Item Biography
"The Master Assassin of Mars-- Chapter 4: The Valiant Die But Once!"
Attendees of the great hall fall silent in reverence to the Jeddak, Chan Tomar, preening in public with his consort, the lovely Dejah Thoris. John is appalled by the sight of Dejah, festooned with feathers and jewellery to resemble an Orovar woman.
Chan takes full advantage, and twists the knife deeper by forcing Dejah to show outward affection to him for the benefit of those assembled.
Walking back from the lewd parade, JC is attacked by a gaggle of winged men, keen on revenge for the death of their brethren at John's hands recently. John holds his own, but is brought down by weight of numbers. Carter comes close to having his throat cut when Garthon, John's only friend in this unrelenting city, steps in to save his hide.
Dejah tries to improvise new ways of rejecting Chan Tomar's advances in his private quarters, but he's in no mood for excuses.
Back in Garthon's garden, the lad begins to tell John of his people's history. From before the ruination of Mars, and then them founding this great cavern city of Karanthor.
Advance warning comes of an invasion attack from another warring race, the Ptothians. The Orovars do what they do best when there's a horde of barbarians at the gate... they fight for their lives to the very last drop of blood.