SWORN SWORD 'Come forward, Tarl Cabot,' said my father, and I stood before his throne of office, feeling the eyes of everyone in the chamber on me. Behind me stood the Older Tarl. I had noted that those blue Viking eyes showed almost no evidence if the previous night. I hated him, briefly.
The Older Tarl was speaking. 'I, Tarl, Swordsman of Ko-ro- ba, give my word that this man is fit to become a member of the High Caste of Warriors.'
My father answered him, speaking in ritual phrases. 'No tower in Ko-ro-ba is stronger than the word of Tarl, this Swordman of our city. I, Matthew Cabot of Ko-ro-ba, accept his word.'
Then, beginning with the lowest tier, each member of the Council spoke in succession, giving his name and pronouncing that he, too, accepted the word of the blond swordsman. When they had finished, my father invested me with the arms which had lain before the throne. About my shoulder he slung the steel sword, fastened on my left arm the round shield, placed in my right hand the spear, and slowly lowered the helmet on my head.
'Will you keep the Code of the Warrior?' asked my father.
'Yes,' I said, 'I will keep the Code.'
'What is your Home Stone?' asked my father.
Sensing what was wanted, I replied, 'My Home Stone is the Home Stone of Ko-ro-ba.'
'Is it to that city that you pledge your life, your honour, your sword?' asked my father.
'Yes,' I said.
'Then,' said my father, placing his hands solemnly on my shoulders, 'in virtue of my authority as Administrator of this city and in the presence of the Council of High Castes, I declare you to be a Warrior of Ko-ro-ba.'
My father was smiling. I removed my helmet, feeling proud as I heard the approval of the Council, both in voice and by Gorean applause, the quick, repeated striking of the left shoulder with the palm of the right hand. Aside from candidates for the status of Warrior, none of my caste was permitted to enter the Council armed. Had they been armed, my caste brothers would have struck their spear blades on their shields. As it was, they smote their shoulders in the civilian manner, more exuberantly perhaps than was compatible with the decorum of that weighty chamber. Somehow I had the feeling they were genuinely proud of me, though I had no idea why. I had surely done nothing to warrant their commendation.
Tarnsman of Gor
KO-LARING MASTER: "Assume the posture of female submission"
slave: kneels back on her heels, arms extended, wrists crossed, her head between them, down.
MASTER: "Repeat after me, i, once *former name of slave*, of *home*"
slave: "this girl, once *former name*, of *former home*"
MASTER: "herewith submit myself, completely and totally, in all things"
slave: "herewith submit herself, completely and totally, in all things"
MASTER: "to him who is now known here as *Masters name & homestone*"
slave: "to him who is now known here as *Masters name & homestone*"
MASTER: "his girl, his slave, an article of His property, His to do with as He pleases"
slave: "His girl, His slave, an article of His property, His to do with as He pleases"
MASTER: takes the collar, shows it to the girl as He reads the inscription read it to her, puts it about her neck and snaps it shut.
MASTER: "I am yours, Master"
slave: "this girl is yours, Master"
MASTER: "What is your name?"
slave: "What ever Master wishes"
MASTER: "I will call you *new name given*"
slave: "this girl is *new name given*"
FREE COMPANION
The person, who is joining the couple, call them together before him, the two kneel at his feet.
-The Joiner then asks
"Is it By the wish of yourselves that the two of you become one, in your love for each other, for your slaves, for your friends/family, for your HomeStone?"-Each of the couple says (Freewoman says line first)
"Yes, It is my wish to be joined to _______(name) of the ________(state caste)"
-The Freeman then speaks. "Yes, It is my wish to be joined to this Freewoman _______(name)".
-The Joiner then says to the Freewoman ( this part has to be spoken from the speakers heart) "Speak why it is you wish to be joined to this Freeman"
-After the Freewoman has spoken hers.
-The Joiner turns and asks the same of the Freeman, he then speaks his.
