Free Vs. Slave
(The Issue of Companionship)

A point/counterpoint by Cormerius and Nyre

The Point By Cormerius

By definition alone the descriptions of free women vary throughout the lands of Gor. In many areas of this world that Norman created from the plains of Turia to the Far Northern lands of Torvaldsland we find descriptions of free women and the descriptions do not include veils of concealment nor do they include such finery as slippers an heavy robes of concealment. Additionally, many free women receive rudimentary training in the special dances of their villages and in basic feminine positions such as kneeling; so that in the event they are ever reduced to slavery their Masters may find some small bit of worth in the woman`s rudimentary skills and allow her to live in addition to potentially continuing and refining her training.

At times the only difference between a free woman and a slave is a collar and brand. A free woman has no special right to motherhood or special treatments from her free companion and in many instances the bridal contract is less extensive than the paperwork filed to track the date and lineage of a woman reduced to slavery. In fact the more often a slave is sold the more cumbersome the paperwork becomes as the paper trail of her former Masters grows longer while the bridal contract is of a finite length. A free woman many not be proud to be standing amongst men at the Curulean waiting her turn at the auction block as a slave might be, but, under the watchful eye of the auctioneer and the kiss of a slave whip she will display well and command a fair price.

Trying to differentiate between a slave and free woman in most circumstances is at best a crap shoot since many women who claim to have been free for eternity are nothing more than slaves who have affected their Masters heart and been allowed to claim freedom by having their collars removed, but, still the telltale brand of a slave remains hidden under the so-called robes of concealment.

Should anyone choose to review the status and attitudes of free women in comparison with that of slaves I would point to the fifth book in Norman's series called "Assassin".

Approximately two thirds of the way thru the book is a very descriptive section regarding slaves being sold in the Curulean with specific references made to free women who attended the slave auction for various reasons. I point you to this book because it specifically references that at the height of the audiences passion, which was induced by the heated and sexually appealing display of barbarian slaves, that women were noted as pushing aside their veils and publicly seeking the affectionate embraces of men. Men were also noted to be facestripping the free women and passionately embracing them during the auction as well.

Therefore I suggest that anyone who tells you that free women are chaste and publicly deny their sexuality look deeper into Norman's works. What you will find is that not only are free women used in public, they are quite capable of displaying passionate responses of their own.

The kajira has been stripped of all her facades and defense mechanisms. She stands before men as nothing more than a pleasantly appealing female. She doesn't hide her beauty behind robes and veils. She doesn't carry poison needles and daggers pretending to be able to defend herself against a determined mans attack. She stands alone as the female that she is, a needy lustful creature that craves the touch of a strong man. A kajira will hardly ever if at all respond favorably to the attentions of a free woman, in fact, in most instances combining the two females in one environment has the potential for explosiveness.

In the final part of my "point" for this month you will see the question raised as to who makes a more suitable companion for men. This is merely the closing rambling of a partially insane man who feels that men make their own choice in life irregardless of what women would like to think.

"Who makes a more suitable companion free or slave"

The deciding factor in choosing a slave over a free woman comes down to the individual male. Is he strong enough to be able to direct and maintain control of a brazen needy and lustful wench or is he a man who seeks or needs the more subdued companionship of one who has never felt the full depths of desire rise to the surface as she serves men. In the final analysis as with all things Gorean; it is a harsh an unforgiving world where a man chooses whatever it is that pleases him regardless of the female desires.

Be well.

Cormerius

Copyright © January 2000

Free Vs Slave

Counter-Point Written By Nyre

" Your daughter, Talena, is alive." I said to Marlenus. He had not asked and did not now appear to have much interest in the matter. Still, if he was human at all, I assumed this remote, kingly, dream-obsessed man would want to know.

"She would have brought a thousand tarns," Said Marlenus. "Proceed with the impalement."

............"She is your daughter." I said to Marlenus. "She is alive."

"Did she submit to you?" asked Marlenus.

"Yes," I said.

"Then she valued her life more then my honor."

The Ubar went to his daughter and took her fine head in his great hands. He turned her head from side to side and looked in her eyes. "Yes, he said, as if he might have seen his daughter for the first time, "she is fit to be the daughter of a Ubar." Then he clapped his hands on my shoulders. "See that I have grandsons," he said.

Talena looked into my eyes. "What will you do with me?" she asked.

"I will take you to Ko-ro-Ba", I said, "to my city".

"As your slave?" she smiled.

"If you will have me," I said, "as my Free Companion."

"I accept you, Tarl of Ko-ro-ba, " said Talena with love in her eyes. "I accept you as my Free companion".

