Back to Thavas explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Identity and Body Transfer

  Central to the chapter as characters undergo brain transfers and restoration, exploring the relationship between identity and physical form.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Vad Varo risks his life to restore Valla Dia, motivated by love; Valla Dia's gratitude and affection underscore the theme.

• Power and Corruption

  Xaxa's tyranny and the manipulation of bodies for political and personal gain highlight the corrupting influence of power.

Characters to notice

• Valla Dia

  Restored to her own body after the brain transfer; expresses gratitude and affection to Vad Varo.

• Dar Tarus

  Restored to his own body; assists Vad Varo and comments on his own appearance.

• Gor Hajus

  Present as an interested spectator during the operations and part of the group returning to Thavas.

• Xaxa

  Bound and gagged; her brain is returned to her old body; attempts to escape and is secured.

• Sag Or

  Restored to life and bound; shows disgust and hostility toward Vad Varo.

• Hovan Du

  Assists with food and water; communicates with great apes using their language.

Key passages

• “I will not bore you with a description of it⁠—it was but a repetition of what I had done many times in preparation for this very event.”

  The operation was routine, having been performed many times before.

  Vad Varo downplays the complexity of the brain transfer procedure.

• “For those two words I had risked my life and faced unknown dangers, and gladly would I risk my life again for that same reward and always, forever.”

  Valla Dia's simple words 'my chieftain' made all the risks worthwhile.

  Vad Varo reflects on the emotional reward of his dangerous mission.

• “By my first ancestor, it must be that I was the least vain of fellows, for I give you my word I had no idea that I was so fair to look upon.”

  Dar Tarus jokes that he never realized how handsome his own body was.

  Dar Tarus comments on his restored appearance with humor.