***this is optional****
-The Joiner then looks to the audience and asks:
" If there is anyone present who feels these two FreePersons should not be joined, please speak now!"-The couple turns and looks over the audience and waits 2 minutes for any responses (if there is a response, the proceedings may end if the problem is a big one , so be for warned)
-The Joiner then asks both of bare there right wrist to him, he then takes a quiva(dagger) and cuts each wrist till blood is drawn, but not too deep don t need one dying in the ceremony ( Males first )
-The Joiner then places the wrists together cut to cut and binds the togther with a red silk scarf -The Joiner then places a goblet of Ka-La-Na into the hands of the bound wrists.
-Each sips from it ( Lady first )
-The Joiner then says
" So it is done. Let it be known to one and all that _________ and ___________ are now joined as one.To Betray, Dishonor, Or Kill one, is to do the same to the other.
I wish you both serenity in the joining, my Friends".
" You may now give it the final seal."
-Both kiss accordingly then turn back to The Joiner
-The Joiner then removes the silk, kisses the Freewoman, and shakes the hand of the Freeman.
-Two slaves then apply healing oil to the cuts.
-The Two walk hand in hand back to the furs and rests upon them , now as One.
******* Best Of Luck to You Both ********
Quotes on the Companion*bride price
-(noun): this fee is one paid by a Free Man to her family, for a Free Woman as he takes her as a Free Companion. If a man free's a slave, the slave's family is bound by honor to grant her to him without bride price.
Book 1: Tarnsman of Gor, page 71*Companionship Price
-(noun): the gift in money or goods given by a man to the father of the woman he wishes to take in Free Companionship
Book 8: Hunters of Gor page 174
*Free Companion
-(noun): spouse; consort
Book 1: Tarnsman of Gor, page 213*Free Companionship
-(noun): the closest equivalent to marriage on Gor. A woman is bought from her parents and is considered a Free Companion, even though she may not have been consulted in the arrangement. A woman, may agree of her own free will to be a Free Companion, and a Master may free his slave for Free Companionship. A man may have only one Free Companion at a time, but the relationship is considered binding, sundered usually, only by death as long as it is annually renewed.. A Gorean free woman does not change her name in the ceremony of the Free Companionship. From the Gorean point of view, the wife of Earth occupies a status which is higher than that of the slave, but lower than that of the Free Companion.
Book 1: Tarnsman of Gor, page 216
Book 2: Outlaw of Gor, page 54
Book 8: Hunters of Gor, page 9
Book 9: Marauders of Gor, page 14
Book 13: Explorers of Gor, pages 365-366
*ubara
-(noun): the Free Companion (consort) of a ubar.
Book 3: Priest Kings of Gor, page 38
Quotes on the Homestone Ceremony of Tharna
*Tharna
-(noun): a harsh and humorless city once ruled by a Tatrix, NE of Corcyrus, located between Ko-ro-ba and the Sardar. The city is well known for it's silver mines. A man who visits in Tharna for more than 10 hours is enslaved. The slaves of Tharna are native-born to the city and there are supposedly no free women. The men of Tharna can be recognized by two yellow cords, thrust over the belt which are presented as part of the Home Stone ceremony. It is said that Lara, the former Tatrix, has now abdicated. The Caste of Poets is outlawed here.
Book 2: Outlaw of Gor, pages 65-70
Book 22: Dancer of Gor, pages 385-386
Book 24: Vagabonds of Gor, page 267-268
*yellow cords, Tharna's
-(noun): all Tharnan men have 2 yellow cords about 18 inches long, commonly worn in their belt. These cords are presented to them as youth's as part of the Home Stone ceremony. They represent the mastery of men, and are suitable for binding a female hand and foot. In the same ceremony, young women are brought into the presence of the Home Stone, though they are not allowed to kiss it as do the men. They are stripped, collared, and bound by the young men. By virture of this ceremony, the females are now counted as slave.
Book 24: Vagabonds of Gor, pages 267-268
