Ah, When Trees Attack. At least they don't have banjos.
Funnily enough, I'm listening to "You're My Best Friend" while writing this. The Power of Friendship indeed.
Finally got my bike trainer, but I'm pretty sure I can't read while using it; too busy trying not to have a heart attack. Have to try out the audiobook tomorrow.
No time for cheerful reunions, unfortunately; Atop a Mountain of Corpses, they take advantage of this brief pause in the battle and flee for nearby cliffs, hoping to find a better location. Tars Tarkas sends John ahead to scout, and he puts his Earthly strength to good use.
The cliffs, closer and in better light, are shot through with gold and gems, fabulous but currently irrelevant wealth; what does catch his eye are the caves at treetop height.
Unfortunately, Martians are lousy climbers; John remarks that there are no trees or mountains for practice. They don't have a lot of choice though, as Tars Tarkas is fast approaching, and the monsters approaching faster. They make for the trees, their only hope.
- He remarks that the green Martians dislike flight, and wonders at Tars love of life; John has Dejah Thoris first and foremost on his mind, but Tars?
- Sola?
John sends Tars Tarkas up ahead and charges the nearest plant man, to give Tars time to climb. The plant man is cunning, however, and disarms John, tackling him to the ground. John is winning, but It Got Worse; the plant men's backup? The great white apes; which John admits (slightly) frighten even him.
He throws his opponent from him as Tars Tarkas drops from the tree to aid him. Pushed against the tree, Tars spots a small opening in the tree; he insists John enter while Tars covers him, so at least one person will survive, and he's too large to enter quickly. John refuses to abandon his friend, and counters by insisting that Tars go first, as John can cover him as he does so, and retreat quickly because of his small size.
- Pair of great lines, I think;
- "It was ever your way, John Carter, to think last of your own life," he said; "but still more your way to command the lives and actions of others, even to the greatest of Jeddaks who rule upon Barsoom."
- "If you fail, John Carter," he said, "know that the cruel and heartless Thark, to whom you taught the meaning of friendship, will come out to die beside you."
The monsters redouble their efforts, and John is almost overwhelmed before Tars Tarkas grabs him by the ankles and yanks him into the tree.
- For a moment it's a tug of war with a plant man. Until John stabs it, anyway.
Seems to be a siege, then. The tree, based on it's flat floor, might have been a dwelling at some time. The rough ladder and stairs, seen as his eyes adjust, might be another clue. He quickly (it's a five hundred foot tree) scouts the top as Tars covers the entrance; the branch is a well worn walkway leading to the caves. They ascend and pull the ladder up with them. He mentions that they later found it to both save them and provide an escape.
- It's strange; it's not so much foreshadowing as blatant Spoilers, but somehow it doesn't seem bad.
The branch bends too far under their combined weight, so John borrows a long strap from Tars Tarkas, and lowers it down for him from the cave.
They explore the cave, finding a constructed, though unlit, tunnel inside. Groping through the dark, they find a dimly lit apartment.
The door locks behind them. That's probably not good. Neither is the EvilLaughter, I would assume.
