Kull the Conqueror

Kull fights to join Valusia's elite Dragon Legion but General Taligaro tells him he will never be admitted because he is an Atlantean barbarian. The rejection underscores the 'noble blood' prejudice of Valusia's rulers. He accepts that his path to power will be through other means.

Valusia's king Borna has gone mad and is slaughtering his heirs. Kull confronts Borna and mortally wounds him; with his dying breath Borna names Kull his successor, shocking the nobles. Taligaro's reaction foreshadows the fragile politics of Valusia.

Kull meets his harem and recognizes Zareta as the fortuneteller who once foretold his kingship. She reads the cards and tells him the fate of his kingdom depends on a kiss. He summons her to his chambers to test the prophecy.

Kull attempts to sleep with Zareta, but she reminds him she is a slave who acts only on command. He dismisses her, choosing to avoid taking advantage of her status.

The next day, Kull tries to free his slaves and change the laws, but the stone tablets detailing Valusia's laws hinder his edicts. He realizes the law's strength lies in their ancient authority. The struggle hints at the deeper conflict between reform and tradition.

Taligaro and his cousin secretly attempt to assassinate Kull during his coronation, hoping to seize power. The attempt fails, revealing the fragility of Kull's claim to the throne. The conspirators are left to scheme for the next move.

The necromancer Enaros offers to aid the conspirators by resurrecting Akivasha, the Sorceress Queen. Akivasha uses her magic to enchant Kull and become his queen. She then places Kull in a deathlike slumber and takes him to her temple.

Kull escapes with the help of the Valkan priest Ascalante and frees Zareta. The trio heads north aboard Juba's ship in search of the Breath of Valka, the only weapon capable of stopping Akivasha.

Akivasha sends Taligaro after them; he catches up as Zareta obtains the Breath of Valka. Ascalante is mortally wounded, and Kull is left to die.

Taligaro reveals his intent to use Zareta to betray Akivasha and take the Topaz Throne for himself. The plan exposes the politics behind Akivasha's rise and the struggle for power.

On the day of the solar eclipse, Kull returns to Valusia as Akivasha begins to reveal her true demonic form. The nobles are swept into the crisis as Taligaro's faction presses its advantage.

Kull wounds Taligaro and kills Enaros. Zareta kisses him and passes the Breath of Valka to him, while he kisses Akivasha to transmit Valka's power and extinguish her flame. Akivasha's demonic form is defeated.

Kull is reinstated as king by a now amenable nobility. He names Zareta his queen and uses his axe to destroy the Tablets of the Law, abolishing slavery and setting Valusia on a path to honor.