Our Time In Rarn

originally posted March 9, 2006

Rarn is much what you would expect it to be, not unlike many of the free cities of Gor too far afield to be afflicted much by hegemony. I suspect with the Caravan stopped here for a few days, the city is a little livelier. Were it not aside one of Gor's major highways, The Pilgrim Road, I suspect Rarn might be a sleepy, if prosperous, town. Copper is mined here. The men who do the work are honest sorts that put in long hours. Their slave girls are randy little bitches who have the run of the streets much of the day. I do not infer that there is no discipline in Rarn or disparage her men in any way. Different cities enjoy a different sort of girl. The flavors of the world are sweet in one corner and savory in another. Some offer a bland lick, while still others are positively cloying. I do not mind them, for the record. I am sure they please their Masters and that is really what matters.

I am content to wait for the Caravan to push north for two reasons. First, I am weighted down with five silver eighty pieces each night Emily dances the sands of the Pilgrim's Respite Tavern. Secondly, the further north we travel, at least until we arrive at our destination, the more dangerous it would be to travel in small, scattered groups. Far better to take advantage of the economies of Guardsmen. While a palanquin borne free woman might have a retinue of ten hired men and a Slaver with two Wagons might employ thirty, those fellows deter incursion for the group as a whole; not just for their employers. Certainly, I have found Mathor to be reliable and quick with his sword arm on this trip, moreso than any of the women in my party realize, but I would rather not tax the fellow overmuch. He has been an invaluable asset.

I have started to cast the play that deals with The Second Knowledge. The leading role, of course, goes to a slave girl. Other parts, too, I think might go to such. As a barbarian once said to me and I did not understand at the time, 'smoke 'em if you got 'em'. Indeed, I own several little actresses. The only difficulty will be casting a male lead. They are a vain bunch. They are not above working with slave girls, of course, as many parts in the theater might be filled by slaves. They are extremely inexpensive to employ and many stories include them regardless. Still, there are few actors, I think, that would take a diminished role to a slave on the stage. Locutius, fiery presence that he is, the lead in the Vennan run of 'Fall of Agamedes' would not, I think, deign to accept such a role. My last correspondence with Vesutto, some time ago, informs me that Locutius has enthralled the resort city, second home to many of Glorious Ar's elite. I had decided, however, that the third run would be the last in Venna. I had other, bigger, plans for that play. It will be good to see Vesutto again.