At first all Conan wanted was the width of a path through the Border Kingdom, that northern land full of bandits and brawling and sorcery. But that was before he encountered Raihna, a swordswoman as beautiful as she was dangerous. She alone is reason enough to pause a while in his journey. But the rebellion against King Eloikas, whom Raihna now serves, tears the land apart, and in the Vale of Pougoi, the dreaded Star Brothers have renewed their ancient, forbidden thaumaturgies--and summoned an insatiable creature from the depths of time. The Star Brothers cannot believe that one man can stand against their power, but they have reckoned without Conan of Cimmeria....