Conan and Arno, commanders of the Golden Lions (the border guards of Aquilonia), lead troops into the Pictish forests. The troops were scattered from the attack of large snakes, and many died. Conan, along with the captain Flavius, make their way to the Council Glade, where a meeting of the Pictish leaders is being held. There they learn about who turned out to be a traitor who sent troops to certain death. Conan decides to take revenge - both on the Aquilonian traitor and on the Picts who carried out the massacre in the forest.