A New Novel, Part 255 I will Defend You

16 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 255 I will Defend 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.

Aksinya is in a cell under the Rathaus in Wien.  She is awaiting her secular trial.  Father Dobrushin and Ekaterina have come to visit her...

Father Dobrushin’s face displayed great anger for a moment.  He turned toward the wall then back toward Aksinya.  She picked at the bandage on her arm.  Father Dobrushin asked, “What happened to your arm?”

Aksinya stared at the bandage on her forearm and hand, “It was necessary.”

“What was necessary?”

“The clothing must all be marked with crosses or the demon can remove them.  He tried to freeze me to death in the Cardinal’s house.”

“He, you mean the demon?  What does that have to do with your arm?”

“I…I cut myself to mark my dress and blankets so the demon could not take them again.”

Ekaterina asked, “You marked them with your blood?”

Aksinya’s shoulders rose, “They wouldn’t give me anything else to mark them with.”

Ekaterina grabbed the hem of Aksinya’s dress and scanned it.  She looked at the blankets, “Are these the ones you marked?”

Aksinya smiled, “Frau Becker let me keep them.  That was very kind of her.”

Father Dobrushin asked, “Have you seen the demon since you were at the Cardinal’s house?”

“No.  He has ignored me since then, and that makes me very happy.”

“I pray for you every day, Princess.  I want you to be free of this creature.  I also don’t want you to be punished for something you did not do.”

Aksinya’s stared at him wide-eyed, “What do you think I am not guilty of?”

“Whatever your sins, this trial is only about your assault on the Lady Natalya and your debt.  There is nothing else that they will try you for and the outcome and guilt is uncertain.”

“Uncertain.  I did indeed beat the Lady Natalya.  I did allow my household to fall into debt…”

“Princess,” he interrupted her, “Have they assigned a defender to you?”

“Like the Inquisitor Esposito?”

“Yes, like the inquisitor.”

“They have not.”

“I will defend you.”

Aksinya laughed, “I don’t think it will do any good, but I shall permit it.”

“I was not of a mind to give you a choice.”

Aksinya scowled at him, “If the court will allow you, I shall be happy to have you defend me.”

A knock came at the cell door.

Ekaterina touched Aksinya’s arm, “We must leave.  Would you like us to bring you anything?”

Aksinya pressed her hands together, “Yes, please bring me the Greek Bible Father Dobrushin lent me.  I only know the Gospels and Acts.  I wish to memorize Paul’s letters.”

Ekaterina stammered, “Memorize?  Certainly.  I will bring it tomorrow.”

Okay, okay, I admit it.  I've told you before that I intend to repeat important ideas in such a way that you can't miss or forget them.  This is the reason I don't like to "tell" you that one character explained some sequence of events to another character--I'd rather "show" you through the conversation.

In this case, I repeat the incident about the crosses.  The crosses are very important to the entire theme of the novel.  The degree of pain and suffering that Aksinya will go through to be rid of the demon is important.  Plus, I can drown you in the pathos of the situation that Aksinya finds herself in through the repetition.  Therefore, Aksinya picks at her bandage and Father Dobrushin asks about it.  There is more in this than simply repeating the why and the event.  I want you to see Father Dobrushin's concern for Aksinya.  There is something very important in this too. 

Through Ekaterina and Father Dobrushin's reaction, I let you see their minds and the agony Aksinya went through.  To Aksinya, everything was necessary.  Do you see how that sounds to her friends?   This leads to the transition to the demon and then to Aksinya's guilt again.  This leads naturally to Father Dobrushin's question.  “Have they assigned a defender to you?”  The answer is no.  Therefore, Father Dobrushin tells her that he will act as her defender.  Look at the their interaction.  Aksinya is still acting like a Countess, a Princess.  She can't not act in this way.  Father Dobrushin was not going to give her a choice. 

There is much in this that relates to the ultimate theme of the novel.  Aksinya is guilty.  She was found guilty (as were all her friends) in an ecclesiastical court.  She will face a secular court.  She had no defender before, now Father Dobrushin has stepped forward to defend her.  I told you before, this work is a semi-allegory of the book of Tobit.  It is also a novel about temptation, sin, and salvation.  There it has been said.  For Aksinya, salvation is to be free of the demon.  She is indeed guilty.  She does deserve punishment.  We know she is not guilty of many of the crimes she was accused of or found guilty of.  We shall see if she is found guilty of those crimes a secular court can try. 

The ultimate question is her guilt in the ultimate court.  I give you a hint about Aksinya's soul at the end of this piece.  She is not enamored of sorcery anymore.  She wishes to memorize Paul's Letters.  So a simple metaphor for the transition she has made.  There will be more.  Tomorrow, the beginning of Aksinya's secular trial.

