The Devil in Iron

Name: The Devil in Iron
Author: Robert E. Howard

A fisherman, driven by curiosity and a storm, discovers the ruins of an ancient island kingdom called Xapur. He finds a tomb containing a preserved body of a giant man, who awakens when the fisherman attempts to steal a jeweled dagger from his chest. The fisherman is killed by the giant, revealing the ancient power of the tomb. Meanwhile, Jehungir Agha, a lord of Khawarizm, is frustrated by his inability to control the raids from the steppes led by the barbarian Conan. Jehungir devises a plan to lure Conan into a trap using a captive woman, Octavia, to attract him. Octavia, having escaped from her captors, swims to Xapur, seeking refuge. Conan, having risen to leadership among the kozaks, is drawn to Xapur by rumors of Octavia's presence. Upon arriving, he is confronted by the resurrected Khosatral Khel, an ancient entity that had been dormant for centuries. Khosatral, a being of living iron, seeks to reclaim his power and restore his city, Dagon, which he does through dark sorcery. As Conan navigates the ruins, he battles Khosatral and his monstrous creations. The struggle culminates in a fierce confrontation where Conan wields a magical dagger that can harm Khosatral. After a brutal fight, Conan defeats Khosatral, who reverts to his original monstrous form, causing the city of Dagon to fade back into ruins. Conan and Octavia escape the island, with Conan asserting his dominance and claiming Octavia as his own. The story explores themes of power, survival, and the clash between civilization and barbarism, showcasing Conan's strength and cunning against ancient, supernatural forces.

By Robert E. Howard · First published 1934 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery · 6 chapters · 14,020 words

First lines

The fisherman loosened his knife in its scabbard. The gesture was instinctive, for what he feared was nothing a knife could slay, not even the saw-edged crescent blade of the Yuetshi that could disembowel a man with an upward stroke. Neither man nor beast threatened him in the solitude which brooded over the castellated isle of Xapur.

He had climbed the cliffs, passed through the jungle that bordered them, and now stood surrounded by evidences of a vanished state. Broken columns glimmered among the trees, the straggling lines of crumbling walls meandered off into the shadows, and under his feet were broad paves, cracked and bowed by roots growing beneath.

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The Devil in Iron is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1934 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert E. Howard
Date: 1934 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Horror, Historical Fiction
Length: 14,020 words
Structure: 6 chapters, 197 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Fantasy — The story features supernatural elements, mythical creatures, and a fantastical setting.
Adventure — The plot involves exploration, action, and heroic quests typical of adventure narratives.
Sword and Sorcery — The narrative includes elements of magic and combat, focusing on a heroic protagonist.
Horror — The presence of dark themes and menacing entities contributes to a horror atmosphere.