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 is on trial in Wien, Austria. The presiding judge found Aksinya not guilty of the fraud charges against her. He did so because her debt had already been paid. The judge released the court for lunch, where Aksinya and Father Dobrushin have an interesting conversation. Following lunch, the court reconvenes. Aksinya and Father Dobrushin return to the courtroom...
Just before one o’clock, Sergeant Nagel escorted them back to the courtroom. They returned to their seats and waited for the rest of the court to gather.
Directly at one, behind the large desk, two judges came through the door at the right and two judges through the door at the left. The bailiff of the court struck his staff against the floor, “Hear ye, hear ye, this Schöffengericht is reconvened in the name of Emperor Charles the first of Austria and the Republic of German Austria
Judge Richter started up immediately, “The focus of this afternoon are the charges of assault and battery against Princess Aksinya. The first witness whom I wish to call is the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska. Sergeant Nagel.”
In a couple of minutes, Natalya followed Sergeant Nagel into the courtroom. She walked with excellent posture, but one of her shoulders drooped a little lower than the other.
Aksinya gave a little cry when she saw Natalya. Natalya’s eyes lit up. She ran to Aksinya and curtsied to the floor. Aksinya took Natalya’s hand and lifted her up. She stood and embraced Natalya. Aksinya kissed Natalya’s cheeks. They were wet with tears.
Judge Richter cleared his throat a couple of times. He rolled his eyes. Finally he said something, “Herr Lopuhin, this is highly irregular.” He paused, “But…yes, I understand.” He sighed and slumped back into his seat.
Natalya cried, “They wouldn’t let me see you. I begged and begged, but they said you were in jail.”
Aksinya laughed, “I was in jail. I will likely go to prison. I love you so much, and I am so sorry. I missed you.”
“And I you, mistress. I wish to join your household again.”
Aksinya looked down, “I have none.”
Father Dobrushin took Aksinya by the arm, “Princess, that is enough. The Lady Natalya must testify.”
“Yes, you must testify and ensure you tell the truth, Lady Natalya.”
Natalya nodded and presented a very worried look on her face.
Sergeant Nagel led Natalya to the witness chair.
What kind of reunion did you expect to see with Aksinya and Natalya. Aksinya loves Natalya. Natalya worships Aksinya. Natalya would gladly die for Aksinya--she almost did. The kind of love and worship Natalya has for Aksinya can't be harmed by any amount of pain and suffering. The same is true for the Sister Margarethe. Aksinya's powerful personality gathers followers like a mother hen gathers her chicks.
Does Aksinya deserve any of this worship. She saved Natalya more than once. She was a reluctant actor who acted in every case for Natalya--except once. This novel is not about those things which are deserved. This novel is about those things which are entirely undeserved. Therefore, when Natalya sees Aksinya, she runs to her and curtsies to her and adores her. Aksinya shows her love too.
Did you notice, Natalya walks with one shoulder lower than the other. She is permanently crippled from Aksinya's attack. Natalya didn't deserve this either--or did she. As I wrote, this isn't a novel about what is deserved, but what is not deserved.
The judge is moved by Natalya and Aksinya's reunion. Notice, I don't tell you about it--I show it to you. The judge gives up and lets the ladies greet one another. That's where I carve out a piece of dialog for you to show you their thoughts--thoughts through dialog. Did you note, Aksinya said she loves Natalya. At this point, Aksinya likely understands what love really is. Natalya wishes to join Aksinya's household again, but Aksinya has none.
Father Dobrushin finally separates them. Doesn't he chime in at an interesting point in the conversation? The point about a household. Listen to Aksinya's order to Natalya: “Yes, you must testify and ensure you tell the truth, Lady Natalya.” This makes Natalya worried because she does not wish Aksinya to go to prison--you do see that, don't you? Natalya would do anything for Aksinya including lie. She was perhaps prepared to lie. She disobeyed and betrayed her mistress before because of her love. Tomorrow, Natalya's testimony.
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