A New Novel, Part 252 Everything was the Demon's Doing

13 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 252 Everything was the Demon's Doing 

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 has faced the Ecclesiastical trial.  She and many of her friends were found guilty.  The last we heard, we realized she was going to a secular trail...

Aksinya woke in the dreary cell they had assigned her under the Rathaus at Wien.  She was alone.  Frau Becker had allowed her to take the blankets marked with the bloody crosses at each corner.  She still wore the dress Ekaterina had given her.  Sloppy crosses in her blood still marked it also.  Aksinya felt somewhat safe.  She recited her rosary.  That was her true comfort.

She heard steps outside her cell and rose from her knees to sit on the hard cot she had here.  There was a knock on the door to warn her and the guard called out, “Fraulein, prepare yourself and stand away from the door.”

Aksinya knew the drill by now, “I’m ready.”

The small hatch at eye level in the door opened.  The matron glanced inside.  Aksinya showed her hands, and a heavy key clanked in the lock.  The door opened.  The matron nodded to her.  A male guard stood behind her.  The matron motioned, “Your priest and a Frau are here to visit you.  I will remain with you, if you wish.”

Aksinya shook her head.

Father Dobrushin and Mataruska Ekaterina entered the cell.

Aksinya smiled then that turned down a little, “Where is Father Makar?”

Ekaterina and Father Dobrushin glanced at one another.  Ekaterina shifted her mouth, “He would not come.”

Aksinya glanced down.  When she looked up again, the cell door was shut and the two stood alone with her.  Aksinya tried to smile again.  She opened her hands, “It isn’t much more than I had at the Ecclesia…”

Ekaterina sat beside Aksinya and put her arms around her.

Aksinya sniffled, “Aren’t you afraid you will be tainted by me.  Everyone else who has befriended me has been ruined.”

Ekaterina held her closer and clucked, “Don’t be foolish.  We know all about you.  We won’t abandon you.”

“You should.”

Father Dobrushin stuck his hands behind his back, “We will not.”  He waited a moment then asked, “Why did you leave the Ecclesia?  I told you not to go.”

“I had to find Natalya.  I had to know if she was alive.  I love her.  I didn’t realize…”

“You didn’t realize…”

“All of that was the demon’s doing.  He visited me while I was in the Cardinal’s house.  He told me he had planned everything.”  Tears choked Aksinya’s words, “He told me he allowed my family to be killed.”

Ekaterina pulled Aksinya’s head against her and stroked her hair.

Here is the author's free transition.  We ended the last chapter with the judgement of the ecclesiastical trial.  The assumption is that Aksinya will face a secular trial.  The details of the time spent between the ecclesiastical trial and the secular trial are important, but there is no reason to move at a slow pace through them.  Within a novel, the author can more time at a pace reasonable to the action.  The action will be slow.  The point is to only write exciting and important scenes (they all should be both important and exciting).  So, instead of showing all the dreary details most of which you can guess, we move directly to the next important scene.

We start with scene setting.  The who, when, where, what, etc.  Immediately you can guess it is the morning, Aksinya wakes.  She is in a cell under the Rathaus.  She is alone.  She has her blankets and the single dress she has been wearing, unwashed, for days and perhaps weeks.  She recites the rosary.  There isn't much more I need to tell the reader.  You can build the scene from the information provided.  Whatever your idea of a dreary cell is sufficient and all that the writer should inject.  If the cell is different in any way, for example, a flower sat in a bucket in the corner.  That is a reason to describe more for you.  If there are cracks in the cell, then I don't need to tell you that unless the cracks have a metaphorical meaning or the cracks will come into play later in the work.  Remember, nothing extraneous should be included in the writing.  Everything must have a purpose.

The action begins with Aksinya, but moves very quickly to the special action.  The guards come to the door, and you get more details of the process of security before allowing visitors.  I also give you the impression of time and repetition by calling attention to the "drill."

We see the first visit by Father Dobrushin and Mataruska Ekaterina to Aksinya.  You know why this is important and this visit allows me to tell you much about Aksinya's confinement and the secular trial that is about to occur.

The theme for this scene and section is the destruction of Aksinya's friends.  The kickoff for this theme is Father Makar.  Perhaps he was not really Aksinya's friend, but because he fears for his place in the community and the Orthodox Church, he will not visit her.  You know he was trying to protect and yet keep everyone away from Aksinya.  Aksinya makes the correct observation: "Everyone else who has befriended me has been ruined.”  Father Dobrushin reassures Aksinya that they won't abandon her.  The words of Father Dobrushin are very important.

