# IX: The Castle of the Wizards explained — Conan Stories

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

## What happens

Conan and his party, including Kerim Shah and Irakzai warriors, ascend Mount Yimsha to confront the Black Seers. They face supernatural attacks—a rabid dog, a steel-beaked hawk, and rolling clouds of smoke—before reaching the castle. Conan breaches the golden-bound teak door, but an invisible crystal barrier traps them inside. Following Khemsa's dying advice, they descend a ramp along a gold vein to survive a deadly rosy mist, then fight green-robed acolytes in a brutal melee. They emerge onto a green jade gallery before the castle's main entrance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and Ancient Evil

The Black Seers wield unnatural powers, including animated dogs, enchanted hawks, and deadly magical mists, embodying ancient evil.

### Survival and Individualism

Conan's pragmatic approach—using Khemsa's advice and brute force—highlights his survival instinct in a hostile supernatural environment.

## Character check-ins

### Conan

Leads the assault on the Black Seers' castle, using Khemsa's advice to navigate the deadly mist and fighting acolytes.

### Kerim Shah

Accompanies Conan, kills the steel-beaked hawk with his bow, and follows Conan down the gold vein ramp.

### Khemsa

Referenced via Conan's memory of his dying advice about the gold vein.

## Key lines

> He cast but a single glance upward at the higher tiers of the great pyramidal structure towering above him. He reached a hand for the bronze prong that jutted like a handle from the door—then checked himself, grinning hardly. The handle was made in the shape of a serpent, head lifted on arched neck; and Conan had a suspicion that that metal head would come to grisly life under his hand.

Conan briefly looked up at the towering castle, then reached for the bronze serpent-shaped door handle but stopped, suspecting it might magically animate and attack him.

_Conan's caution and suspicion of magical traps are demonstrated as he avoids a potentially deadly handle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/ix-the-castle-of-the-wizards
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters