In "A Witch Shall Be Born," the story takes place in the kingdom of Khauran, where the evil twin sister of the queen, Salome, orchestrates a coup to seize the throne. Salome, a powerful witch, succeeds in her plot, usurping her sister's position and subjecting the kingdom to her tyrannical rule.The true queen, Taramis, is imprisoned while Salome begins her reign of terror. However, Taramis's loyal subjects, including a mercenary named Conan, become aware of the switch and work to free the queen and overthrow the wicked usurper.The novella explores themes of power, betrayal, and the struggle between good and evil. It showcases Howard's talent for crafting action-packed narratives with vivid descriptions of battles, magical elements, and the ruggedness of the Hyborian world."A Witch Shall Be Born" is known for its strong and resourceful female characters, particularly Taramis and Salome, who embody contrasting aspects of femininity and wield great influence over the events of the story. It also delves into the resilience and determination of the protagonist, Conan, as he fights against the forces of darkness to restore justice.