Aksinya makes another observation that is important: “All of that was the demon’s doing."  From the moment Aksinya called the demon, everything that has happened has been the results of the demon's actions.  We will discover much more about the results of the demon's actions and the ecclesiastical trial tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 194 May I pray too?

A New Novel, Part 194 May I pray too?

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.

Matushka Ekaterina is comforting Aksinya.  The Matushka is knows how to take care of young women...


“Hush, Aksinya, Countess…you shouldn’t speak about sorcery. You want to give it up. You shouldn’t let your mind dwell on it.”

“Yes, you’re right, but it has been a part of my life for so long…”

“How old are you, Countess?”

“I’m eighteen.”

“You look younger.”

“I know.” Aksinya played with the spilled tea. “What am I to do now that I don’t have sorcery?”

“What do you know?”

She let out a strange sob, “I know how to be a countess.”

Ekaterina smiled, “Beyond that?”

“Latin, Greek, German, Russian, French. I can speak, read, and write in them. Can anyone do anything with that knowledge?”

“Yes. Those are very good skills. Surely you have read a lot?”

“That is almost all I do—I read.” She sighed, “I wanted to go to school. I’m certain that is at an end now.”

“Perhaps, Countess. We can’t know much of anything right now.” Ekaterina looked up, “I must say the prayers and clean the Ecclesia.”

Aksinya didn’t look up. Her voice was thick with tears, “May I pray too? May I help you?”

Ekaterina smiled, “You may.

So, after Ekaterina has drawn information out of Aksinya, by the way, this is more information than anyone has drawn out of Aksinya in this novel, she begins with her own encouragement.  A very good counselor always leaves the counseled with a sense of their own worth.  So, Ekaterina has questions of her own and a motive of her own for Aksinya. 

First, Aksinya's age.  An easy question.  The answer surprises Ekaterina--she thought Aksinya was younger.  This is another side description within the conversation.  Aksinya breeches the question Ekaterina really wants to push: “What am I to do now that I don’t have sorcery?”

This question makes everything easy for Ekaterina.  She has been waiting for this opportunity.  Don't you catch this from her words?  We learn about Aksinya's skills beyond sorcery.  Ekaterina pounces at that: "Surely you have read a lot?”

Then Aksinya brings up something Ekaterina does not wish her to pursue.  Aksinya had hopes beyond her sorcery--one was to go to school.  That is indeed at an end and might never come again.  Ekaterina can't let Aksinya continue that line of thought...she cuts it off with a distraction.  Aksinya wishes to be of some use.  That is the kicker at the end of the chapter.  We see Aksinya participating with Ekaterina in prayer and cleaning.  Tomorrow, the beginning of chapter 16.

A New Novel, Part 193 Don't Let Your Mind Dwell on it

A New Novel, Part 193 Don't Let Your Mind Dwell on it

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 being comforted by Ekaterina.  Matushka Ekaterina asked Aksinya to tell her about her life...

“Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”


“Will that help you to love me?”

“Yes, and it will help me get to know you.”

Aksinya put out her arm and dipped her finger in a small puddle of tea spilled on the table, “My mother hated me.”

Ekaterina rocked Aksinya, “I doubt that very much.”

Aksinya ignored her, “I was her first child and the child of her first husband. He died before I was born. I reminded her too much of him. My adopted father loved me very much. He gave me whatever I wanted, but my mother didn’t give me what she did my younger sister or brother. She knew I loved fine clothes. Mine were always the least in the house. My mother couldn’t give me hand-me-downs, not at first. Her clothing was too elegant, but when my sister grew taller and larger in the…you know, the chest, than me, I received her old clothing. My sister had jewelry. I had nothing. My father gave me the old guest house. It was too unimportant and too ruined for my mother to care. That’s where I found the books on sorcery. I taught myself everything. I learned Latin on my own.”

“On your own?”

“Yes, perfectly. To use sorcery, you must speak the Latin words exactly as they should be spoken. Most can’t do it. I memorized the books on sorcery. Then I could have everything I wanted. At least I could make the appearance of everything I wanted. Much of sorcery is similar to illusion. It shapes the way the world looks. Some of sorcery is like…”

“Hush, Aksinya, Countess…you shouldn’t speak about sorcery. You want to give it up. You shouldn’t let your mind dwell on it.”

“Yes, you’re right, but it has been a part of my life for so long…”

We have been waiting for this moment--the time to learn more about the reticent and secretive Aksinya.  Ekaterina asks Aksinya to tell us about herself.  Aksinya wishes very much to be accepted and "loved" by Ekaterina.  Isn't it interesting that Aksinya doesn't seem to remember how much Sister Margarethe loved her?  That kind of love always frightened Aksinya--so it shouldn't surprise us.

