Having delivered Princess Sozara to her groom and returning to Turan, Conan and Juma-Kushite receive generous rewards from Ildiz and the rank of captains. But Juma commanded the Shah’s personal guard, and Conan was constantly entrusted with particularly difficult and responsible missions. The upcoming task was no exception: to deliver a personal message from Lord Turan to the ruler of the state of Kusan, located on the western borders of the mysterious Khitai. And Conan, leading a small detachment, rode out to meet his fate.