"Thieves of Zangabal" by Lin Carter (1969)
Originally appeared in The Mighty Barbarians edited by Hans Stefan Santesson for Lancer Books 1969. Reprinted in Lost Worlds, Daw 1980. Plot: Thongor the Barbarian is hired by Kaman Thuu, a scheming priest, to steal a magic mirror from the home of the magician, Athmar Phong. Protected by the Shield of Cathloda, Thongor must vanguish the wizard's guardian, a bird-like demon (shown above) as well as the master of the house! Monsters: The Bird-Devil - Athmar Phong's guardian appears at first as a beautiful captive and steals Thongor's magical amulet. It has the ability to turn into anything it chooses, making its hide hard as steel. Thongor shatters it into pieces with the Shield of Cathloda's force field. The Demon Aqquoonkagua - Thousands of years ago this demon was placed inside a black mirror by the wizard Zaffar. Athmar Phong uses the demon's power to work his magic but when the mirror is destroyed by the Shield of Cathloda (which nullifies all spells near it) Aqquoonkagua is released and takes his vengeance on Athmar Phong. Thongor and Ald Thurmis flee the tower which falls around them. History: Lin Carter did not invent the idea of a barbarian hired to do a home invasion on a wizard. Robert E. Howard did it originally in "Rogues in the House" (Weird Tales, January 1934) and to a lesser degree in "Tower of the Elephant" (Weird Tales, March 1933). Henry Kuttner used a similar structure for his Elak story "Spawn of Dagon" (Weird Tales, July 1938). Not surprising Larry Niven none-too-gently pokes this plot in the eye with his "Not Long Before the End" (Fantasy & Science Fiction, April 1969), which appeared the same year as "Thieves of Zangabal". It is unlikely it was Carter's story he was lampooning because of the date of publication. Niven may have been inspired by Howard's original, "Rogues in the House" which was included in Conan (Lancer Books, 1968). The story was adapted by Val Mayerik in 1973 for Creatures on the Loose #22 and 23. #23 has personal significance for me. It was the first Sword & Sorcery comic I ever owned.
|
1