Look at the use of description used to cause an intentional pause in the dialog.  The interlude develops the tension in the scene.  From the next description and conversation, we find Ekaterina still holds Aksinya.  She is rocking her like a child.

Aksinya believes her mother hated her.  We heard this from her before with Natalya. Ekaterina pooh poohs that Aksinya's mother hated her, then Aksinya gives us some information to chew on.  You can look at this statement from Aksinya in two ways.  The one is that her mother really did have some animosity toward her--the other is that her mother knew Aksinya had a problem with luxuria and kept it out of her hands.  The result of either her mother's wisdom or meanness resulted in Aksinya learning sorcery.  It wasn't Aksinya's mother's fault--it was all Aksinya's doing, but there is a lesson here.  Aksinya was obviously a child who was not given much attention.  The lack of attention drove her to sorcery.

Aksinya begins to go on and on about sorcery that is until Ekaterina pulls her up short.  Ekaterina wants to know Aksinya's problems, but she doesn't want Aksinya to dwell in her sin.  As I mentioned Ekaterina is very wise.  You should get this just through her conversation.  Tomorrow, we learn more. 

A New Novel, Part 192 Should I Beat You?

A New Novel, Part 192 Should I Beat 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.

Matushka Ekaterina is a very wise and well trained woman.  She is comforting the distraught Aksinya...

“No, I think I loved her, but I killed her.” Aksinya let out a sob, “Why did I make that sound? What’s wrong with me?” Her shoulders shuddered.


Ekaterina moved next to Aksinya. She put her arms around the girl.

Aksinya sobbed again in a hoarse whisper, “You shouldn’t try to comfort me. Instead of comfort, I beat Natalya. I don’t deserve comfort.”

“Everyone who is confessed deserves comfort. That is what we call agape love.”

“I see. I wish I could see Natalya. I miss her so much.” Aksinya buried her face in her arms. Aksinya couldn’t speak for a while, “Do you think she will hate me now?”

“She may hate you.”

“Do you think that is why I am so sad?”

“I think there are many reasons why you are sad.” She gently stroked Aksinya’s hair.

“You really shouldn’t try to comfort me. I should not be comforted.”

Ekaterina held her more tightly, “Should I beat you?”

“It might be a good idea.”

“You said you were in pain already.”

“I am in great pain.”

“Is it from your burns?”

“Yes.”

“Then there is no reason to beat you if you are already in pain.”

“I see,” Aksinya sobbed.

“Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”

“Will that help you to love me?”

“Yes, and it will help me get to know you.”

Aksinya's confession was not over.  The morning just continues what the night had begun.  Aksinya is overwrought.  She is crying and she doesn't even understand what it is to cry.  She is in pain for many reasons, but doesn't connect her sadness with the pain she obviously feels in her heart.

Ekaterina is very compassionate and well trained at her job as the Matushka of the Ecclesia.  She comforts Aksinya.  Listen to her gentle, but strong tone.  I intentionally don't use much description in this scene so you will be drawn to Aksinya's words as well as her sadness.

Aksinya has a truly contrite heart.  She desires punishment to atone for her sin and evil.  Ekaterina's attitude is perfectly correct--the repentant deserve comfort.  That is indeed agape love.  God will not forgive without repentance and the repentant heart is a beautiful thing.  Aksinya could never see herself as beautiful at this time, but there is a beauty and serenity in her childish confession and childish view of the world.  It is still a world she does not fully understand.

Aksinya really did love Natalya.  She knows there has been a great breach in their trust and that breach might result in hate.  The theme about wishing to see Natalya is a foreshadowing and a recurring theme.  Ekaterina does not candy coat Aksinya's problems--Natalya might hate you.  Aksinya asks a very childlike question: “Do you think that is why I am so sad?”  We know why she is sad.  We know why Aksinya weeps.  We know that something monumental has happened in the life of this small, unloved, and unpretty woman who is Aksinya.  Aksinya cannot grasp what has happened.

Still, within the person who is Aksinya is still the Aksinya we know.  Listen to her response:“You really shouldn’t try to comfort me. I should not be comforted.”  She tells Ekaterina she should beat her--just as she beat Natalya.  Did you catch that.  Still Aksinya is already in pain and that pain is a direct consequence of her confession and previous actions.  Do you see the wonderful irony in this.  She wishes to be punished, yet she already is being punished.  This is what Ekaterina tells her in not so many words.  Then the Matushka asks the question we have wanted to ask Aksinya since the beginning: “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” We wanted to ask this of Aksinya.  We wanted to know more about her life.  I give you this through Ekaterina.  It is part of Aksinya's therapy.  It is part of her confession.  Tomorrow, about Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 191 Do You Hate Me?

