the map is missing, he suspects that was the reason for his friend's injuries and vows revenge. Conan carries Ninus to the Nine Drawn Swords tavern where the innkeepr Sabral brings the doctor Cratos to treat him. Responding to the medical care, Ninus is able to tell Conan he was attacked by Menkara of Set and his companion Zarono. Conan, recognizing the name of the privateer, and assuming the whole issue is about the treasure, storms off to set things right. He boards his ship, the Wastrel. and commands Zeltran, his first mate, to ready for sail and battle with Zarono's Petrel. Zeltran slyly suggests it might be wiser to let Zarono lead them to the treasure, then attack, and Conan roars his appreciation of his first mate's cunning.
3. Death of the Sea Queen
On the third day aboard the Sea Queen, the royal yacht of Zingara, Chabela notes an oncoming ship. The Captain Kapellez recognizes Zarono's Petrel and tells Chabela not to worry, though she is wary. Suddenly, entangling green mists appear around the royal ship and begin to surround the sailors and freeze them in magical suspension. On the Petrel, Menkara completes his spell to Zarono's discomfort - this level of evil and villainy disturbs even a privateer. Nonetheless, he orders his men to board and take Chabela, and then scuttles the Sea Queen, an action observed by a distant Conan, who realizes this is more than a simple treasure hunt, and mentally adds another tally to his upcoming reckoning with Zarono.
4. The Nameless Isle
Menkara spends the day studying the map and realizes it contains directions to the legendary Nameless Isles, home of incalculable treasure and a copy of one of the rarest of magical tomes - the Book of Skelos. He brings this information to a drunk and discomfited Zarono, who quickly shakes off his doubts when he senses the opportunity for gold and decides to take a few days' detour. Conan sees the course change and moves his ship to follow.
5. At the World's Edge
Several days later, the Wastrel anchors near an uncharted island, and Zarono takes a group ashore to hack through the dense jungle forest in search of the treasure. Zarono grows frustrated and asks Menkara what is so special about this island, and Menkara points out the absolute silence. For the first time, he notices there are no animals, birds, reptiles, or even insects on the island. They finally break through into a barren patch of sand where the forest abruptly stops, with a black temple at the center. Menkara casts a counter spell to temporarily block the powerful protection spells woven on the temple, and the small band rushes inside. They come across a black altar that holds a book on top, with two bags of gems at its base. The men grab the treasure, and make haste back to their ship.
6. Flaming Eyes
Tied up by Zarono, the resourceful Chabela manages to cut through her bonds with a small dagger she had concealed in her girdle. She crawls out a porthole and drops into the ocean and begins to swim for the shore as the Petral sails into the distance. She makes it and hangs out her clothes to dry while she rests a bit, then begins to explore the island. Unfortunately, a dark figure has found her first. Out to sea, Conan debates a course of action with Zeltran, who advises caution when Conan wants to immediately attack the Wastrel. Finally giving in to Zeltran's wiser counsel, he orders his ship to the northern side of the island to drop anchor and investigate. Conan's landing party finds the abandoned temple and they find the signs of the treasure - prints in the ground and a few scattered gems. When Conan reaches for the gems, the statue guarding the treasure comes to life...
7. The Toad-Thing
Luckily, the statue moves slowly, and Conan commands his men to return to the ship. He himself draws its attention in another direction and runs into the forest as a distraction. At the same moment, Chabela discovers the figure who approaches her is a red-haired, surprisingly friendly northman named Sigurd. Before she can tell her story, Conan bursts into the area, and yells at the two to flee and they join him. Conan has the northerner lead them to a cliff. At the top, Chabela runs one way along the cliff side and the northerner runs the opposite, leaving Conan to taunt the now-confused toad-thing statue with rocks. The angered creature hurls itself towards Conan, who turns and dives out into the water. The stone creature, however, stumbles and falls directly down the cliff side. Conan scrambles back up the cliff to his companions and realizes the girl is Chabela. Sigurd reveals he is first mate of a ship that beached on the south side of the island and the remaining men have set up camp, to which he invites Conan and Chabela.
8. The Cobra Crown
That night, a furious Zarono has Menkara scry for Chabela. The priest's vision reveals The Wastrel, which Zarono recognizes. Conan has taken Sigurd's men on board his ship, and although Menkara knows she is there, he can't say where the ship is or where it is headed. He convinces Zarono to seek the help of Thoth-Amon. They anchor off the Stygian coast and embark on a three day journey overland to the Oasis of Khajar to Thoth-Amon's abode.

Characters

• Conan
• Princess Chabela of Zingara
• Villagro, duke of Kordova
• Gomani, Kushite bodyguard to the duke.
• Zarono, Zingaran privateer
• Menkara, Stygian priest
• Ninus, Messentian priest of Mitra
• Sabral, innkeeper
• Cratos, doctor
• Zeltran, Zingaran sailor
• Sigurd, northern privateer
• Kapellez
• Juma
• Nzinga
• Thoth-Amon

Locations

• Kordova, capital of Zingara
• Nameless Isle
• Khajar oasis, Stygia
• Kulalo, Jumla's Kingdom
• Gamburu, Amazonia

Chronology

• Conan has been captain of the Wastrel for less than a year.

Publication history

• Conan the Buccaneer (novel) • L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter • Lancer 1971