Conan Stories · Chapter
IV: Dance, Girl, Dance! explained
Conan escapes Zamboula after killing Totrasmek and rescuing Zabibi, who reveals herself as Nafertari, mistress of the satrap Jungir Khan.
What happens
Conan escapes Zamboula after killing Totrasmek and rescuing Zabibi, who reveals herself as Nafertari, mistress of the satrap Jungir Khan. He tricks the innkeeper Aram Baksh into being delivered to waiting negroes, then rides westward with the Star of Khorala ring.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Individualism
Conan acts alone, using cunning and violence to escape with treasure, indifferent to social norms.
Power and Corruption
The satrap's madness and Totrasmek's plot reveal the corrupt use of power in Zamboula.
Characters to notice
- Conan
Kills Totrasmek, rescues Zabibi/Nafertari, tricks Aram Baksh, and escapes with the Star of Khorala.
- Nafertari
Reveals herself as the satrap's mistress, not Zabibi; uses a phial to cure Jungir Khan's madness.
- Aram Baksh
Dragged from his chamber, mutilated, and handed over to the negroes by Conan.
- Totrasmek
Killed by Conan; his corpse is left in the temple chamber.
- Jungir Khan
Mentioned as the satrap of Zamboula, cured of madness by Nafertari's phial.
Key passages
“I wonder what she'd say if she knew I recognized her as Nafertari and him as Jungir Khan the instant I saw them”
Conan reflects that he knew the true identities of the woman and the madman all along.
Shows Conan's perceptiveness and secretive nature.
“I knew the Star of Khorala, too. There'll be a fine scene if she ever guesses that I slipped it off his finger while I was tying him with his sword-belt.”
Conan admits he stole the Star of Khorala ring from Jungir Khan during the struggle.
Highlights Conan's opportunistic thievery.