"By This Axe I Rule" by Robert E. Howard

"By This Axe I Rule" by Robert E. Howard (Circa 1928?)

Originally appeared in King Kull 1967.

Plot: Ardyon, an outlaw joins four others in a plot to dethrone Kull. These include Ridondo, an idealistic poet, Ducalon, count of Komahar, Enaros, commander of the Black Legion, and Kaanuub, Baron of Blaal. Meanwhile, the bored and frustrated Kull must turn down a request from a nobleman, Seno val Dor, to marry a slave girl. This decision, like so many others forced on him, are used against him by his enemies. The conspirators send Brule and his Picts away on a wild goose chase before attacking Kull in his bedroom. The king gains a small warning and puts on part of his armor. The conspirators attack and Kull kills several of them using an ancient axe from the wall, before allowing the poet Ridondo to give him a serious wound in his side. Kull does not want to kill the poet but has to in the end. Kull slays everyone except the outlaw Ardyon, who is about to dispatch him in his weakened condition. Seno val Dor kills Ardyon with a thrown knife and saves the king. Before his wounds can be bandaged, Kull demands the royal law forbidding a Valusian to marry a slave be brought to him. With the axe he shatters the tablet and the law, declaring "By this axe I Rule!" He will no longer be ruled by old laws. He grants Seno the right to marry whomever he wishes.

None.

History: Written for the Argosy and Adventure markets (both rejected the story) this tale of Kull features no supernatural creatures. It is an action-packed grudge-match between Kull and a gang of guys, as if Howard was rewriting the assassination of Julius Caesar with JC in battle armor. The story was re-cycled into "The Phoenix on the Sword", a Conan tale. The poet Ridondo seems to be based on Lord Byron.

Adapted in Kull the Destroyer #11 (November 1973) written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Mike Ploog. Ploog does a great job though I did notice some swipes from Frank Frazetta (who else?). Roy Thomas changed the ending of the story so it could be continued in later issues.