The Companions of the Heart (spoilers LST)

[Farseer]

My husband is currently reading The Mad Ship (I can't tell you how exciting it is to know that he is not only reading it but also enjoying it!) and is away for a couple of days so I can't reference anything but I am fairly certain that Serilla made only a single vow to become a Companion of the Heart and this had to do with advising the Satrap only...that if he should ask his Heart Companion for advice on her specific area of expertise, eg Bingtown in Serilla's case, she could not turn aside from him. Other than that, the Satrap had no other hold over his Companion of the Heart, be it physical or otherwise. I also think I am correct in saying that Esclepius chose Serilla as his CotH based on her extensive knowledge of the north, which included the Bingtown region.

I guess 'of the heart' may simply be a slant on having someone's best interest at heart? Joined by the same goals? That in giving the Satrap advice, the Companion has the Satrap's rule and the realm's best interest as the only agendas for the advice given?

It is interesting to note that Esclepius was a follower of the "religion of the White Prophets" and no doubt this made him consider his obligations as a ruler in a different light than Cosgo (who lived during a time when WPs etc were condemned by the priests of Sa). Despite changing somewhat for the better by the end of the LST, Cosgo's earlier behaviours were fine examples of the increasing debasement of the realm as it became all the more divided. Over the course of the books we are seeing everything working toward unity once more (EDIT: In line with the first of the Thirty-Three Contradictions of Sa: Only in Union is there Continuity) and so may also see Cosgo return to the full 'correctness' of the roles between himself and his future Companions.

Possibly it is a balancing or a mirroring of the facets of Sa to have female Companions advise a male Satrap. As the Satrapa Malowda was without a Companion of any kind (as far as I can determine?), this is difficult to confirm. I will have to look out for mention of any male CotH for her during my LST re-read unless someone else can shed some light on it?

All very interesting, particularly when I have to wonder if there is not something here that maybe reflects the rule from back in the time of the Old Empire eg a 'heart' relationship between a male, a female and a serpent or dragon-like being/Elderling (?) as representatives/the embodiment of Sa within the world...or something!