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In order to assure the continuance of the family line as well as the financial
security and well-being of her household, every Gorean Free Woman is expected
to be willing to subject herself to the rigors of a politically motivated
free companionship. In such a case, the family of the would-be female
companion is typically presented with a pre-arranged "bride price"
upon conclusion of such a union. Often the dowries of such wealthy females
can be quite high, and the bride price which is required to attain such
a companionship reflects that fact: before her enslavement, Talena, the
daughter of the Ubar Marlenus of Ar, was said to be worth a thousand tarns...
many high-born ladies can expect to bring as much as even one hundred
tarns, which is a substantial addition to any city's tarn cavalry. |