History
Bourtai was a beggar in Wan Tengri who found Conan after he emerged from Tsien Hui's pool. He led him underground into the hideout of the local thieves' guild, where he explained him how the seven wizards came to Wan Tengri, overthrew the previous king and now ruled the city with magic and terror. Since the Cimmerian wished to save Kassar the sheep-herd from the wizards' fury, he then escorted Conan into the underground passages of the Flame Tower, but the two were soon separated.[2]
When Conan managed to escape from the arena of the seven wizards, Bourtai helped him crawl through the underground catacombs and reach the top of the Flame Tower to free the Princess. When she was restored as the legitimate ruler of Wan Tengri, he sailed away with the Cimmerian to accompany him in his adventures.[1]
Venturing through the desert southeast of the Vilayet Sea, they both attempted to rescue a man assaulted by bandits, but he eventually died, just before telling them about the Azure Eye of Kara-Shehr, a great jewel from the city of Kara-Shehr. A sandstorm consumed them, and when it dispersed, they found the lost city and began searching through the ruins. They eventually found it in the castle's throne room, clutched by a skeleton hand. Bourtai took the great blue gem, but Conan made him put it back, and the skeletal hand closed on the gem again. After being attacked by Kai Shahh and his bandits, Bourtai grabbed the jewel again and the mysterious guardian creature turned on him, leaving only a skeleton beside the one holding the gem.[3]