# Red Nails explained — Conan Stories

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

## What happens

Conan and Valeria, fleeing from enemies, discover a lost city inhabited by two warring clans, the Tecuhltli and the Xotalancas, and become entangled in their ancient feud. Amidst supernatural horrors and savage conflicts, Conan and Valeria fight for survival, ultimately confronting the ancient evil that drives the city's curse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Barbarism

The lost city represents a fallen civilization, where the remnants of its people have devolved into savage, internecine warfare, contrasting with Conan's more primal but honorable barbarism.

### Supernatural and Ancient Evil

The presence of Tascela's dark sorcery and the ancient curse that drives the city's inhabitants to madness and violence highlights the supernatural forces at play.

## Character check-ins

### Conan

The Cimmerian adventurer who, along with Valeria, stumbles into the lost city and becomes a key figure in the conflict between the Tecuhltli and Xotalancas.

### Valeria

A fierce pirate woman and companion of Conan, who fights alongside him against the dangers of the lost city and its warring clans.

### Techotl

A warrior of the Tecuhltli clan who encounters Conan and Valeria and guides them into the city, revealing the ancient feud.

### Tascela

The ancient, immortal queen of the Tecuhltli, who wields dark magic and seeks to use Valeria for her own sinister purposes.

### Xatmec

A Xotalanca warrior who attacks Conan and Valeria, representing the hostile clan that opposes the Tecuhltli.

## Key lines

> Red nails are the color of blood, and blood is the color of life.

The vivid red nails symbolize the lifeblood that fuels the conflict and the primal struggle for existence.

_This phrase encapsulates the brutal, life-and-death nature of the story's setting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/red-nails
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters