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The People of the Black Circle

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People of the Black Circle redirects here. For the Millennium/Gollancz collection, see The Conan Chronicles: Volume 1: The People of the Black Circle

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The People of the Black Circle is a novella by Robert E. Howard first published in Weird Tales 24 3-5 (September, October, November 1934).

The October and November installments were each headed by a short recap of the preceding installment(s). Contrary to the magazine's usual practice, these were written by Howard himself. They have recently been replublished under the collective title of "The Story So Far…".

There is also an untitled synopsis of the novella.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

"Devi!" he cried involuntarily, losing his head momentarily in his fright.

"Devi" It was like an explosive echo from the hillman's lips. Chunder Shan saw recognition and intent flame up in the fierce blue eyes.

The governor shouted desperately and caught at his sword, but the hillman moved with the devastating speed of a hurricane. He sprang, knocked the governor sprawling with a savage blow of his knife-hilt, swept up the astounded Devi in one brawny arm and leaped for the window. Chunder Shan, struggling frantically to his feet, saw the man poise an instant on the sill in a flutter of silken skirts and white limbs that was his royal captive, and heard his fierce, exultant snarl: "Now dare to hang my men!" and then Conan leaped to the parapet and was gone. A wild scream floated back to the governor's ears. ”

— Robert E. Howard, The People of the Black Cirlce

This Conan story is set in mythical Hyborian versions India-Pakistan (then united) and Afghanistan (Vendhya and Ghulistan respectively).

The death of Bunda Chand, King of Vendhya, via a curse channelled to his very soul through a lock of his hair which fell in the hands of a nefarious cabal of sorcerers leads to the ascension of his sister, Devi Yasmina, who vows to get revenge on his killers, the Black Seers of Yimsha. Conan, meanwhile, has become chief of a tribe of Afghuli hillmen. Seven of his men have been captured by the Vendhyans and Yasmina intends to use them as collateral to force Conan to kill the Seers. However, Conan infiltrates the border fort where they are held and kidnaps the Devi instead (with the intent of exchanging her for the seven men). The problems are complicated by Kerim Shah, an agent of King Yezdigerd of Turan, who arranged Bunda Chand's death in order to lead an army through the mountains and invade in the subsequent confusion and turmoil. His contact with the Black Seers, Khemsa, has fallen in love with the Devi's maid Gitara. They decide the strike out on their own, kill the seven hillmen and pursue Conan and Yasmina to kill them both as well.

Conan escapes into the Afghuli villages of the Zaibar Pass and Himelian Mountains (Hyborian equivalents of the Khyber pass and Himalayas). Yar Afzal, chief of the Wazuli village, is killed by Khemsa and the people turn against Conan, yet he manages to escape again with Ysamina. Khemsa again catches up with the pair but his attack is interrupted by four Rakhshas from Yimsha. His original masters kill Khemsa and Gitara, stun Conan and steal Yasmina. Khemsa survives a fall from the mountain-side long enough to give Conan a warning and a magic girdle. Shortly after, Kerim Shah and a group of Irakzai (Iraqis), also intent on capturing the Devi for his own ends, encounter Conan. They join together to rescue Yasmina, both open about their private reasons for doing so, and approach the mountain of Yimsha. Most of the men are killed in the attempt but, following Khemsa's warnings, Conan succeeds in killing the Black Seers and rescuing Yasmina.

As they escape they encounter the Turanian army of King Yezdigerd in conflict with Conan's former hillmen (who blame him for the death of the seven captives). Despite their attitude, Conan feels obliged to assist but cannot abandon the Devi. This problem is resolved when a Vendhyan army, invading the mountains to rescue their Queen, arrives. Together, Conan with his Afghulis and Yasmina with her cavalry, they destroy the Turanian army. Conan leaves with the hillmen and the Devi returns to her country.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Locations

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[edit] Publishing history

Believed complete --Ant 20:56, 28 May 2006 (UTC)


The People of the Black Circle (novella) • Robert E. Howard


"The Story Thus Far…" • Robert E. Howard


Untitled Synopsis


The People of the Black Circle (novella) • Robert E. Howard • edited by L. Sprague de Camp

[edit] References

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