READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
mate of Issus. And she, La, was Issus, after all!"
A triumphant smile lighted her beautiful face. "We shall
see how innocent the false Issus may be, for it is possible she
has self-seeking motives as well as any of the others at
Tarnath. But you have chosen your steps well. I have been
waiting for this moment—and now I, Issus, shall lead you to
triumph!"
A shout of approval went up from the throats of the
green men, and Tars Tarkas grinned in savage delight at the
prospect of battle. But Var Koros did not smile. Instead, his
strange eyes penetrated La's, solemnly.
"You have said that your power lies with the people," he
told her. "This is true—but it is also true that such power can
destroy the symbol which guides it, if used wrongly. That symbol
is you. Beware of this mighty scepter, and use it well!"
"What of the Warlord?" asked La. "He does not approve
of the religion of Issus."
"This is why we must hasten to reach Tarnath in time,"
said Var Koros.
"The Warlord, John Carter, has been my closest friend
and battle companion," said Tars Tarkas, "but we have since
separated over this very point. I fear that he will be destroyed
by the will of the people unless we can meet him at Tarnath
and convince him that the time of fulfillment has actually
arrived. Once he has joined forces with us and changed his
mind with regard to the religious issue, the nations of Barsoom
will support him full-heartedly, and then he will be able to take
care of all the opposing powers of the Holy Alliance—and the
lie which lives in Tarnath can be converted into golden truth.
This, eternal Issus, is the most holy crusade of the ages!"
"For Issus!" came a cry of triumph from the rear of the
throne room.
All present turned to see a group of red Martian warriors
and several yellow men who now raised their swords on high
and saluted Tars Tarkas and La.
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