The Scarlet Citadel

Name: The Scarlet Citadel
Author: Robert E. Howard

The Scarlet Citadel is a fantasy novel by Robert E. Howard, first published in 1933. It is the fourth and final book in the series of stories featuring the character Conan the Cimmerian. The story begins with Conan, a barbarian warrior, being captured by the forces of the evil wizard Tsotha-lanti. Tsotha-lanti has taken control of the kingdom of Koth and is using his dark magic to enslave its people. Conan is taken to the Scarlet Citadel, a fortress of Tsotha-lanti's, where he is to be executed. Conan manages to escape and rallies a group of rebels to help him overthrow Tsotha-lanti and free Koth. He leads them on a daring assault on the Scarlet Citadel, where they battle Tsotha-lanti's forces and eventually defeat them. With Tsotha-lanti's defeat, Conan is able to restore peace and freedom to Koth. The Scarlet Citadel is a classic example of Howard's sword and sorcery style of writing. It is filled with action, adventure, and suspense, and is sure to please fans of the genre.

By Robert E. Howard · First published 1928 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery · 5 chapters · 15,697 words

First lines

The roar of battle had died away; the shout of victory mingled with the cries of the dying. Like gay-hued leaves after an autumn storm, the fallen littered the plain; the sinking sun shimmered on burnished helmets, gilt-worked mail, silver breastplates, broken swords and the heavy regal folds of silken standards, overthrown in pools of curdling crimson. In silent heaps lay war-horses and their steel-clad riders, flowing manes and blowing plumes stained alike in the red tide. About them and among them, like the drift of a storm, were strewn slashed and trampled bodies in steel caps and leather jerkins--archers and pikemen.

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The Scarlet Citadel is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1928 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert E. Howard
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Historical Fiction
Length: 15,697 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 493 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Fantasy — The Scarlet Citadel is a fantasy novel written by Robert E. Howard, set in the fictional world of Hyboria. It follows the adventures of the protagonist, Conan the Barbarian, as he battles monsters and villains in a quest to save the kingdom of Aquilonia.
Adventure — The Scarlet Citadel is an adventure novel, as Conan embarks on a quest to save the kingdom of Aquilonia from the forces of evil. He faces many obstacles and battles monsters and villains along the way.
Sword and Sorcery — The Scarlet Citadel is a sword and sorcery novel, as Conan uses his sword and magical powers to battle monsters and villains in his quest to save the kingdom of Aquilonia.
Historical Fiction — The Scarlet Citadel is set in the fictional world of Hyboria, which is based on the real-world history of the Hyborian Age. The novel also features historical figures such as King Conan of Aquilonia.