Chapter 13 – Condemned to Torture and Death opens with La, the High Priestess of Opar, facing a difficult decision after her men capture Tarzan. Instead of immediately executing him, she decides to subject him to torture and sacrifice, offering him to the Flaming God. La’s internal struggle is evident, as her feelings towards Tarzan are complex, filled with resentment, admiration, and a deep, unspoken love. Her emotions are a tangled mix of duty and desire, leading her to hesitate in condemning him to a gruesome death. Meanwhile, her priests prepare the sacrificial altar, an ancient structure that ties the city of Opar to rituals long forgotten. These rituals, although still followed, feel disconnected from the present, revealing the city’s deep history and the stark contrast between its past and the current world La navigates.

Tarzan, in captivity, exhibits remarkable strength and resilience, refusing to succumb to fear despite the imminent threat of death. His calm demeanor contrasts sharply with La’s emotional turmoil, as she struggles to reconcile her personal feelings with her role as High Priestess. Although she prepares the altar for the sacrifice, her resolve begins to waver as her feelings for Tarzan surface. Her heart and mind are at war, and she finds herself unable to follow through with the brutal act. Even as she issues orders for the sacrifice, her internal conflict grows, demonstrating the deep complexity of her character. La’s duties as a leader clash with the affection she holds for Tarzan, showing the battle between love and loyalty to her people.

The tension in the chapter escalates with the threat of Tarzan’s impending execution, as La’s priests carry out the savage customs of Opar. The brutality of their religion is made even more evident by the stark contrast to Tarzan’s understanding of life and death, shaped by his connection to the jungle and its inhabitants. La, caught between her position as the High Priestess and her feelings for Tarzan, struggles to maintain control over her emotions. Her ultimate decision to spare him, choosing to execute him quickly rather than through torture, reveals the depth of her inner conflict. However, as La prepares to carry out the execution, her resolve falters once again, and she is unable to go through with it. Her love for Tarzan ultimately overpowers her duty, complicating the situation and setting the stage for a dramatic shift.

In a surprising twist, the arrival of Tantor, the elephant, summoned by Tarzan’s call for help, completely alters the course of events. La, realizing that Tarzan had been planning his own rescue, decides to release him, motivated by both her growing affection for him and the realization that her actions are guided by emotions rather than duty. Tantor’s arrival causes chaos, as the elephant’s rampage forces both Tarzan and La into a dangerous situation. The wild frenzy of the jungle becomes evident once again, illustrating the unpredictability of nature and the fine line between ally and adversary. The characters, once separated by clear lines of conflict, now find themselves thrust together by the wild forces around them.

The chapter ends with Tarzan and La finding temporary refuge from Tantor’s destructive path. Their brief safety emphasizes the enduring bond between Tarzan and the creatures of the jungle, who often act in unpredictable ways. La’s complex character is further revealed as she grapples with her conflicting roles as a leader and a woman torn by love and duty. Her actions, fueled by emotion rather than reason, set the stage for future struggles, as she faces the growing conflict between her responsibilities to her people and her personal desires for Tarzan. The emotional and physical landscapes continue to intersect, with La’s choices leading to further complications, and the jungle’s chaotic forces forcing the characters into new and unexpected directions.