CONAN just goes along with his lover

While travelling with Belit one her pirate ship, CONAN for once doesn't kill the captain and take over command. CONAN and Belit fall in love, and travel as overs and kindred spirits, with CONAN pretty much doing as he is told,

CONAN agreed. He generally agreed to her plans. Hers was the mind that directed their raids, his was the arm that carried out her ideas. It mattered little to him where they sailed or whom they fought, so long as they sailed and fought. He found life good

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 245. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Introducing... Belit

When Belit the Pirate Captain is described as, "The wildest she-devil unhanged." (Page 240) by the captain of the ship CONAN is travelling on, you already know you're in for trouble. We meet her when she jumps in front of her crew to save CONAN from their spears and offer him a chance to join them.

She turned toward CONAN, her bosom heaving, her eyes flashing. Fierce fingers of wonder caught at his heart. She was slender, yet formed like a goddess: at once lithe and voluptuous. Her only garment was a broad silken girdle. Her white ivory limbs and the ivory globes of her breasts drove a beat of fierce passion through the Cimmerian's pulse, even in the panting fury of battle. Her rich black hair was as a Stygian night, fell in rippling burnished clusters down her supple back. Her dark eyes burned on the Cimmerian.
She was untamed as a desert wind, supple and dangerous as a she panther. She came close to him, heedless of his great blade, dripping with blood of her warriors. her red lips parted as she stared up into his sombre eyes.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 242. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

" She came close to him, heedless of his great blade," Calling Dr. Freud, please come to quote 48 at once...


You also know that as soon as anyone except CONAN is likened to a panther or wolf, they are going to be something special.

I'll live while I'm alive and sleep...

CONAN discusses the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen and his lover. he says of the afterlife,

"I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or CROM's realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimer's Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN on the afterlife as offered by CROM, and religion in general

CONAN discusses religion and the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen who is his lover, she asks him, "But what of the worlds beyond the river of death?"

"There is no hope here or hereafter in the cult of my people," answered CONAN. "In this world men struggle and suffer vainly, finding pleasure only in the bright madness of battle; dying, their souls enter a gray misty realm of clouds and icy winds, to wander cheerlessly throughout eternity"
Belit shuddered. "Life, bad as it is, is better than such a destiny. What do you believe, CONAN."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply."

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Again...

CROM, not offering much, but at least not asking much in return

CONAN talks about CROM

CONAN is discussing religion and belief with Belit, the Pirate Queen and his lover. She asks him about his own gods,

"Their chief is CROM. He dwells on a great mountain. What use to call on him? Little he cares if men live or die. Better to be silent than to call his attention to you; he will send dooms, not fortune. He is grim and loveless, but at birth he breathes power to strive and slay into a man's soul. What else shall men ask of gods?"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CROM, doesn't seem to offer much, even to the devoutest follower, but since all he seems to asks in return is that you don't bother him, it seems like a reasonable exchange.