A New Novel, Part 242 You are to Sit There, Child

3 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 242 You are to Sit There, Child

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.

The day of Aksinya's ecclesiastical trial has arrived...

In the morning, Frau Becker dressed Aksinya in her thin black dress and brought her breakfast in the room where she had been convalescing.  Just before nine, she led Aksinya to the chapel within the Cardinal’s house.  Aksinya heard the sounds of a crowd outside the building.  She caught a glimpse of men with cameras and writing pads through the windows.  Guards stood at the inner doors.  Inside the chapel was an altar on a slightly raised platform.  Just ahead of the altar sat a bishop’s chair on the platform.  A second smaller chair sat below the platform and about ten feet from the edge of it.  The other seats for spectators where arranged behind this.  They were already filled with many officials of the church.  Aksinya could tell by their robes.  Aksinya recognized the Reverend Mother, the Abbot, and Sister Margarethe near the middle of the crowd.  Some of the higher ranking sisters from the convent, Sacré Coeur, were also there.  Aksinya remembered them from her classes.  A few secular spectators were seated at the back.  Aksinya could tell since they were the only ones without ecclesiastical robes.

Frau Becker led Aksinya to the smaller chair and pointed toward it, “You are to sit there, child.”

As she sat, Aksinya grasped Frau Becker’s hand, “Thank you for your kindness to me.  I shall not forget it.”  She smiled.

Frau Becker covered her face with her free hand, “You are welcome.  I’ve been instructed to help you as you have need.  I’ll sit just behind you.”

“Thank you.”

Frau Becker reluctantly let go of Aksinya’s hand and moved behind her.

We have a transition with scene setting.  First, we dress Aksinya.  She is still wearing her shabby black dress--it is all she has.  Then we set the physical scene.  I let you know, through Frau Becker about the press.  Now, I show them to you.  I give you the time, but not the day.  The description is of the Chapel--that is the location of the trial.  That is where all the action will take place.

Then we see that the Reverend Mother, the Abbot, and Sister Margarethe are all at the trial.  Did you expect to not see them?  They will face another type of trial. 

Frau Becker takes Aksinya to her chair.  She is right at the front below the altar.  Aksinya at the end is kind to Frau Becker.  The Frau has been assigned to look after Aksinya during the trial.  Aksinya is having an affect on some of the people she meets.  Will this do her any good?  Tomorrow, the trial begins.