Know, oh Prince, that a very, very long while ago, I put forth the idea that Almuric was very likely the novel Howard first intended to send Denis Archer in England, only to shelve it as he was writing the second draft, and writing THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON instead.
Esau Cairn, on Almuric, gets a nickname: Ironhand.
From p. 74 of a draft for HOUR OF THE DRAGON, as Conan arrives in Vallbroso's castle:
"Who are you, knave?" he demanded.
"A mercenary riding for Argos," answered Conan. "What matter names?
Some call me Ironhand, for by Mitra, I have no soft fist."
Patrice
