In the particular instance from which this is taken, Cabot was formally re-branding and collaring the girl Vella, formerly Elizabeth Cardwell of Earth. She had betrayed him, which had resulted in his being convicted of a crime which he did not commit and being sentenced to living death in the salt mines of Klima. Upon his escape he captured Vella, and beat her for the offense of not being pleasing to him in the performance of her slave duties. He administered 20 lashes to her with the five-strap Gorean slave whip, then prepared to brand her... (This part of the ceremony is usually performed only when a freewoman is reduced to slavery for the first time, or if she already wears a brand and her new Master wishes to re-brand her). In this, the first part of the full ceremony, the Master ties the new slave up and carries her to the house branding chamber, securing her in the branding rack. The branding rack is a device rather like an X-shaped table, with either snap-bracelets (manacles) for her wrists and ankles at the ends of the X, or metal rings set into the wood so her wrists and ankles might be secured with binding fiber. A removable vise-like clamp fitted with spinning twist handles to adjust the tension can be attached to the left leg platform, to hold the slave's left thigh motionless during the actual branding. He holds up the heated branding iron, white hot, for the slave's inspection. "You will soon be branded, girl," he tells her. As soon as all is in readiness, he holds the smoking iron above her left thigh and says: "You are now to be branded, slave girl." He then brands her, holding the iron and pressing it firmly into her skin for five full Ihn (seconds), then swiftly and cleanly removing it. He examines the mark closely, hoping that it was clean and deep enough to create an excellent brand. It is common Gorean practice to allow the slave the luxury of screaming, since it is in effect her final act as free person. Sometimes assistants are standing by with small vials of oil and salve, which they now dab onto the brand to reduce chance of infection and promote faster healing. The Master then frees her from the rack and throws her to the floor...her throat is bare, not yet collared. (This part of the ceremony may be performed even if the slave has not been re-branded, as in the case where a slave is purchased by a new master or otherwise changes hands). "Assume the posture of female submission," he orders. She kneels, leaning back on her heels, her arms extended, wrists crossed, her head between them, down. "Repeat after me," he tells her. "I, once (her name) of (her home city or town, or of Earth)..." She repeats this. "..herewith submit myself, completely and totally, in all things..." She repeats this. "...to him who is known as (his name) of (his city)..." She repeats this. "...his girl, his slave, an article of his property, his to do with as he pleases." She repeats this. He then produces the collar. If it is engraved with his name or an inscription, he reads it to her, making sure that she understands what it says and means. He places it about her neck and snaps it shut with a click. "I am yours, Master," he says. "I am yours, Master," she repeats. At this point, any freepersons in attendance will typically congratulate the Master on his new slave. When this is done, the new Master will usually ask the slave the following three questions: "Who were you?" he asks. She tells him her former name. "What are you?" he asks. "I am your slave, Master," she says. "What is your name?" he asks. "Whatever Master wishes," she answers. The Master will then, if it pleases him to do so, bestow upon the girl her new slave-name, which can be taken from her or changed at any time, according to his whim. "You are (new slave-name)," he tells her. "Yes, Master. I am (new slave-name)," she says. |
