The shadow kingdom

"The Shadow Kingdom" by Robert E. Howard is a fantasy novella that tells the story of King Kull, an Atlantean warrior, who now rules the kingdom of Valusia, finding himself amidst a web of deception and ancient magic. Kull faces danger from snake-men disguised as his own courtiers, political treachery, and the sinister plots hatched by serpent priests lurking in the darkness who aim to take his kingdom. Kull finds a steadfast ally in Brule, a Pictish warrior, as they navigate the dangers which force Kull to question his allegiances and prove the worthiness of his right to the throne through conflict and challenges, grappling with loyalty and identity.