85-Beyond the Black River

About this book

Beyond the Black River is a classic sword-and-sorcery novella by Robert E. Howard, set in the Hyborian Age and starring Conan the Cimmerian. On the wild western frontier of Aquilonia, settlers have pushed into the Pictish wilderness of Conajohara, building cabins and forts in the shadow of the Black River. Young Balthus, newly arrived from the east, is still deciding whether to claim a hide of land or join the garrison when a lurking arrow almost ends his journey. His rescuer is a scarred, blue-eyed mercenary in a horned helmet, a man who reads the forest like a panther and speaks bluntly about the folly of colonizing lands that belong to others. Soon the two are drawn into a struggle for survival as the savage clans across the river stir and the border begins to crack. Dark woods, whispers of sorcery and ruthless warfare make this a gripping tale of civilization against barbarism. Howard's muscular prose, vivid atmosphere and unforgettable hero have made this story a cornerstone of heroic fantasy and a favourite among fans of the Conan saga. At about 22,000 words and nine chapters, it is a fast, atmospheric read that works as a standalone adventure or as part of the Conan chronology. Buy now and start reading online instantly in your browser.

Author

Robert E. Howard

Length

~82 pages

Reading time

1 h 38 min

Chapters

9

Released

October 24, 2026

Languages

🇬🇧 EN · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇩🇪 DE · 🇫🇷 FR · 🇪🇸 ES · 🇮🇹 IT · 🇧🇷 PT-BR · 🇲🇽 ES-MX · 🇵🇹 PT · 🇺🇦 UK · 🇨🇿 CS · 🇸🇰 SK · 🇬🇷 EL · 🇭🇺 HU · 🇹🇷 TR · 🇳🇱 NL · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇧🇬 BG · 🇭🇷 HR · 🇷🇸 SR · 🇸🇮 SL · 🇱🇹 LT · 🇱🇻 LV · 🇪🇪 ET · 🇸🇪 SV · 🇩🇰 DA · 🇳🇴 NB · 🇫🇮 FI · 🇯🇵 JA · 🇰🇷 KO · 🇨🇳 ZH · 🇹🇼 ZH-TW · 🇮🇩 ID · 🇻🇳 VI · 🇹🇭 TH · 🇮🇳 HI · 🇸🇦 AR · 🇮🇱 HE

Formats

eBook

Print format

Paperback, 13.5 × 21 cm, 100 pages

Age rating

Teen 13+