A New Novel, Part 195 May I Speak to You?

A New Novel, Part 195 May I Speak to You?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

At noon Father Dobrushin returns to the Ecclesia.  He wishes to to speak with Aksinya, just as he promised the evening before.  This is also chapter and scene setting time.  We are beginning chapter 16...

At noon, Father Dobrushin returned to the Ecclesia. As soon as the midday prayers were over, he came into the kitchen and asked Ekaterina, “Where is she?”


Ekaterina looked up from her pots and pointed with her chin toward the small back room.

Father Dobrushin went down the short hall to the door. It was cracked open and Aksinya knelt on the floor and lay partially over the small cot. The priest cleared his throat and pushed the door open the rest of the way.

Aksinya leapt up from the floor like a child caught in a misdeed. She rubbed her eyes before she turned and faced Father Dobrushin. Her eyes were moist and red.

Father Dobrushin was silent for a moment then he stroked his beard, “May I speak with you?”

Aksinya ducked her head. She rubbed her face in the coarse fabric of her sleeves, “I don’t know what is wrong with my eyes lately. They will not stop watering.”

Father Dobrushin made a noncommittal sound. Aksinya slowly sat on the edge of the cot.

Since I have problems getting on line.  I'll try to give you short pieces with some commentary.  The chief point here is the setting of chapter 16 and the first scene in chapter 16.  I give you the time--it's noon.  The place--the Ecclesia.  The participants--first Father Dobrushin.  He goes through Ekaterina to get to Aksinya.  Aksinya is in the small room she first woke in.

The setting of the place is so important to the novel, I give you another description of where it is from the kitchen.  Aksinya is obviously in prayer.  She believes, now to some degree that her prayers are being heard--otherwise, why pray?

Father Dobrushin is a gentleman--he makes a noise before he enters.  He didn't have to, the door was open.  Watch Akssinya's reaction.  She leaps to her feet as if she was caught in a misdeed.  She isn't used to any of this--her life is changing.  Her eyes are moist and red.

Father Dobrushin tries to be kind and comes across slightly brusk--he asks to speak to her.  Aksinya still acts like a guilty child.  She is still confused about her tears.  Father Dobrushin isn't certain what to do about this either.  Tomorrow, the beginning of their conversation.