Chapter 2
Natonito walked into the building where the Bravian Constitutional Convention met, a group of people passionate about the people of Bravia, but mostly lacking in expertise about the finer points of law. Natonito was the unquestioned leader of the convention, elected while the bullets still sang in the countryside.
�Why do we even need a Constitution,� a gentleman stood up and shouted.
�We are a civilized people, and in order to codify our freedom, we need a constitution that reflects the needs of the people and yet is flexible enough to change with the times,� Natonito said. �In order to preserve our land, we must prepare for the future.�
�What about government?� Duke Don said.
�That is the first order of business. I propose a limited monarchy. If we ever choose to join another nation, we should make it so that our constitution applies except where explicitly contradicted by future constitutions,� Natonito said. �We should have separation of powers between the three branches of government, having a strong and independent judiciary that is bound by the laws and who can be removed with a 2/3 vote of the legislature if they overstep their bounds and seek to create law or destroy the moral fabric of our people.�
�Sounds good to me,� Duke Longbert said.
�We should have a strong executive as well,� Natonito said. �We should make sure that the way of choosing the executive is flexible. He may be chosen by any means, so long as he is approved by a majority of the legislature when a quorum is present or by a majority of the people in a popular election. There should be universal suffrage for all citizens who can pass a standardized test demonstrating basic competence in logic, literacy, and knowledge of the people and land of Bravia,� Natonito said.
�So you�re saying that there should be no minimum voting age?� a baron from Navy Island asked.
�That is correct. Our suffrage should be limited by competence, not by age. Everyone should be responsible for basic knowledge about Bravia and its government before they are able to vote responsibly and by secret ballot,� Natonito said.
�What about terms?� a baron from Staunchville asked.
�Well, the upper house, or Senate, and the executive should have at least four year terms, and the lower house should have two year terms,� Natonito said. �There should be no term limits for any office, though the holding of multiple offices should be forbidden.�
�What about details of local sovereignty?� a baron from Paz asked.
�We should make it so that all areas not covered by viceroyalty law are left to local districts to be decided. The central government need not interfere in every minor issue to insure that all areas are equal. People should be free to decide on a local level what their laws are, so long as basic freedoms are protected,� Natonito said.
�And who should decide those basic freedoms?� Duke Van Larken asked.
�We should sit here and decide what they are, and allow the constitution to be amended by a � vote of cantons if we mess up or fail to anticipate the future correctly enough,� Natonito said.
�Have any ideas?� a baron from North Staunchville asked.
�Basic to any free society is the ability to criticize government without penalty, to practice freedom of conscience, and the freedom to speak without malice. Also, people should be free to assemble peacefully, petition government for redress, and to be free from governmental seizure of land without full market compensation. People should also be free from malicious litigation from person, organization, or government, as anyone who sues without adequate cause may be required to pay full legal fees,� Natonito said.
�What about the legislature?� Oen asked.
�I think we should have a bicameral legislature, an upper house made up of one person per canton, and a lower house divided up by population, allotting seats based on a census every ten years,� Natonito said.
�All of this sounds good,� Duke Van Larken says. �How long have you been thinking of these matters? The rest of us are no masters of law.�
�I have thought about this ever since going to the Imperial Senate to represent Bravia,� Natonito said. �I wondered what sort of constitution would guarantee liberty without allowing for anarchy and atomization of community. This is not perfect, but it is a good start.�
�If men were angels, there would be no need for government,� Anias said.
�Very true, but as men are not angels we need to make sure our government is as secure as possible, and that we educate people so that they may be free,� Natonito said. �The best support to a free nation is a free and wise people who are able to decide well on their own.�
�What if later generations come who are not so wise?� Duke Longbert asked.
�Then they may bring shame upon their own heads,� Natonito said. �We cannot walk people who are not born, but we should make it so that those who are wise may always rule over those who are foolish so that we may be safe and secure from moral and intellectual decay from within as well as invasion from without.�
�Oh, that it were that easy,� Oen said.
�Very true,� Natonito said. �Still, we have to give it our best effort.�
�Any other business on our first day?� Duke Van Larken asked.
�Yes,� Natonito said. �Anias Russ is here today to receive her official thanks from the people of Bravia. I have offered her a title of Duke of the House of Russ for her work in bringing Russville into free Bravia.�
�Very good,� Duke Don said.
�I must turn down the title,� Anias said. �I do not fight for noble title, but for freedom. I appreciate the thanks of the Bravian people, though.�
�I am surprised that you have turned down the title, but you are free to remain a commoner if you desire,� Natonito said. �Still, I propose a statue be built in the square to honor your contribution to Bravian freedom.�
�That I can agree to,� Anias Russ said with a smile.
�You are free to leave now, if you please,� Natonito said. �Business is adjourned for today.�
�Thank you,� Anias said. �It has been a long day.�
�Yes, it has,� Natonito replied.
�I salute your attempt to build a new nation of freedom,� Anias said.
�We are going to build one nation under God,� Natonito said. The crowd cheered as the meeting ended.
Natonito and Oen then went off to the Bravian Cantina, where Natonito was carrying large amounts of cash with which to perform his business. Upon entrance, Bathsheba came up to Natonito and asked if he intended on buying her contract right away.
�Yes,� Natonito said. �I plan on buying a third share in the place as well as buying your contract, my dear. Tonight you will be coming home with me.� He smiled.
�Thanks,� Batsheba said with a look of love and gratitude.
�Don�t you think she�s a little young?� Oen said. �She doesn�t look 18 yet.�
�She�s not eighteen yet,� Natonito said.
�You always liked the young ones,� Oen said. �She looks like a beauty, though. If she were a peasant on my estates I�d be with her.�
�Just don�t tell that to your wife,� Natonito said.
�She knows I like to sample the produce,� Oen said. �She makes me pay for it when she goes off shopping in the city.�
�A fairly typical arrangement from the sound of it,� Natonito said. To Bathsheba, he said. �Is your boss around, and do you want to come with me?�
�Sure, it�s not busy tonight here,� Bathsheba said. �Follow me.� They walked to the office.
�The investor from last night is here,� Bathsheba said with a smile and a wink.
�Oh, yes, Natonito,� the owner said. �Who is that with you?�
�My brother in law, Oen Bravia,� Natonito replied. �We just finished with the first day of the constitutional convention. I wanted him to check out the place.�
�Do you have the 50,000 freznics?� the owner asked.
�Yes, I do,� Natonito said, giving the owner a written contract to sign, as Oen would notarize.
�Good,� the owner said. �Do you have any other business here?�
�Yes, I do, as a matter of fact,� Natonito said. �I was interested in buying the contract of this lovely young lady here.�
�You have taken a liking to her?� the owner asked.
�Yes, I have, and I wanted to know how much it would cost to buy out her contract,� the owner said.
�A pretty face like that isn�t worth all that much money,� the owner said. �She�s quite replaceable anyway. I�d say she�s worth about a thousand freznics for the rest of her contract.�
�That�s fine by me,� Natonito said, handing over another contract.
�You like these contracts, don�t you?� the owner said.
�When it comes to big money, never do business without them,� Natonito said. After receiving the contract, signed, he handed over the thousand freznics, and Betsabeth was now his kept woman.
After they walked out together, Betsabeth said, �I�m so glad that you bought my contract. I�ve never had a steady guy before.�
�You certainly deserve one,� Natonito said, smiling. �Do you want to see my house now so you can see where you will live?�
�Certainly, my dear,� Bathsheba said with a grin.
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