# A Risk for Love explained — The Chessmen of Mars

> Chapter companion for The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Gahan risks his life to scale the tower where Tara is imprisoned, determined to speak with her and give her hope. He encounters I-Gos, who reveals his change of heart and offers friendship. After a tense confrontation with a eunuch guard, Tara kills the guard and Gahan reassures her of a rescue plan, sharing a kiss before departing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Gahan risks his life scaling the tower and Tara kills a guard to protect him, demonstrating their willingness to sacrifice for each other.

### Courage and Resilience

Both Gahan and Tara show immense bravery in the face of danger, with Gahan's daring climb and Tara's decisive action against the eunuch.

## Character check-ins

### Gahan of Gathol

Scales the tower to reach Tara, confronts I-Gos, and pledges to rescue Tara from O-Tar.

### Tara of Helium

Imprisoned in the tower, she kills a eunuch guard and receives hope from Gahan.

### I-Gos

Reveals his admiration for Gahan and Tara, offers friendship, and advises against killing O-Tar.

### O-Tar

Lies insensible from fright after Gahan's scream; his death would endanger Tara.

## Key lines

> I will find a way, I-Gos. There is no way, replied the old man.

Gahan insists he can rescue Tara despite I-Gos's certainty that it's impossible.

_Highlights Gahan's determination against all odds._

> One kiss, he said, before I go, my princess, and the proud daughter of Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, and The Warlord of Barsoom whispered: My chieftain! and pressed her lips to the lips of Turan, the common panthan.

Gahan asks for a kiss, and Tara, despite her royal status, willingly kisses him, the common soldier.

_Emphasizes their love transcending social ranks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-a-risk-for-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters