Conan Stories · Chapter
II: By the Blaze of the Fire-Jewels explained
Conan and Valeria explore the silent, deserted city, moving through eerie chambers lit by fire-jewels.
What happens
Conan and Valeria explore the silent, deserted city, moving through eerie chambers lit by fire-jewels. They find no signs of life or treasure, only ancient friezes depicting a peaceful Eastern people. Valeria grows weary and depressed by the emptiness. While resting, she spots a stealthy, dark-skinned man below—the first human they've seen. The chapter also includes a flashback to dawn, where Conan and Valeria share cactus pears and discuss their pasts before approaching the city. Later, they are guided by Techotl through dark corridors, pursued by the men of Xotalanc and a chilling creature called the Crawler, eventually reaching the sanctuary of Tecuhltli.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Individualism
Conan and Valeria rely on their wits and combat skills to navigate the perilous city, with Conan's barbarian instincts and Valeria's fierce independence on display.
Supernatural and Ancient Evil
The presence of the Crawler, a cold, inhuman creature from the catacombs, and the eerie, haunted atmosphere of the city evoke ancient evil and supernatural threats.
Characters to notice
- Conan
Leads the exploration of the deserted city, shows barbarian instincts and survival skills, keeps watch while Valeria sleeps, and fights the Crawler on the stair.
- Valeria
Accompanies Conan, grows depressed by the silent city, spots the stealthy man from the gallery, and later flees through dark corridors with Conan and Techotl.
- Techotl
Appears as a guide, leads Conan and Valeria through the dark corridor and stair, panics at the pursuit, and brings them to the doors of Tecuhltli.
Key passages
““Maybe it became haunted, and everybody got up and left. Maybe—” “Maybe, hell!” broke in Valeria rudely. “We’ll never know.””
Conan speculates that the city might have been haunted, causing its inhabitants to flee, but Valeria dismisses his guess, saying they'll never find out.
Highlights the mystery of the empty city and the tension between Conan's superstitious nature and Valeria's pragmatism.
““You walk more like a hillman than a sailor,” he said. “You must be an Aquilonian. The suns of Darfar never burnt your white skin brown. Many a princess would envy you.””
Conan remarks that Valeria's stride resembles a hillman's, guesses she is from Aquilonia, and compliments her fair skin.
Shows Conan's observation skills and his growing admiration for Valeria, as well as her Aquilonian origin.