Svärdet (Sällsamma sagor om det blodiga svärdet med Conan) #2/1975

Conan returns to his homeland of Cimmerien to find his lost love, Mala, taken by raiders from Vanaheim. Pursuing them across the sea, he stumbles upon a boat haunted by the dead—vanir and pikter alike—surrounding a black idol that pulses with dark power. With Mala now bound to Thorfel den fagre on Svärdsön, Conan must face a deadly wedding feast and an ancient curse, where even the gods of the north may not be what they seem.

In a tale of identity and honor, the Saracen El Alemein—revealed to be a Frankish noble born in secret—joins the Crusaders after learning the truth of his origins. When Saladin challenges King Richard the Lion-Hearted to single combat, El Alemein steps forward, fighting in his place and claiming victory. Richard, impressed by his courage, knighted him as Lord O'Dare.

Conan, now captain of the royal guard in the city-state of Zahmahn and lover to the queen, finds his position shattered when drottning Fatima catches him with her maid Yaila. Cast into a dungeon to be devoured by the beast beneath the city, Conan and Yaila must survive the dark tunnels and the horrors within. As the city’s fate hangs on its ancient rule—only a woman may rule—Conan faces a choice that could change Zahmahn’s future.