Read Online John Carter by Stuart Moore - Free Book Online Page B

“What in the name of Issus is going on?”
    Four Tharks held Carter, who struggled in tight bindings. Sarkoja stood above the kneeling Sola and Dejah Thoris, brandishing a sword in triumph.
    â€œIssus has been profaned,” Sarkoja said. “We found these ones plotting in the temple.”
    Tars stared down at Dejah Thoris. “In the temple?”
    â€œSola led them there.”
    Carter watched as Tars’s gaze turned to Sola, and a horrible, pained look crossed the Jeddak’s face.
    â€œNo,” Carter said. “Sola tried to stop us. I meant no disrespect to your goddess, Tars.”
    Sarkoja pressed her blade against Carter’s neck. “Your ‘right arm’ was planning to rob you of the medallion, my Jeddak. He planned to take it down the River Iss to use it for greater blasphemy.”
    â€œI’m just tryin’ to get home!” Carter cried.
    Tal Hajus came up behind Tars Tarkas, surveying the scene coldly. “They must all die,” he said. “In the arena.”
    Tars reached forward with one arm and shoved Sarkoja aside. He hoisted Carter up in the air with two more arms and carried the Earthman away from the others, to a corner of the tent.
    â€œHow could you do this?” Tars’s fourth hand clamped down hard on Carter’s throat and began to strangle him. “I spared your life, made you Dotar Sojat. Yet her life means nothing to you!”
    The Thark’s voice was bitter, disgusted…and tinged with an odd, hopeless sadness.
    â€œYou knew,” Tars continued. “You knew she had no room for another mark. Now Sola will die because of you.”
    â€œShe’s—” Carter gasped for breath. “She’s your daughter, isn’t she?”
    The Jeddak’s face lit up with shock and guilt. He hefted Carter again, moved him even farther away from the others, and slammed him up against a rock. Still bound, Carter was helpless to resist.
    â€œWho told you that?” Tars kept his voice low. “A Thark has no parent but the horde.”
    â€œCall it a father’s intuition.” Carter glanced down at the bands on his own, bound hand. “But how do you know? That she’s your daughter, I mean?”
    â€œHer mother kept her egg. Sola is the last flicker of our ancient greatness.”
    Carter pointed to Tars’s medallion. “Then you can’t just stand by and let her be killed—”
    Suddenly Tars grabbed Carter up by the throat again. When the Thark whirled around, Carter saw why: Tal Hajus and Sarkoja had crept up behind them, straining to hear the hushed exchange.
    Tars Tarkas faced Sarkoja directly. “You are correct. My right arms have offended me. It falls to me to cut them off.”
    Then he leaned forward and spoke with all the force of a Thark Jeddak. “Leave us.”
    Tal and Sarkoja filed out, casting suspicious glances back.
    When they were gone, Tars Tarkas pulled out his knife. As he raised it, Carter had a horrible moment of fear and doubt. Had he overplayed his hand? Would the Jeddak really kill Carter to keep secret the truth about Sola?
    Then Tars cut his bonds. Carter was free.
    Sola and Dejah moved in to join them. “You must hurry,” Tars said, pointing to the tent’s rear flap.
    Dejah took Carter’s arm. “Thank you, Jeddak—”
    â€œOne condition.” Tars unhooked the medallion, handing it to Carter. “Take Sola with you down the River Iss.”
    Sola gasped. When Tars turned to her, his voice was oddly…human.
    â€œI’d rather you died in the arms of the Goddess than become food for wild banths in a Thark arena.” Tars turned solemnly to Carter. “From this moment, Sola serves under Dotar Sojat. Where you go, she goes.”
    Carter nodded, then gestured toward the tent’s front flap. “What about Sarkoja and Tal Hajus? What will they do to you?”
    â€œLeave a Thark his head and his