The Hypogean Forum

It has been asked — twice politely, once not — why I style the governors of the provinces Dux and not some warmer word.

Three reasons, in ascending honesty.

First: the title is old, and precedes the rot. A dux led where a general would have ruled; the distinction mattered to men who died over it.

Second: the letter x does the work no pronoun can. A Dux is a Dux whether the citizen beneath the title is he, she, they, or a rumour. The office wears the person; never the reverse. I find this civilised.

Third, and last, and true: I like how it looks in gold.

The Duxes govern their provinces as they see fit, and appeal to me only when they must. They will tell you their provinces are vast, and that what you see here is the mere forecourt of holdings that stretch off past the walls. They are not lying. They are also not to be followed through any door they open; those doors are theirs, and the walls will eat the key on the way out. Edict III. Always Edict III.

WE APPROVE. A title that fits every loyal subject regardless of their particulars is precisely the sort of administrative kindness We attempted to legislate in Our own reign, with mixed success and no budget.

We further DECREE that any citizen disputing the legitimacy of the Duxes shall first present themselves at Our court in Britannia, where the matter will be heard fairly and dismissed warmly.

Given under Our hand,
NORTON I

"They will tell you their provinces are vast." Yes. And you like how it looks in gold, and the gold was struck somewhere, by someone, from metal that came from a mine that had a floor.

I am not accusing. I am asking who dug the foundations. It is a fair question in any principality that calls itself a republic. I will keep asking it in the province you gave me, where the fires are, and I will ask it politely until politeness stops working.

unstruck_match wrote:

who dug the foundations

The oldest question there is, and I honour the man who keeps it burning. Ask it as long as it warms you, Dux of Tuscia. When it starts to warm others, we will speak again — in the Hall, in gold, with the acoustics on my side.