Thuvia, Maid of Mars · Chapter
III: Treachery explained
Carthoris is dispatched by John Carter to the court of Ptarth to clear his name of suspicion in Thuvia's abduction.
What happens
Carthoris is dispatched by John Carter to the court of Ptarth to clear his name of suspicion in Thuvia's abduction. As he prepares his flier, a scarred slave sabotages the destination compass, setting it to a false location. Carthoris departs, but upon awakening finds himself above a dead city, not Ptarth. Discovering the sabotage, he then hears a scream and sees Thuvia being dragged by a green warrior, and dives to her rescue.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate crisis of faith versus action: Jav’s abject terro…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Loyalty and Betrayal
The scarred slave's sabotage of Carthoris's flier is an act of treachery, while Carthoris remains loyal to his mission and Thuvia.
- Political Intrigue and War
The abduction threatens war between Helium and Ptarth, and Carthoris is sent to prevent conflict while navigating suspicion.
- Adventure and Quest
Carthoris's journey to Ptarth becomes a perilous adventure when his flier is sabotaged, leading him to a dead city and Thuvia's rescue.
Characters to notice
- Carthoris of Helium
Prince of Helium, suspected of abducting Thuvia, sent by his father to Ptarth to prove his innocence.
- Thuvia of Ptarth
Princess of Ptarth, abducted and seen being dragged by a green warrior in the dead city.
- John Carter
Warlord of Mars, Carthoris's father, who orders him to go to Ptarth and offer alliance to Thuvan Dihn.
- Astok of Dusar
Prince of Dusar, initially suspected by Carthoris of the abduction, but alibi provided by fêtes in Dusar.
- Vas Kor
Noble who visited the palace the day before; his arrival is noted as the catalyst for the excitement.
Key passages
“There must be no war between Ptarth and Helium, my son. That you are innocent of the charge that has been placed against you by insinuation, we well know; but Thuvan Dihn must know it well, too.”
John Carter insists that Carthoris must personally convince Thuvan Dihn of his innocence to prevent war.
John Carter's command sets the plot in motion, emphasizing the political stakes.
“The fellow’s thin, cruel lips, and the sword-cut that ran from temple to mouth aroused the suggestion of an unpleasant memory within him.”
Carthoris vaguely recalls the scarred guard but dismisses the thought.
Foreshadows the guard's treachery and hints at a past encounter.
“Who could have done the thing—and why? Carthoris could not hazard even a faint guess.”
Carthoris is baffled by the sabotage of his compass, unable to identify the culprit or motive.
Highlights the mystery and Carthoris's vulnerability.
“Once the woman turned her face upward toward the falling flier, and in the single swift glance Carthoris saw that it was Thuvia of Ptarth!”
Carthoris recognizes Thuvia as the captive being dragged by the green warrior.
Climactic revelation that drives Carthoris into immediate action.
