READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
would be—" She swayed, then got control of herself. "It would
be: Tharos Pthan."
Tars Tarkas solemnly drew his long-sword. Kneeling, he
placed it on the floor at the foot of the dias.
"My sword," he said, "now belongs to Issus...”
"Now," said Var Koros, "where is this Tharos Pthan of
legend who has slain banths and white apes and the zitidar,
and whose strength is greater by far than that of the Warlord,
himself?"
La passed a hand across her damp forehead. The swirling
mists of memory were falling away with dizzying speed.
"He—has but just left the palace," she answered, "in the
company of Kar Komak, the Lotharian."
"Kar Komak!" exclaimed Var Koros. "Whither is he
bound?"
"To Tarnath."
The old Martian turned to Tars Tarkas. "Then there is
no time to lose, my friend. We must march upon Tarnath at
once!"
"We?" queried La.
"Yes", answered Var Koros. "The Lost People are ready,
also, to join with the green hordes in a march upon Tarnath,
for I know a way through the caverns of Iss. Tars Tarkas
came to our valley seeking Tarnath. I told him of you, and he
insisted that we bring you with us—for if we are to overthrow
the self-seeking forces of the Holy Alliance, we must present
the people of Barsoom with the true Issus. It is regrettable
that Tharos Pthan has gone ahead. The effect would have
been much greater to enthrone you both simultaneously.
"But—what of that other Issus who sits even now upon
the sacred throne?" asked La.
"A perhaps innocent tool of Tario," said Var Koros.
There were none in that room, except La, herself, who
knew the true identity of that other woman. Yet, they
assumed that Tarzan was Tharos Pthan and, therefore, the
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