Chapter 5
The next morning the meeting room of the Constitutional Convention was full of delegates and ordinary citizens who had been tipped off about the subject of today�s meeting. Emperor Robert et Lylle Russ III came in with his entourage of courtiers.
�Thank you for accepting the meeting to discuss the terms for Bravia joining the Secfenian Empire,� Robert III said lucidly, his courtiers looking around with obvious relief.
�You are most welcome, friend,� Natonito replied. �I hope you have read through the constitution that we so recently passed.�
�Yes, I have,� Robert III said.
�And what do you think of it?� Natonito said. �After all, for us to be a part of the empire, that must be the rules that govern this territory.�
�I see no problem with this constitution,� Robert III said. �After all, the rights guaranteed here are basic for lands, and I see no need for the empire to overrule any parts of this document.�
�That is good to hear,� Natonito said. �After all, Bravia is the land of the brave and the free, and we shed much blood to escape from tyranny. We would be fools to rush into tyranny blindly again.�
�Well, your example was a great service to the rest of the continent,� Robert III said. �After you humbled the Imperial troops, the rest of the continent was ready to support me against the Empire, and it was easy for loyal troops to place me on the recently vacated throne of the Empire. No longer was the empire to be ruled by that petty tyrant Juanita, who we castrated and placed in the Alleria Mental Institute.�
�Well, you took your vengeance on him,� Natonito said. �I would like to introduce you to the leaders of the Bravian people, dukes, barons, and commoners who represent the people of Bravia.�
�Pleased to meet you all,� Robert III said. The gallery cheered.
�We also have today some citizens of the city of Bravia who found out about the news of what was to go on today and have decided to watch the proceedings themselves,� Natonito said. �So in effect, I introduce you to the Bravian people as well.�
�Nice to meet you all as well,� Robert III said formally.
�I assume that Bravia will be a full viceroyalty in the new empire, correct?� Natonito asked.
�Yes, you assume correctly. It will join the Imperial Viceroyalty and the Purian Viceroyalty in the Secfenian Empire,� Robert Russ III said.
�That means that the executive in our constitution would be a viceroy,� Natonito asked rhetorically.
�Yes, and do you have anyone you would like to nominate for that position?� Robert III asked.
�Not until we fill up some other positions,� Natonito said. �What sort of positions will be open in Imperial roles for Bravians?�
�Well,� Robert Russ III replied. �I will have you, Natonito, as my right hand man, in a position called the Directrix, in charge of dealing with the people as well as handling the Imperial Guard, the elite military force of the Secfenian people.�
�That is a good start,� Natonito said. �Go on, I am curious to see what else is in store for the brave patriots here.�
�There will also be two senators from this viceroyalty,� Robert Russ III said. �Who do you propose?�
�Well, first I would propose my brother-in-law, Oen Bravia, and second I would propose Duke Van Larken,� Natonito said. �If necessary, either of them could stand election and win with a large margin.�
�Alright,� Robert III answered. �Then there is the matter of the Viceroy and the generals.�
�Alrighty,� Natonito replied. �I believe that Duke Don would make an excellent Viceroy, and that both Duke Van Larken and Duke Don have some younger brothers that would make good generals.�
�Yes, I think we would make good generals,� the younger brothers said in unison.
�Excellent,� Robert III said. �It seems like you have a good command system in place here. These leaders will then represent Bravia in the viceregal assembly?�
�Most of these people will probably be elected to serve in either the lower house. The upper house will be made up of the highest nobles in the land who do not serve in some other capacity, and the lower house is elected by canton, the various districts of Bravia,� Natonito replied.
�These are fine terms,� Robert III said. �I expect the Bravians to be no problem in terms of an empire. After all we here value the preservation of liberty as much as you do.�
�I am glad to hear that,� Natonito replied. �I believe it is time for a vote then.�
�A vote to join the empire?� Robert III asked.
�Yes, we Bravians are a people who believe that consensus and democracy are the best ways to achieve success, and that the people who are the wisest are able to rule thanks to their protection of the people whom they serve,� Natonito said. �It is a shame other areas do not trust their people so much.�
�Interesting idea,� Robert III said, staring into space.
�Alright, assembly,� Natonito said. �It is time to vote whether we will join the empire or not.�
�What about the people?� Duke Longbert asked snidely.
�If they do not accept these terms or the constitution that we passed yesterday, then they can recall them in referendum. What we do here is on behalf of the people, and they are free to vote and amend if they please,� Natonito said.
�Who is that duke that does not seem to be happy with this?� Robert III whispered to his messenger.
�That duke is Duke Longbert, who fought with the empire until he was captured by Anias,� the messenger replied.
�Ah, I see,� Robert III whispered back. �And because he fought with Lord Sabre and Juanita, Natonito is not going to give him a high position?�
�Yes, I believe that is the case. Besides, from what I have heard the houses of Bravia and Longbert have been feuding for quite some time,� the messenger whsipered.
�Natonito has a long memory then,� Robert III said. �And he rewards those who are loyal to him.�
�Yes, that appears to be the case,� the messenger said.
�Good, we need more people like him in the empire,� Robert III said. �People that are loyal and clever, and not deceitful and treacherous.�
�I agree,� the messenger said.
The vote was a landslide, another 4/5 vote to join the empire. Once again, the only holdouts were those barons of Russville that fought with the Longberts and a few stubborn independents in the rest of Bravia. The victory secure, the convention celebrated again, except for a rather stone-faced Duke Longbert.
�Would any of you like to see the new capital?� Robert III said at the close of the vote.
�I would like to see, so I can find out where I can put my new palace,� Natonito said with a smile. �I just have to pick up my mistress first.�
�Good, anyone else?� Robert III said.
�No thanks,� the rest of the assembly said one by one.
�They all have business rebuilding homes and running for election,� Natonito said. �Do not take it hard.�
�I understand,� Robert III said. �After all, this was where the real fighting was.�
That evening Natonito and Bathsheba went with the Imperial delegation towards West Fenia, the new capital of the Empire. After sleeping the night in a comfortable personal carrier, as dawn arose the next morning they saw the city ahead.
�It is growing quickly,� Natonito said.
�Yes,� Robert III said. �I heard you were a developer yourself.�
�Among other things,� Natonito replied.
�Good, then develop the area around Imperial square. I will grant you the property and you can build your palace, some roads, and some business on it. That way we can improve that particular district,� Robert III said.
�Sounds good to me. A tavern and some shops would probably work out nicely,� Natonito said. �That should only take a few months, with the right design-build bid.�
�Well, here is your new home,� Robert III said as they neared a grassy plain just outside the center of the capital.
�It will do just fine, after a little work,� Natonito said, smiling as he designed in his head.
�I�m sure it will be beautiful, my dear,� Bathsheba said.
�Are you a good mistress?� Robert III asked.
�Of course I am,� Bathsheba said. �Natonito treats me very well.� She smiled.
�So, you�re settling down at last, old friend?� Robert III asked.
�I hope so,� Natonito said. �What I always wanted was love, not lovers.�
�Well, welcome to the empire,� Robert III said, changing the subject.
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