Having incapacitated the sorceress Athyr-Bast, Conan of Cimmeria heard from ally Zula of the growing strength of sorcery in Kheshatta. Using his strange abilities to shapeshift into the guise of Athyr-Bast, Zula detailed his plan to infiltrate the tower of the grand sorcerer Thoth-Amon, so he could waylay their dark plans for power. Once Conan and Zula gained entry to Thoth-Amon's inner sanctum, the snake-shrouded sorcerer unveiled his cult's many machinations - among them, mention of Set's brood gathered beneath the city streets. Sensing 'Athyr-Bast' has already been blessed by Set. Thoth-Amon's jealous rage nearly led to bloodshed, but ultimately Zula and Conan were permitted to leave, unhurt and, as yet, unsuspected. Racing across the city, Zula and Conan returned to Athyr-Bast's chambers only to find the sorceress had escaped as war horns rang out across the city, alerting all to their presence...
