From slave to tatrix

"I was raised as a slave girl," says Tatrix Sidona, who served in the war camp until she was sold to a man from Turia. "I never knew my mother nor my father."

Her new Master eventually moved to Ar and became Ubar.

A new life begins
"I was released from the collar shortly after reaching Ar," she said. "I then moved to the City of Tharna with a woman who took me in and cared for me like a sister."

Her new friend was the Tatrix of Tharna. But shortly after Sidona arrived, the Tatrix left the city and the role of Tatrix was thrust upon the former slave girl.

"She left so shortly after taking me to Tharna that I was placed unready into the position of Tatrix," Sidona said. "I have suffered and made many mistakes, and learned the errors of my ways. I had to learn on my own and am still learning today how to rule such a large city on My own."

A few mistakes
The new Tatrix at first allowed the Free Women in her home to spar, never realizing this could bring a different type of steel to them, around their necks.

"I had a bad habit of traveling around without my guards," she added, "risking my life and not thinking of what it would do to my home."

But she learned from each mistake and is slowly but surely building Tharna into an exceptional city.

Ruling of Men
Her members, surprisingly, number more men than women, which sometimes can make ruling a delicate matter.

"The men do tend to get upset at times with me telling them what to do," Sidona said. "I think their love and devotion to their home helps.

"I usually open discussions and let them help me with decisions, to a degree," she added. "I ultimately make the choices and the commands, but I do let all speak their mind and take into account how all feel on whatever is discussed."

Woe be to the visitor who disrespects the Tatrix, though.

"My male members usually put them in their place quickly," she said. "For the most part, all that visit me show me the due respect of a Tatrix.

Presentation counts
"I think it goes with how one presents herself on how the men react. I try not to show weakness to them or intimidation. They seem to respect my authority."

Sidona is quick to point out that the men in Tharna are not subservient as some seem to think.

"They are some of the strongest warriors on Gor," she said proudly. "The free women tend to be more open then in other cities. They show respect to free men, but are allowed a touch more leniency in their approach of things."

The city itself is rich from the silver mines that wind along for miles deep under the ground.

The garden
A visit to the Tratrix is likely to include a trip to her garden.

"I have a beautiful garden -- rows and rows of flowers, a fountain in the center surrounded by lavish benches made of stones carved by the hands of the best artist in Gor," she said, her eyes softening as though she were in the garden then. "The winds blow softly to cool a person as they sit near the fountain, taking in the scents of wild flowers that grow. The dinas of many colors surround it. Butterflies dance in the air. It is My sanctuary and where I go to think and ponder on decisions I need to make."

When times get rough, though, Sidona turns to her friends.

"I have some very good friends who stand behind me through the tough times and give me their support," she said. "And in saying 'my friends,' I include my wonderful slaves, who are always there to lend a shoulder or an ear."

Keeping slaves
She has six slaves under her collar, though "I think of all slaves of Tharna as My own." Her own life as a slave has made it difficult for her to learn how to deal with slaves.

"It makes it harder for me for I know their position and how they feel," she confessed. "I tend to be soft on slaves when I should hold a harsh hand. I have had to learn to be a mistress and not a friend to them all."

But learn she has. "I have some of the best slaves I have seen, very well trained," she said proudly.

So, next time you are out traveling, you might want to pop into Tharna for a visit.

"The people here live in harmony and peace," Sidona said. "Little fighting occurs. It is a fun environment for all to come and enjoy."