The Phoenix on the Sword
by Robert E. Howard
The phoenix in the sword begins with Conan of the middle-aged Cimmeria, who is trying to rule the turbulent kingdom of Aquillinia. Conan had recently seized the crown of Aquilonia from King Numedides, whom he had strangled on his throne; However, things didn't go so well, because Conan is more suited to shaking up a broad word than signing official documents with a pen. The people of Aquillonia, who initially hailed Conan as their savior from Numedid's tyranny, gradually opposed him because of his foreign Cimmerian blood.
