1. Why did the conspirators Orastes, Amalric, Valerius, and Tarascus not think of the possibility that Xaltotun might be too powerful for them to control before they brought him back from the world of the dead?

2. Why is it important to the story to know that Xaltotun was not really reborn but is instead a corpse that looks alive?

3. Why is Xaltotun so sure that he has the Heart of Ahriman hidden away, when in fact Tarascus has taken it?

4. Why would Howard tell his readers about the Heart of Ahriman's danger for Xaltotun and then have it sent to the seacoast, without also letting Conan know about it? Does this create suspense? Or is it merely annoying?

5. Why does Conan allow Tarascus to live at the end of the novel? After all, he tried to kill Tarascus earlier in the book. What does this...