READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
Sweat beaded the brow of Zithad as he watched Sardon
Dhur's nauseating display of abject subservience.
"Master!" the Thern was mumbling to Tario. "But name
thy will and it shall be done!"
"You are a monster!" shouted Zithad. "Make me what you
will, but I shall await the coming of the true Tharos Pthan!"
Tario's brow contracted. Suddenly, darkness fell upon
the world outside and a reverberating roll of thunder was
heard. Lightning ripped the atmosphere but a few yards from
the balcony, and the howl of the wind rose to a piercing
scream.
Tario rose up dramatically, glaring at Zithad. "I am
Tharos Pthan!" he cried. "I am the Guardian of Issus, Warden
of the Sacred Worlds, Jeddak of Jeddaks of all Barsoom!"
Zithad looked out at the titanic storm, believing that
Tario had commanded it into being, and at last his superstitious
should succumbed. He turned toward the throne and
dropped significantly to one knee.
As he did so, the storm subsided, and the light of day
penetrated the throne room of Issus once more.
"I must accept what cannot be denied," said Zithad. "I do
not understand you, Tario, but you are great among men—a
fit mate to Issus."
Tario smiled, but he looked at last upon Ranas Ghol.
"And what say you now, Zumorian? Am I not the master of
the world?"
Ranas Ghol quietly fondled his pink cup. "A master of the
mental arts," he corrected, solemnly. "But one is not the
master of men or of himself until he first masters his emotions.
I chose not to see or hear your hypnotic storm, Tario.
It was a childish demonstration serving only the needs of your
age. When the ego is hungered, fear is at large. You fear
something, Tario. And, well you should."
Slowly, Zithad rose to his feet, looking from Ranas Ghol
to Tario in bewilderment.
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