# III: The People of the Feud explained — Conan Stories

> Chapter companion for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

## What happens

Conan and Valeria are brought by Techotl into the Tecuhltli stronghold within the cursed city of Xuchotl. They meet Prince Olmec and the enigmatic princess Tascela, who seems fixated on Valeria. After a tense audience, the adventurers agree to fight for the Tecuhltli against their ancient enemies, the Xotalancas, in exchange for jewels. Techotl reveals that Tascela is a witch who has maintained her youth for decades, and that the feud between the clans began when Tecuhltli stole her from Xotalanc.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Barbarism

The Tecuhltli live in a decadent, isolated city with elaborate customs and a blood feud, contrasting with Conan's pragmatic barbarism.

### Supernatural and Ancient Evil

Tascela is revealed to be a witch with the secret of perpetual youth, and the city is haunted by ancient horrors like the Crawler and the Burning Skull.

### Honor and Loyalty

Techotl's fierce exultation in avenging his clan by driving red nails into the pillar of vengeance underscores the clan's code of honor and loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Conan

Arrives in Tecuhltli with Valeria, agrees to fight the Xotalancas for jewels.

### Valeria

Accompanies Conan; Tascela stares at her with burning intensity; she asks about destroying dragons.

### Techotl

Guides Conan and Valeria into Tecuhltli, recounts the killing of five Xotalancas, and reveals Tascela's secret.

### Tascela

Princess of Tecuhltli, fixated on Valeria; revealed to be a witch who has kept her youth for decades.

### Olmec

Prince of Tecuhltli, bearded giant, offers jewels in exchange for aid against the Xotalancas.

### Yasala

Sullen-faced maid who whispers with Tascela.

## Key lines

> “You can never reach the coast! There is no escape from Xuchotl! You will spend the rest of your lives in this city!”

Tascela declares that Conan and Valeria are trapped in Xuchotl forever.

_Tascela's outburst reveals the city's inescapable nature._

> “Aye! I swear it! She was a full-grown woman when the Tlazitlans journeyed from Lake Zuad. It was because the king of Stygia desired her for a concubine that Xotalanc and his brother rebelled and fled into the wilderness. She is a witch, who possesses the secret of perpetual youth.”

Techotl reveals that Tascela is an ancient witch who has maintained her youth for decades, and that the feud began when she was stolen from Xotalanc.

_This explains Tascela's agelessness and the origin of the clan feud._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iii-the-people-of-the-feud
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters