READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
world!"
Ranas Ghol sighed. "So be it, Tario. Perhaps—when this
planet wings dead and withered of life along its timeless
course and when all the others are black and barren,
too—there may yet rise up a race among the ageless stars
which will be endowed with the wisdom of the Absolute.
Without this hope, creation itself is futile. I am done!"
"No!" exclaimed Tario. "You are not done! You know
what happened last night, because you foresaw it!" "Yes,"
relied the other, resignedly. "I foresaw it!"
"Then tell me! What have I done? Does that sickening
middle eye of yours foretell that she is Issus?"
Ranas Ghol looked back at him sternly. "You say I am not
done, Tario. Neither are you. The future of this woman
belongs to the prophecy. What have you done with her?"
"Tell me!" insisted Tario. "Is this the immortal Issus,
resurrected by some miracle I do not comprehend?"
The Zumorian sighed. "There is yet another who will be
called Issus," he answered. "In telling you this much, I am
violating the laws of my race, and it is dangerous. Ask me no
more. But what have you done with the woman? I am curious
because her lines of variable probability are lost to me."
Tario grinned sardonically. "At least, that should remain
a secret," he said. "I have placed her in hiding where none
may find her, and I have borrowed ten of your Tarnathian red
men to guard her until I visit her again."
"Borrowed? How could they—"
"I borrowed their minds, as well. They know nothing,
except that anyone other than myself who approaches her
hiding place must die."
"Then—you intend to use her to further your own
personal plans?"
"I hold her in reserve for the right moment," replied
Tario. "In time, if it be my will, she shall be enthroned as
Issus."
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