A New Novel, Part 256 The Courtroom

17 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 256 The Courtroom

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.

Aksinya's secular trial is about to begin.  We see the setting of the scene and the transition...

Captain Gerber and Sergeant Nagel escorted Aksinya into the courtroom on the main floor of the Rathaus.  Aksinya beamed at the configuration of the room.  Unlike the chapel in the Cardinal’s house, this was the proper courtroom of Aksinya’s experience.  The roof was tall and impressive.  The colors of the walls and accouterments were light brown with accents and details in grey-blue.  A tall and wide solid desk, the judge’s bench sat at one end.  Behind it was a large raised seal of the nation and emperor of Austria.  The seats for observers and witnesses within the courtroom were also light brown.  A rail with a center opening ran across the front between the desk and the benches.  Directly in front of the opening was a single chair that faced the solid desk, and behind the chair at either side, was a table each with a couple of regular chairs.  It all reminded Aksinya of her adopted father’s court when he sat in judgment of his people.  At that thought, her smiled turned down.  

Captain Gerber led Aksinya to the table on the left.  She sat.  He and Sergeant Nagel stood behind her.  After a few minutes, Father Dobrushin entered the courtroom.  He wasn’t dressed in Orthodox robes today.  He wore a dark suit without a priest’s collar.  He paused a moment and glanced around as though he was very familiar with the setting and felt very comfortable there.  The Father noted Aksinya and proceeded to the table where she sat.  Captain Gerber and Sergeant Nagel nodded to the priest.  At the table, he bowed and spoke in Russian, “Princess Aksinya, good morning.  Would you permit me to sit at the table with you?”

Aksinya almost did not recognize the priest.  He had trimmed his beard into the close rakish style worn by many Austrian men.  It looked very pleasant on his face.  Aksinya felt a twinge of desire that she hadn’t known for a long time and felt a little ashamed.  She mumbled, “Good morning, Father Dobrushin.” The volume of her voice increased slightly, “You should not show me so much deference otherwise the nobility of Austria and the Church will rise up against you.”

Father Dobrushin smiled, “In spite of that, I shall always honor you, Princess.”

“You are very kind to me, thank you.  Please sit, as I have no other defenders.  I’m glad Matushka Ekaterina chose not to come.”

“She would have come except Father Makar would not permit it.”

“Have I caused another problem?”

“It is not you…”

“Then the demon?”

“Father Makar has not been happy with you since you escaped to the Ecclesia.”

“He believes I am insane.”

Father Dobrushin’s brow creased.

Aksinya lowered her eyes, “I overheard…”

“So I guessed.”  Father Dobrushin pulled a stack of papers out of his briefcase, “Princess Aksinya, I intend to defend you to the best of my ability.  I don’t wish you to go to prison or the workhouse.”

The built in transition is the break between the visit to Aksinya's cell and the trial.  This is a method to make time move ahead.  Then the scene setting for the courtroom.  We start with two characters you have already bee introduced to.  They aren't that important of characters, but I give them to you as a connection to the scene where Aksinya was captured in front of her house.  This reminds you of her house, the capture, and the idea of the secular trial.  The characters are Captain Gerber and Sergeant Nagel.  After that, we get into the scene itself.  This description is a comparative description, but it is used in reverse.  The reverse is that the comparison is to a courtroom you have not seen before--the courtroom of Aksinya's father. 

The description of the courtroom is for an Austrian court of the time.  The comparison is to a Russian noble court of the time.  This courtroom is set up as an Austrian judicial court.

The Captain and Sergeant seat Aksinya.  Notice particularly Father Dobrushin.  He isn't dressed in Orthodox robes.  He doesn't have on a priest's collar.  His beard is trimmed.  With this description many Orthodox individuals will be able to determine what has happened.  I won't tell you know--this will be revealed later.  Aksinya doesn't get it.  She almost didn't recognise the priest.  She feels a twinge of desire--this is a foreshadowing.  Note that she is ashamed at her thoughts now.

Then I give you another hint about what has happened.  Ekaterina is not at the trial because Father Makar would not permit it.  Yet, Father Dobrushin is there.  Then we get the short discussion about Father Makar's feelings about Aksinya.  Father Dobrushin will defend Aksinya.  Tomorrow, more about Father Dobrushin.