"If you did not," I laughed, " I would throw you across my saddle and carry you to Ko-ro-ba by force."

....I had untied her ankles and flung her single garment to the streets below, to show her people what had been the fate of the daughter of their Ubar.

{Tarnsman of Gor}

The love of a man, that surely does not understand the full potential of being that of Gor. Perhaps, because he was raised on earth with regards to a conditioned society. His education very recent, from a counter-earth so unlike his own home. His heart in the hands of the daughter of a Ubar, once looked upon by her father with no honor as she chose submission before death. Yet Marlenus clearly forgives her for such actions.

You are probably asking what has this do to with a debate permeating between free and slave? When will she get to her point? Due time. Please read on with patience.

The attire of a free woman is renowned for its many layers. Veils of five that grace over one another, from silk to thick concealing material to hide the face of a woman. The brocaded robes, of clasps and loops, high collared to the slender necks. High boots, or satin slippers to adorn slender feet, of the mothers, and sisters, and companions of the men of Gor. That of slave, reflects on which discipline she has been given. From kettle girl, to perhaps accountant, would be the foundation to her clothing. From nothing but the steel around her throat to the appeal of silks fashioned in sexual magnetic form. The very opposite to the free woman.

In public forums, a free woman would be required to attend for the needs of food, and clothing. Items from market to supply her household, and valuable interests she may wish to pursue. The slaves often in the streets, sometimes together with other kajira from households have been casually spotted as they were taken openly in the street by men of Gor, who so desired that which they wanted. This being an aspect of the fantasy Norman created, for slaves were permitted to be sexual exhibitionists, and free women were required to maintain a very lady like demeanor on matters of sexuality. Perhaps even a wall of disgust. Note I said wall. One in which she could, merely by covering her face remember her own nights with a loved mate. A free woman if companioned would please only one man. This undertaking would not cause conflict with his ability to master. A slave is deemed property, a stool, table, whatever appropriate situation that the men or man who owned her was pleased by.

The fact that a Gorean fellow could head to the local paga tavern in which to have a drink, with friends before returning to his household for the night is a given in the books. He could purchase a paga, and with that he would receive use of a slave. A free woman was a mate, based on a contract in which her family might, or might not consult her . It was renewed yearly with the taking of wine. I imagine that having the ratio of 40 free women to one slave was for several reasons. First, because it pleased men to have it that way. Secondly, many a fellow companioned to continue his lineage, and to have a woman abide over his household affairs, while still partaking of slave, or slaves at his whim. I can not help but think a free woman was required to continue the growth of such a world, where a slave was deemed scenery in which to partake.

A slave would serve all free, always aware that if her serve was not pleasing, her sale, or other means of disposal or discipline including death would be her reward. A free woman would approach her devotion to her companion by ensuring harmony in his home, small details meticulously overseen with efficiency and complete diligence. The free woman had more to offer then a slave, she has the option of independent thought. The capabilities of each woman well defined, both able to please men, in such unique ways.

We cannot as free women abide the characteristics of what a book dictates. We acknowledge and recognize we are not frigid, and unable to please the mates we have companioned to in a sexual aspect. However, we remain silent of such issues. The discussion of such open sexuality from a free woman would be listened and simply labeled as one dirtied by such blatancy. It does not discount that she could indeed be able to fulfil all that a male would require in his bed, and his home. So perhaps a different approach than the permitted exhibition of a slave girl, nonetheless needed and wanted in much the same fashion.

The purpose of the above quote was for one reason alone, that contradictions are ample in fiction, as an author draws a reader in to create magnanimous settings, and plots developed for his characters. The truth of Tarl and Talena is that she indeed succumbs to slavery yet again in the series. We the reader, have taken value and meaning from such work attaining the ethos, and fundamentals. We are however still human living in the only world provided to us. How can we expect the stories of Gor to role model the lives we live, the commitments we have vowed, on earth. We often err, we often hurt, and demand answers for questions that sometimes can not be answered in such black and white metaphors. The beauty of life is in the abstract and the ability to change your destiny by your own will. The honesty of who we are in nature and the relationships we can achieve have been paramount in Norman`s work, and that I respect. It is by choice what a man wishes, free or slave. He has discovered this fact through Norman`s Gor. As a friend of mine put it in words better then I could,"slaves on earth are free in many ways that they would not be on Gor, they choose to kneel at the feet of men. Men choose to own them, or not."

I wish you well, Goreans.

Nyre Copyright © January 2000

That friend is none other then Longinius, of Silk&steel.

I thank him for his insight on the matters of companionship