"The Hour of the Dragon", also known as "Conan the Conqueror", is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. Conan, defeated in battle, captured and placed in a monster-infested dungeon, finds an unexpected ally and escapes; meanwhile, the population of the Aquilonian capital, believing him dead, riots and is ready to accept an alternative King.