![]() Kull, as a barbarian, sees the diplomacy and politics of Valusia (and the others of the Seven Empires) as a form of illusion. The most obvious instance of this is the Serpent Men's ability of disguise through magic and their use of this to steal identities at will. The subjects of masks and identity are repeated throughout the story. The story ends with Kull's oath to hunt and destroy the Serpent Men for good. The imposter Kull is killed by the real one, revealing the fake as a Serpent Man and also revealing the truth of the existence of Serpent Men in general. Heading into the real Council Room, they see another Kull. Kull realizes the trap in time, however, and the two barely defeat their opponents. He and Brule are, through an illusion, tricked into a separate room instead of the real council, surrounded by Serpent Men disguised as the councillors. The next day, the Serpent Men again attempt to replace Kull. They intended on replacing Kull with a disguised Serpent Man, just as they had done with his predecessors. A visit by Chief Councillor Tu, with exposition from Brule, reveals the truth as Tu attempts to assassinate the sleeping King but meets him awake and armed it was, however, not the real Tu but a serpent man who had taken on his appearance.īrule reveals that the Serpent Men, an ancient pre-human race who had founded Valusia but were almost extinct, rule from the shadows, using their Snake Cult religion and ability to disguise themselves with magic. Soon, Kull sees that the guards outside his room are all unconscious and their bodies hidden, although they still seem to be on guard at the same time. Brule explains that Kull's life is in danger and shows him a series of secret passages which riddle the palace. In the early night, Brule climbs into Kull's bedroom, identifying himself with a "bracelet of gold representing a winged dragon coiled thrice, with three horns of ruby on the head" which had been shown to Kull at the feast. Despite the fact that the Picts are ancient enemies of the Atlanteans, Ka-nu confides in Kull and tells him to expect the arrival of Brule the Spear-Slayer around sunset. Kull is invited to a feast by the Pictish ambassador for Valusia, Ka-nu the Ancient. The story starts shortly after Kull, a barbarian from Atlantis, has conquered Valusia and become its King.
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