Tara, daughter of the John Carter, Warlord of Mars, has been endowed with all of her father’s bravery and strength, but less than enough of his wisdom. To escape the ill-received advances of Gahan, Jed of Gathol, she takes her flyer into a storm which strands her in a strange land and with no bearing to lead her home. But the spurned love of Gahan impels him to seek after her and ensure her safety.His devotion is thoroughly tested when he is forced to play the pawn of a horrific game of chess and do battle to claim the tournament’s prize: the Princess Tara. But even the victory of a champion cannot sate the bloodlust of the men of Manator, whose thirst can only be quenched with the blood of their coward king.