# IV: Dance, Girl, Dance! explained — Conan Stories

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/iv-dance-girl-dance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters