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The Devil in Iron

"The Devil in Iron" is a novelette by Robert E. Howard first published in Weird Tales 24 2 (August 1934).

1 Plot Synopsis
2 Detailed Summary
3 Characters
4 Locations
5 Continuity Notes
6 Publication history
7 Adaptations
8 Gallery

Plot SynopsisEdit

Detailed SummaryEdit

1.
A Yuetshi fisherman who was blown off course by a storm makes his way through the cliffs and jungles of the remote island Xapur to an abandoned, ruined, thousand year old city. He finds a domed structure and, investigating further, a body lying on a golden slab. The fisherman reaches for the jeweled dagger the body clutches, but the eyes open and the body, truly a giant of a man, sits up and snaps the fisherman's neck with his bare hands.
2.
Jehungir Agha, lord of the coastal town Khawarizm, is relating to his counsellor Ghaznavi how King Yezdigerd of Turan is upset at his handling the border excursions of kozaki bandits from the steppes. Conan, it seems, has become their chief and has led many successful raids. Ghaznavi has a plan, however, and brings forth the captive Nemedian princess Octavia who will be among a proposed prisoner exchange. Ghaznavi intends her to attract Conan, then "escape" to the island of Zapur, where the barbarian is sure to follow. Once trapped there, Jehungir Agha and his men can hunt Conan down. The defiant Octavia refuses to help, until she is persuaded by the approach of the mute torturer Gilzan.
3.

In "The Devil in Iron," an ancient demon, Khosatral Khel, is awakened on the remote island of Xapur due to the meddling of a greedy fisherman. Upon reawakening, Khel resurrects the ancient fortress which once dominated the island, including its cyclopean walls, gigantic pythons, and long-dead citizens.

Erstwhile, Conan — a leader of the Vilayet kozaks — is tricked by the villainous Jehungir Agha into pursuing the lovely Octavia to the island of Xapur. Jehungir Agha plans for Conan to fall into a prepared trap on the island. The unforeseen resurrection of the island demon and its ancient fortress, however, interrupts these plans.

When Conan arrives on Xapur, he must defeat not only the forces of the Agha led by Jelal Khan, but a giant serpent as well, and the iron-fleshed monstrosity that is Khosatral Khel.

CharactersEdit

Conan
Jehungir Agha, Turanian lord of Khawarizm
Ghaznavi, Turanian counsellor to Jehungir Agha
Octavia - enslaved Nemedian princess
Gilzan, Shemite torturer

Unnamed Yuetshi fisherman
Unnamed Kushite eunuch
Gilzan - Shemite torturer under Jehungir

LocationsEdit

Xapur, an island in the Vilayet Sea
Khawarizm, city of Turan on the Viayet Sea

Continuity NotesEdit

Leaving Zamboula, Conan rides westward with the Star of Khorala into the meadowlands of Shem. Whether he reaches Ophir with it and claims his roomfull of gold or whether he loses it to some thief or light lady along the road, there i sno record. At any rate, the proceeds cannot have lasted him very long. He pays another short visit to his native Cimmeria, finding old friends dead and old ways duller than ever. When word comes that the kozaki have regained their old vigor and are making King Yezdigard's life as unhappy as possible. Conan takes his horse and his sword back to the harrying of Turan. Although the northlander arrives all but emptyhanded, he has old friends both among the kozaki and among the Red Fellowship of Vilayet Sea. Presently, sizeable contingents from both groups of outlaws are operating under his command and finding the pickings better than ever. - Conan the Wanderer