"Swords of the Purple Kingdom" by Robert E. Howard (Circa 1928?)

Originally appeared in King Kull 1967.

Plot: During a hot period in summer, Kull worries that plotters plan his overthrow. Kull confers with Tu and his nephew Dondel about the possible traitors. To find these Tu, the king's visier, dresses himself in disguises and searches for intrigue. During one of these outings he is knocked out and the king's signet ring is stolen, for Tu would never leave the ring in anyone else's care. Kull is unaware of this and goes with a man with a message bearing the stolen seal. While this is happening a young Farsunian named Dalgar is planning to elope with Nalissa, for her father forbids their marriage. Dalgar hurries to the Accursed Gardens to their rendezvous only to find Verulians, lead by a masked Valusian traitor, have captured the king and Nalissa. The trio make a brave stand at the top of a ruined stair, Kull killing many with his axe while Dalgar guards him from flanking attacks. Dalgar falls but Kull fights on until Brule and his Picts show up and finish off the Verulians. The masked traitor flees, taking to horseback where he fights a duel with Brule and loses. When the mask is removed it proves to be Dondel, Tu's nephew. After such bravery on Dalgar's part, Kull intervenes on the young lovers' behalf (Dalagar wounded but alive), and they are allowed to wed.

Monsters:

None

History: Another Argosy-type tale without monsters. In an attempt to sell to Argosy or Adventure, Howard once again makes Kull's troubles come from young lovers trying to elope. (It makes you want the Serpent-Men to come back and try again.) Howard does write a great battle scene on the stairs that is reminiscent of the great battle at the end of Allan Quatermain (1887) by H. R. Haggard, where Umslopogaas meets his end. (One of the greatest scenes in adventure fiction).

Appeared in Kull the Conqueror #9 (July 1973) Adapted by Gerry Conway and drawn by Marie & John Severin. Conway changes the ending of the story by stealing some material from another Kull story "The Altar and the Scorpion", having Dondel meets his end as Thuron did in the other story and shortening it by removing the fight between the masked man and Brule.

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