The Barbarians

The Ragnicks' peaceful world is shattered when the tyrant Kadar launches a brutal raid and takes their queen Canary hostage. In the chaos, Canary conceals the tribe's magic ruby, the lucky jewel that could bolster power for good or evil. The stage is set for a long struggle between survival, captivity, and hidden magic.

In retaliation, the twin brothers bite off two of Kadar's fingers, a defiant punishment for the tyrant's assault. Enraged, Kadar imprisons them and offers to spare their lives only if Canary becomes his bride. The twins' fate is sealed to a grim bargain that binds the near future to Canary's choice.

Kutchek and Gore are separated and enslaved for years, gradually growing from youths into incredibly strong men. Their harsh bondage sharpens their resolve and fuels a relentless desire for freedom. The brothers endure station after station of brutal toil under Kadar's rule.

When they come of age, Kadar forces the twins to fight to the death in a masked arena. Gore exposes Kutchek's face by lifting his helmet, the two recognizing each other, and they seize the chance to escape. The violent spectacle becomes a turning point that rekindles their brotherhood.

Escaping into the woods, the brothers reunite with old tribemates who have suffered in Canary's absence. They are joined by Ismene, a thief imprisoned by the Ragnicks, and the trio barely avoids being mistaken for enemies and hanged. Together they vow to strike back at Kadar.

Ismene leads them toward a local trading post to procure weapons, but a brash and poor loser challenges their quest with an arm-wrestling bout and denies them gear. The setback complicates their plan, yet the trio presses on toward a palace infiltration. The lesson is clear: ingenuity may replace brute force.

The trio slips into the palace harem where Canary is imprisoned, but she refuses to be freed until the ruby is recovered. Instead of freeing her, they must pursue the gem hidden in the Forbidden Land. Canary's cunning directs their next dangerous mission.

China, Kadar's sorceress, tortures Canary for information before departing for the Forbidden Land to secure the ruby. Her party is devoured by the dragon guarding the Forbidden Land, removing a key obstacle to the ruby's release but signaling greater peril ahead. The loss foreshadows the trials to come.

Following Canary's guidance, the group visits a hidden tomb to gather magical weapons necessary to confront the dragon. The tomb's perilous traps and ancient power test their resolve and unity. This preparation is crucial for the coming battle in the Forbidden Land.

In the Forbidden Land, the dragon rises to annihilate the trespassers, but the brothers slay it and recover the ruby from its guts. They entrust the gem to Ismene to return to the Ragnicks, while they prepare for the final confrontation with Kadar.

Kadar arrives, now aware of China's treachery, and Canary uses the ruby's magic to force a grim bargain: she dies at his hand and summons Kutchek and Gore back to the Forbidden Land. The trap places the brothers at the tyrant's doorstep for a decisive showdown.

The brothers confront Kadar in a brutal final battle. As he attempts to shoot them with a crossbow, his missing fingers hinder the weapon, and the brothers drive their swords through his chest, ending his tyranny. Canary's death marks a grim victory and the end of an era.

With Canary dead, the ruby turns to stone, but Ismene refuses to give up. The ruby is restored, signaling the Ragnicks to choose a new queen by placing the ruby in a candidate's belly button. The tribe's fate now rests on this sacred act.

Disappointment turns to revelation when Ismene proves to be Kara, Kutchek and Gore's old tribemate who had forged her own path. Her unveiling solidifies her legitimacy as a potential leader and woman of strength. The tribe recognizes her worth and welcomes her as part of their future.

With their spirits restored and the brothers returned, the Ragnicks resume their life of travel and entertainment. The ruby's power and Ismene's leadership unite the tribe for a new era of wandering, performance, and survival. The quest closes with renewed freedom and purpose.