Impetuous and headstrong is Tara, Princess of Helium and daughter of John Carter.
Tara meets Prince Gahan of Gathol, and is initially unimpressed, viewing him as something of a popinjay.
Later she takes her flier into a storm and loses control of the craft, and the storm carries her to an unfamiliar region of Barsoom.
After landing and fleeing from a pack of ferocious Banths (Martian lions), she is captured by the horrific Kaldanes, who resemble large heads with small, crab-like legs.
The Kaldanes have bred a symbiotic race of headless human-like creatures called Rykors, which they can attach themselves to and ride like a horse.
While imprisoned, Tara manages to win over one of the Kaldanes, Ghek, with her lovely singing voice.