The Master Mind of Mars · Chapter
Xaxa explained
The protagonist, Gor Hajus, and Hovan Du are brought before Xaxa, the Jeddara of Phundahl.
What happens
The protagonist, Gor Hajus, and Hovan Du are brought before Xaxa, the Jeddara of Phundahl. After being disarmed, Hovan Du creates a diversion by seizing Sag Or and escaping through a window. The protagonist and Gor Hajus hide behind a statue in a chamber, overhearing priests of the Great Tur, and later discover a secret passage leading to a room where they find Xaxa's body and a brain in a vat.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Body Transfer
Xaxa's body is revealed to be that of Valla Dia, with Xaxa's brain transferred into it, highlighting the theme of identity and body transfer.
Power and Corruption
Xaxa's tyrannical rule and the use of body transfer to maintain power illustrate the corruption of authority.
Love and Sacrifice
The protagonist's love for Valla Dia drives him to risk everything, including his life, to restore her to her own body.
Characters to notice
- Xaxa
Jeddara of Phundahl, seated behind a massive table, orders the removal of weapons and later commands the protagonists be taken to the pits.
- Gor Hajus
Accompanies the protagonist, hesitates to disarm but follows his lead, and later hides with him behind the statue.
- Hovan Du
Performs for Xaxa, then creates a diversion by seizing Sag Or and escaping through a window, speaking as the 'Great Ape of Ptarth.'
- Sag Or
The noble for whom Dar Tarus's body was taken; he is seized by Hovan Du and carried off during the escape.
- Dar Tarus
Mentioned as the one who lost his body and liberty to Sag Or; the protagonist hopes to recover his body.
- Valla Dia
Her face and figure appear in repainted portraits of Xaxa; the protagonist's love for her drives his mission.
Key passages
“We were led through an intricate maze of corridors and chambers until I became suspicious that we were purposely being confused, and convinced that whether such was the intention or not the fact remained that I could no more have retraced my steps to the outer courtyard than I could have flown without wings.”
The group is deliberately led through a confusing labyrinth, making it impossible to find their way back.
Highlights the disorientation and entrapment within the palace.
“There were also numerous paintings of what appeared to be court scenes delineating members of the Phundahlian royal line in various activities; it was noticeable that the more recent ones in which Xaxa appeared had had the principal figure repainted so that there confronted me from time to time portraits, none too well done, of the beautiful face and figure of Valla Dia in the royal trappings of a Jeddara.”
Recent portraits of Xaxa have been repainted to show Valla Dia's face and body, indicating the body transfer.
Foreshadows the revelation that Xaxa now inhabits Valla Dia's body.
“I go, but let harm befall my friends and I shall return and tear the heart from Xaxa. Tell her that, from the Great Ape of Ptarth.”
Hovan Du threatens Xaxa that he will return to kill her if his friends are harmed.
Demonstrates Hovan Du's loyalty and the blending of his human and ape natures.