Exile of Atlantis

Infobox short story
name = Exile of Atlantis
title_orig = Untitled
translator =
author = Robert E. Howard
country = United States
language = English
series = Kull
genre = Sword and sorcery
published_in = King Kull
publication_type =
publisher = Lancer Books
media_type =
pub_date = 1967
english_pub_date =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Exile of Atlantis"" was originally an untitled story by Robert E. Howard and is the first story written by Howard to feature his creation Kull, set in his fictional Thurian Age.

It details the events that lead Kull to be exiled by his tribe, as well as foreshadows Kull's future as a great king through the use of a prophetic dream. This story would not be published until 1967, in the Lancer book, "King Kull".

Plot

On the continent of Atlantis, long before it became a great empire, it was populated by a various tribes of barbarians. On a mountain, three such barbarians of the Sea-mountain tribe, Kull, Am-ra and Gor-na camp for the night and cook their dinner.

As the night wears on, the three begin to talk. Gor-na, the eldest, tells the story of a tiger who, long ago, called out to the moon to escape hunters, and was granted sanctuary, causing all tigers to worship the moon. Kull finds fault with this story, pointing out that tigers wouldn't worship the moon for aiding some tiger who lived centuries ago.

Gor-na rebukes Kull for his constant ridicule of old myths and traditions, claiming that what has always been will always be. Kull believes this to be false, saying that not even mountains last forever. Gor-na angrily says that though Kull is originally from the the outlaw tribe of Tiger Valley, and he lived alone in forest among the animals after all his people died in a great flood, he must learn to accept the ways of the tribe that adopted him. Am-ra, the youngest of the group, comes to Kull's defense, saying that while Kull may be a outsider, he is clearly the strongest member of their tribe. Gor-na has to agree.

The conversation turns to the outside world. The neighboring islands of Lemuria are currently at war against the great kingdom of Valusia of the mainland. Kull gets excited, and says that he wishes to someday see Valusia, the City of Wonder. Gor-na says that if he ever does, it will be in chains.

As the men lay down to sleep, Kull has a strange dream. In it, he hears the sound of war and trumpets. He sees glorious vistas opening up before him. He sees himself wearing a golden crown, and hears people shouting "King Kull! King Kull!" Kull awakens to find himself haunted and enthralled by the vision.

The next morning, the three return to their village. There they see that a young girl named Ala is about to be burned at the stake. Ala was a girl of the tribe who dared to marry a Lemurian pirate, and was exiled for breaking the age-old feud. When their ship crashed and she washed ashore, her people found her, and now intend to execute her. Kull finds himself bewildered and disgusted by the laws that insist a person must be put to death for marrying an enemy of their race. His eyes meet Ala's and they reach a silent understanding. Kull takes out his hunting knife and throws it at the girl's chest, killing her in an instant and sparing her the pain of being burned to death.

While the people are still too shocked to act, Kull turns and flees the village. Am-ra manages to bump into a archer, forcing him to miss his shot, and saves Kull. Kull climbs up the side of the cliff, and escapes, intent on following his destiny.

External links

* [http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Robert_E_Howard.htm Robert E. Howard bibliography at "Fantasticfiction.co.uk"]