The Chessmen of Mars · Chapter
XIV: At Ghek's Command explained
Turan, chained in a cell, learns from fellow prisoner A-Kor that Tara of Helium is held in the Towers of Jetan as a prize for the next games.
What happens
Turan, chained in a cell, learns from fellow prisoner A-Kor that Tara of Helium is held in the Towers of Jetan as a prize for the next games. A-Kor reveals he is the son of O-Tar and the Gatholian princess Haja, making him Turan's cousin. Turan is later led to the throne room of O-Tar, where Tara faces accusations of being a Corphal (witch). U-Thor advises her to deny the charge, and Ghek is also brought before the jeddak.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Tyranny
O-Tar's arbitrary judgment and use of accusations like Corphalism to eliminate political rivals (e.g., A-Kor) highlight the tyranny in Manator, contrasted with U-Thor's appeal to the laws of Manator for fair counsel.
Identity and Disguise
Turan (Gahan of Gathol) conceals his true identity as a panthan, while A-Kor's mixed heritage as son of a slave and a jeddak complicates his status; the revelation of kinship ties underscores hidden identities.
Characters to notice
- Turan
Chained in a cell, chafing in his chains and anxious for Tara's fate; learns from A-Kor that Tara is held in the Towers of Jetan.
- A-Kor
A prisoner chained next to Turan; reveals he is the son of O-Tar and Princess Haja of Gathol, making him Turan's cousin; keeper of the Towers of Jetan.
- Tara of Helium
Held in the Towers of Jetan as a prize for the next games; brought before O-Tar and accused of being a Corphal; denies the charge on U-Thor's advice.
- O-Tar
The jeddak of Manator; presides over the judgment of Tara and Ghek; accuses Tara of being a Corphal and seeks to rid himself of A-Kor.
- Ghek
The kaldane prisoner; dragged before O-Tar and accused of using strange powers to deceive warriors.
- U-Thor
The jed of Manatos; advises Tara to deny the charge of Corphalism, showing a willingness to assist her.
Key passages
“Turan the panthan chafed in his chains. Time dragged; silence and monotony prolonged minutes into hours. Uncertainty of the fate of the woman he loved turned each hour into an eternity of hell.”
Turan, bound in chains, suffered from the slow passage of time and the agonizing uncertainty about the woman he loved, making every moment feel like an endless torment.
Highlights Turan's emotional anguish and love for Tara.
“I am A-Kor the dwar, keeper of The Towers of Jetan. I am here because I dared speak the truth of O-Tar the jeddak, to one of his officers.”
A-Kor explains he is the keeper of the Towers of Jetan and was imprisoned for speaking truthfully about O-Tar to an officer.
Reveals A-Kor's role and the reason for his imprisonment.
“The laws of Manator are just, said O-Tar, addressing her; thus is it that you have been summoned here again to be judged by the highest authority of Manator.”
O-Tar claims the laws of Manator are just and that Tara has been brought before him for judgment by the highest authority.
Shows O-Tar's hypocritical invocation of justice while acting tyrannically.