Free Companion
Free companions are the closest thing to a "wife" that a Gorean has. A contract with another free person, usually of the opposite sex, for a period of one year. If not re-avowed on its anniversary, the contract is considered dissolved. Considering the life span of a Gorean is measured in centuries, not years, this is very practical. Free companionships are automatically dissolved if either is enslaved.
A Free Companion instead of a Master
"There is no marriage, as we know it, on Gor, but there is the institution of the Free Companionship, which is its nearest correspondent. Surprisingly enough, a woman who is bought from her parents, for tarns of gold, is regarded as a Free companion, even though she may not have been consulted in the transaction. More commendably, a free woman may herself, of her own free will, agree to be such a companion. and it is not unusual for a master to free one of his slave girls in order that she may share the full privileges of a Free Companionship. One may have, at a given time, an indefinite number of slaves, but only one Free Companion. Such relationships are not entered into lightly, and they are normally sundered only by death." (page 54, Book 2, Outlaw of Gor)
"According to the Gorean way of looking at things a taste of the slave ring is thought to be occasionally beneficial to all women, even the exalted Free Companions. Thus when she has been irritable or otherwise troublesome even a Free Companion may find herself at the foot of the couch looking forward to a pleasant night on the stones, stripped, with neither mat nor blanket, chained to a slavering, precisely as though she were a lowly slave girl. It is the Gorean way of reminding her, should she need to be reminded, that she, too, is a women, and thus to be dominated, to be subject to men. Should she be tempted to forget this basic act of Gorean life the slave ring set in the bottom of each Gorean couch is there to refresh her memory. Gor is a man's world. (page 67, Book 3, Priest Kings of Gor)
"I am advised, Jason," she said, "by certain of my friends to accept a companion." "I did not know that," I said. "Many men, young and rich, have desired to become my companion. Such matches, in many cases, would profitably increase our common holdings. Yet I have until now, at least, turned them all away. I have remained independent." ""Yes, Mistress, I said. "I have seen many companionships," she said. "Yet more often than not I have seen the male companion keep sluts of slave girls on the side, and I think, it is only those sluts he cares for." Her voice was bitter. "Why," she asked, "should a man forsake a noble companion, serene and beautiful, independent and regal, for a slut in a steel collar who will crawl to his feet and beg to lick them with her tongue?" (page 202, Book 14, Fighting Slave of Gor)
Free Compaionship according to John Norman
Free Companionship An agreement between the two individuals must be arranged. The male would contact the female's family, house or protector and offer a Companionship Price. Often this is in the form of golden tarn disks but can be of anything that both Male parties agree to. The payment of the Companionship Price is to be made prior to taking any further steps. A contract is the next step. This would include the Companionship price, length of Companionship which is usually one year, distribution of property and anything needed to guide the relationship. Copies of the Companionship contract is handed to the Female's Representative as well as her family. All parties involved should have such a copy. A ceremony may be performed after the contract has been approved and signed. Normally all that is required is the offering of a cup of kalana, sharing of any written vows, and the removal of the females veils for the first time. This can be done in private or in public. Understand, that as a Free Companion and being female you are technically "owned". You will have rules and orders to follow, and obey.. being a Free Companion does not protect you from being ko`lared. It only states you are property of your Male Companion. Males can chain, unveil or ko`lar their Free Companions on a whim. Normally this is done only in extreme cases and if ko`lared it can be forever, meaning, you would lose all freedom as well as be required to learn the kajirae ways. It solely depends upon the Male, as females are trained from birth to please men. Gor is a Mans World, females are only free because of a males whim, freedom is a gift that can be taken back at any moment.
