To the Duma: On Duelling

[Frostdrop1 1843]

[!] An open letter would be published to the Royal Duma.

 

 

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To the Duma: On Duelling

Naf zwy 4th hag i Vzmey ag Hynk i 532 E.S.

 

DEAR Royal Duma,

Duels have been a part of our kingdom as a rite for many years and are an important cornerstone of our culture. They are supposed to be done as events of honour - one must spill blood to regain what is lost. However, recent events have forced me to ask the question: 

When does a legal duel become dishonorable? 

 

To set my understanding, I shall begin with what I believe we can all agree is good. Recently, the kingdom witnessed a duel between Patriarch Villorick and Andrey that was honourable. Both men were capable, both men were spirited, both men were armed, both men had purpose and both men engaged. What was between them was agreed readily, and inspires bravery. There was little cause for concern among these men. It is the manner with which those men commanded themselves that we hold as the idea of a duel in our common understanding.

 

And yet, this is not what I write to dispute but it is a necessary understanding to have.

 

What was presumably at the moment of insult, a duel was demanded between Firess Anastasia Ivanovich and Firess Ilia within the barracks. While I cannot attest to what insult was taken, I can say that Ilia has a harsh tongue and I do not doubt the claims made. However, upon the demand for a duel she refused. This woman is no soldier, or fighter of any sort. In my opinion, it should have ended there and another path of dispute taken. This was not the case.
 

Under further pressure to comply, and fearing for the safety of her friend under their desire to act as a champion, an agreement was coerced, although Ilia had made clear her refusal to truly lift arms. This woman, with nought in her hand but a candle and a prayer on her lips, was then beaten, maimed and almost strangled to death. And yet, when the witnesses became unsettled and called for a cease, there was none. When there was intervention, the violence only proved continuous. The call was to continue by Sergeant Tatiyana vas Ruthern, that the fires Ilia should simply yield, but without her voice to use as her throat was crushed. Upon instruction to tap the ground to yield, Firess Ilia did so and hostilities ceased.

This duel, then, brings about questions on the ‘commonplace’ knowledge that I have been told everyone possesses on conduct of a duel. Furthermore, it had one woman capable, and one not; one woman spirited, and one not; one woman armed, and one not; one woman with purpose, and one not; and one woman fought, and one did not. What was between them was not agreed readily, but was agreed yet frankly inspires little but disgust. 

 

I believe matters such as this sully the understanding and pride we might hold in the ancient rite of the duel, and to protect this rite and our own civility we should address the vagueness and universal label of honour all things simply verbally called a 'duel' receive.

It is then that I ask of the Royal Duma to reflect, debate and propose alterations to the dueling laws, in hands more capable than mine own on the following matters or more which may arise on discussion:

I. Firstly, and most importantly, that a refusal to fight ought to be considered an automatic yield, and subsequent agreed conditions on loss should take place II. accordingly

II. To enforce the equality of the participants in more than social class but also in appropriate weaponry

III. To bar the provoked agreeance of a duel by means of harassment

IV. To consider a potential revision to the illegality of intervention upon a duel, but only when the terms of the duel may exceed the limitations set by the participants or the law

 

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Lord Marus Fabien Weiss