V: Twenty Red Nails explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Civilization vs. Barbarism

  The Tecuhltli and Xotalanc clans represent a degenerate civilization, where cruelty and betrayal are the norm, contrasting with Conan's more direct barbaric code.

• Supernatural and Ancient Evil

  The pipes of madness, the dead serpent, and the ancient wizard's bones highlight the supernatural horrors that pervade Xuchotl.

• Survival and Individualism

  Conan relies on his own cunning and strength to navigate the deadly traps and ambushes, embodying the survivalist ethos.

• Honor and Loyalty

  Techotl's dying loyalty to Conan contrasts with Olmec's treachery, underscoring the theme of honor among the barbarians.

Characters to notice

• Conan

  Learns of Olmec's betrayal from Techotl and sets out to rescue Valeria, navigating the deadly halls and discovering Olmec trapped in a torture device.

• Valeria

  Wounded in the leg during the battle, she is taken by Olmec to the Chamber of the... but is later rescued by Conan.

• Olmec

  Prince of Tecuhltli, revealed as treacherous; he is found trapped in a torture device and later killed.

• Techotl

  Dies after warning Conan of Olmec's betrayal and revealing the truth about the dragons.

• Tascela

  Fights savagely in the battle and later holds the pipes of madness taken from the Xotalancas.

• Yanath

  Guides Conan through Xotalanc, showing fear and awe at the horrors within.

• Topal

  Guides Conan through Xotalanc, terrified by the dead serpent and the heads.

Key passages

• “I sought to oppose him, but he struck me down. He thought he had slain me, but I crawled away. Ah, Set, how far I have crawled in my own blood! Beware, Conan! Olmec may have set an ambush for your return! Slay Olmec! He is a beast. Take Valeria and flee! Fear not to traverse the forest. Olmec and Tascela lied about the dragons. They slew each other years ago, all save the strongest. For a dozen years there has been only one dragon. If you have slain him, there is naught in the forest to harm you. He was the god Olmec worshipped; and Olmec fed human sacrifices to him, the very old and the very young, bound and hurled from the wall. Hasten! Olmec has taken Valeria to the Chamber of the⁠—”

  Techotl warns Conan that Olmec betrayed them, that the dragons are a lie, and that Valeria has been taken to a secret chamber.

  Techotl's dying revelation exposes Olmec's treachery and the truth about the forest's dangers.

• “We have won! The feud is ended! The dogs of Xotalanc lie dead! Oh, for a captive to flay alive! Yet it is good to look upon their dead faces. Twenty dead dogs! Twenty red nails for the black column!”

  Olmec exults in the slaughter of the Xotalancas, celebrating the end of the feud with twenty red nails.

  Olmec's savage triumph underscores the brutality of the feud.

• “The pipes of madness. A warrior tells me that Xatmec opened the door to the Xotalancas and was cut down as they stormed into the guardroom. This warrior came to the guardroom from the inner hall just in time to see it happen and to hear the last of a weird strain of music which froze his very soul. Tolkemec used to talk of these pipes, which the Xuchotlans swore were hidden somewhere in the catacombs with the bones of the ancient wizard who used them in his lifetime. Somehow the dogs of Xotalanc found them and learned their secret.”

  Tascela explains that the Xotalancas used the pipes of madness, an ancient magical artifact, to infiltrate Tecuhltli.

  The pipes of madness are a key supernatural element that allowed the Xotalancas to attack.