Untitled synopsis (A Witch Shall Be Born)

Introduction

This synopsis outlines the main events and structure of the story titled A Witch Shall Be Born, as preserved in typescript form. The text presents the full arc of the plot in brief narrative form, as originally conceived. Though concise, the synopsis reveals the major dramatic beats and character actions, serving as a clear blueprint for the final version of the tale.

See also A WITCH SHALL BE BORN.

Summary

The story opens in the city-state of Khauran, where Queen Taramis awakens in her chamber to see an eerie glow on the wall. Within the light, she beholds the face of her twin sister, Salome, long presumed dead. As an infant, Salome had been taken into the desert to perish after being born with the witch-mark—a blood-red crescent on her bosom. This sign indicated the legacy of an ancient curse: centuries earlier, a Queen of Khauran had consorted with a pre-Adamite demon, resulting in a recurring birth of witches within the royal bloodline.

Salome reveals that a witch named Salome has appeared in every generation. Saved as a child by a Khitan magician traveling from Stygia, she was trained in the black arts but ultimately cast out by her master for lacking true cosmic power—being only a base practitioner of sorcery. She fell in with a Kothian adventurer commanding a mercenary army of Shemite warriors. This man had recently petitioned to marry Queen Taramis, though she refused and kept her city gates guarded against him.

Salome boasts that she entered the palace in secret by drugging the queen’s attendants. She plans to imprison Taramis and assume her identity. As she speaks, the Kothian enters, and Salome hands over her sister to be violated, then leaves to give the army orders to enter the city.

The narrative shifts to a young Khaurani soldier, wounded and frightened, telling his sweetheart of the sudden betrayal. On the false queen’s orders, the city gates are opened to the Shemites, and she declares the Kothian her consort and co-ruler. The city’s guards are cut down, save for Conan the Cimmerian, captain of the guard, who refuses to accept that the woman is truly Queen Taramis. Declaring her a devil in disguise, he fights with brutal ferocity before being overpowered. He is then sentenced to crucifixion outside the walls.

Conan, nailed to the cross, fights off vultures with his teeth and is eventually rescued by Olgerd Vladislav, a Zaporoskan (or kozak) bandit leader roaming the Shemitish deserts. Olgerd, impressed by Conan’s endurance, accepts him into his tribe after a brutal trial of strength.

Back in Khauran, a visiting savant records how the false Taramis—Salome—abolishes the worship of Ishtar, desecrates the temples with obscene idols, reinstates human sacrifice, and enthrones a hideous creature from beyond the known world in the sacred shrine.

The young soldier, now disguised as a beggar, infiltrates the palace in search of truth. During one of her torments of the real Taramis—who is imprisoned—Salome shows her the severed head of a loyal councillor. She tosses the head to the beggar, inadvertently revealing herself to him. He flees to bring the news to Conan.

Meanwhile, Conan has risen through the ranks of Olgerd’s band and now commands an army of desert nomads. When Olgerd declares his intention to sack Khauran, Conan overthrows him and leads the horde himself, vowing to rescue Taramis and restore her to power.

The young soldier succeeds in freeing Taramis, but they are cornered by Salome in the temple. As the Kothian prepares to defend his stolen rule, Conan leads the nomads in an assault on the city, slays the outer-worldly monster in the temple, and brings the rebellion to an end. The Kothian is crucified, and Taramis is restored to her throne.

Characters

  • Queen Taramis – Ruler of Khauran and twin sister to Salome; deposed and imprisoned.
  • Salome – Taramis’ twin, born with the witch-mark; a practitioner of black magic who usurps the throne.
  • The Kothian – A ruthless adventurer and mercenary leader allied with Salome; seeks power through marriage and conquest.
  • Conan the Cimmerian – Captain of the Khaurani guard; betrayed, crucified, and later returns to lead an uprising.
  • Olgerd Vladislav – A Zaporoskan bandit chief operating in the desert; initially Conan’s rescuer and later his rival.
  • Unnamed Young Soldier – Loyal to Taramis; uncovers the deception and helps in her rescue.
  • Terrified Sweetheart – The young soldier’s lover; appears briefly while tending his wounds.
  • Khitan Magician – Discovered the infant Salome and taught her sorcery.
  • Unnamed Savant – Visitor to Khauran who records the atrocities under Salome’s rule.
  • Trusted Councillor – Loyal official whose severed head is used by Salome to torment her sister.

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