CHAPTER IV -Thuvia, Maid of Mars

When Thuvia of Ptarth awakens on the craft of her abductors, she notices a transformation in their attire, now bearing the insignia of Helium rather than Dusar, sparking hope for her safety under the presumed custody of Carthoris of Helium. Despite her inquiries, her captors remain secretive about their intentions. They arrive at a deserted Martians city, hinting at the clandestine nature of their mission. Thuvia is familiar with such ruins, having encountered them in her past adventures. Held in a decaying palace, she overhears her captors discussing plans to lure another into their trap, revealing the orchestrations behind her capture.

On the third night, Thuvia is left in the plaza as bait, amidst the haunting possibilities of the city’s past and the very real danger of Martians’ wild beasts. Unexpectedly, a Green Martian, Thar Ban, seizes this moment to capture Thuvia, dragging her away just as a mysterious flier pursues them. Carthoris, aboard the flier and determined to rescue Thuvia, engages with Dusarian warriors who’ve deceitfully donned Helium’s insignia. Despite injuring Carthoris, they fail to stop him from chasing Thar Ban.

Carthoris’s flier is damaged in the altercation, reducing his speed drastically and eventually leading to a crash landing. Continuing on foot, he follows Thar Ban’s trail into the hills and mountains bordering the dead sea-bottoms of Mars. The unfamiliar terrain offers no clues, and Carthoris’s pursuit seems futile until he spots a banth, a Martian lion, possibly tracking the same prey. He decides to follow the banth, hoping it will lead him to Thuvia and her captor. However, the creature mysteriously vanishes near a cliffside, leaving Carthoris baffled until he discovers a hidden cave entrance, suggesting a new lead in his relentless pursuit.

Throughout, the narrative is imbued with the mystery and danger of an alien landscape, the steadfast courage of Carthoris, and the eerie beauty of Mars’s ancient ruins. This chapter not only moves the plot forward by deepening the intrigue surrounding Thuvia’s abduction but also showcases the enduring themes of valor, perseverance, and the unknown that are central to the Martian tales.