Conan Stories · Chapter
A Witch Shall Be Born explained
Conan, now a captain of the Zuagir nomads, becomes entangled in the political intrigue of Khauran when the evil witch Salome, who bears a striking resemblance to Queen Taramis, usurps the throne.
What happens
Conan, now a captain of the Zuagir nomads, becomes entangled in the political intrigue of Khauran when the evil witch Salome, who bears a striking resemblance to Queen Taramis, usurps the throne. Conan is captured and crucified but survives, eventually leading a revolt that culminates in the defeat of Salome and the ancient monster Thaug.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Valerius’s emotional peak occurs as he shifts from physical agony to a stunned, weeping despair over Taramis’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Power and Corruption
Salome's lust for power drives her to usurp the throne and summon ancient evil, corrupting the kingdom.
- Supernatural and Ancient Evil
The witch Salome and the demon Thaug represent ancient, malevolent forces that threaten the natural order.
Characters to notice
- Conan
Captured and crucified by Salome's forces, survives and leads the Zuagir revolt.
- Taramis
The rightful queen of Khauran, betrayed and imprisoned by her twin sister Salome.
- Salome
The evil witch and twin sister of Taramis, who usurps the throne and summons the demon Thaug.
- Constantius
A Kothian mercenary leader allied with Salome, involved in the plot against Khauran.
- Valerius
A knight of Khauran who aids Conan and the resistance against Salome.
Key passages
“A Witch Shall Be Born”
A witch is destined to be born into the world.
The title foreshadows the emergence of Salome as a powerful sorceress.
