The plot is a loosely based on a melange of motifs from previous Conan short stories, most notably "The Scarlet Citadel," with which its early chapters shares an almost identical storyline: Conan defeated in battle, captured and placed in a monster-infested dungeon, finds an unexpected ally and escapes; meanwhile, the population of the Aquilonian capital, believing him dead, riots and is ready to accept an alternative King.