Wolves Beyond the Border

"Wolves Beyond the Border" is one of the original stories by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian, a fragment begun in the 1930s but not finished or published in Howard's lifetime. It is a peripheral story in the canon in that while it takes place in Conan's "Hyborian Age" and during Conan's lifetime, Conan does not actually appear, but is merely mentioned. The story was completed by L. Sprague de Camp and in this form first published in the collection "Conan the Usurper" (1967). It has since been published in its original form in the collection "The Conan Chronicles Volume 2: The Hour of the Dragon" (Gollancz, 2001) and "" (Del Rey, 2003).

Plot summary

(From the Conan The Usurper version, ISBN: 0-441-11459-8)

Set during the time of Conan's conquest of Aquilonia, the Forward and story refers to ongoing battles between the armies of Conan and King Numedides. The Picts see an opportunity however.

Told by a border ranger named Gault Hagar's son, the Gault witnesses a secret Pictish ceremony conducted by Tenayoga, a Ligurean shaman, and witnessed by Lord Valerian, an Aquilonian nobleman.

Gault flees to Fort Kwanyara, thence to the town of Schondara where he meets an old friend, exchanges news on Conan's forces and discovers Lord Valerian. Valerian is imprisoned but escapes.

Gault escapes the attack of a giant ape and with others, follows Valerian to a cabin where they watch him meet with the old shaman and a band of Gunderman guards. The leaders of four Pictish tribes plan to meet together and consult a wizard in the swamp. Gault, Hakon and their rangers attack the cabin setting it alight. The two track those who escaped the carnage to the swamp meeting and are captured.

The tribes agree to attack Schondara and depart, leaving the captives bound to stakes. Gault escapes his bonds, slays the wizard and the pair are just in time to sabotage the Pictish assault and be proclaimed as heroes.

Adaptation

The story was adapted by Roy Thomas and John Buscema in "Savage Sword of Conan" #59.

External links

* [http://conan.wikia.com/wiki/Wolves_Beyond_the_Border Conan wiki • Wolves Beyond the Border] • Synopsis, characters, locations, and publishing history
* [http://www.amrathelion.com/ Conan the Barbarian at AmratheLion.com]
* [http://www.conan.com/ Conan.com: The Official Website]