A New Novel, Part 191 Do You Hate Me?



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 confessed to the priests and Matushka at the Ecclesia in Wien.  She wakes the next morning and is greeted by Matushka Ekaterina...

Ekaterina smiled, “You may call me Ekaterina, Countess.”

Aksinya’s lips didn’t exactly smile, but they turned up a little, “I wish you would call me Aksinya.”

“You know that isn’t possible, Countess.”

“It would please me, Ekaterina. Because of what I really am.”

“We all have our own problems… and sins… even the nobility.”

“Perhaps you don’t understand…”

“I heard it all last night.”

“Oh…then you hate me.”

Ekaterina laughed, “Not anymore than anyone else. It depends on what you mean by hate… and love. You know your Greek?”

Aksinya nodded.

“I am called to love you with the love only God can have—that is agape love. I think I can love you like that. I don’t not love you like that. There is also phileo, the kind of love between people who trust each other.” She smiled to take away the sting in her words, “I don’t know you well enough to have phileo love toward you.”

Aksinya look up from the sides of her eyes, “How might you come to love me like that?”

“By sharing together in work. By companionship and pleasant conversation. By sharing thoughts and ideas.”

“I see… I told you I murdered my lady-in-waiting. I know she loved me. I’m not certain I loved her.” Aksinya shook her head, “What is wrong with my eyes? They have been damp since I woke.”

“Let me look at them.” Ekaterina inspected Aksinya’s eyes, “What do you feel, Aksinya?”

“I feel very sad, and I feel great pain.”

“Your eyes are filled with tears.”

“I don’t remembering ever crying before.”

“But you are crying now.”

Aksinya laid her head on the table top, “Natalya cried all the time. I didn’t understand it. Do you think she was always sad? I think she loved me. Do you think she was that sad because of me?”

“I don’t know. Did you make her sad?”

“No, I think I loved her, but I killed her.” Aksinya let out a sob, “Why did I make that sound? What’s wrong with me?” Her shoulders shuddered.

Ekaterina moved next to Aksinya. She put her arms around the girl.

Aksinya is a person who does not understand normal human relationships or interaction.  She was raised in a noble family to be a countess.  She had few friends.  We will find that she was ostracised in her own household.  Aksinya chose sorcery and put away all the things of the world because of that.  Now, she is coming to understand what it means to be human.

Ekaterina asks Aksinya to call her by her name.  This is familiar, but not unacceptable or wrong for the culture.  Since Ekaterina is an older woman, she could demand Aksinya call her by her title, but she doesn't.  Aksinya already gave up her title--she just wishes to be Aksinya now.  That is not possible in this culture and especially for the Matushka.  Aksinya begs Ekaterina in the only way she knows to beg--because of what she is.

Then, do you see?  The purpose of a Matushka is to take care of the women in the Ecclesia.  Ekaterina is well equipped to aid Aksinya.  Listen to her words and response.  Perhaps few will ever have the opportunity to look after a person as broken as Aksinya, but Ekaterina knows what to do and how to respond.  She reminds Aksinya that she knows all Aksinya's confession--everything Aksinya told the priests.

Aksinya's response: “…then you hate me.”  Aksinya spent a while being rejected physically by the church--she expects to be rejected by those in the church.  Ekaterina's answer is classic.  It depends on what you mean by love and hate.  Love comes in many flavors--this is a new lesson for Aksinya.  Agape vs. phileo the love of God compared to the love of man.  Aksinya wishes to be loved, but we knew that.  She has been seeking love since the beginning of this novel.  She sought it from her family who unfortunately died and could not know the benefit she tried to purchase for them nor the cost of that benefit.  She sought comfort within herself.  She sought love through luxuria, sorcery, and lust.  It all comes down to the same thing.  Aksinya wishes to be appreciated for who and what she is; therefore, she is very interested in how she might win love like that. 

Those thoughts turn Aksinya's mind to Natalya.  She believes she murdered her lady-in-waiting.  Aksinya doesn't know what love is; she only knows that Natalya told her she loved her more than once.  Aksinya wants to know what is wrong with her eyes.  Aksinya has been crying.  We realize, with Ekaterina's words, Aksinya has been crying since she woke.  Her eyes are filled with tears.  Natalya cried all the time, was she always sad?  Was she sad because of me?  Aksinya is really thinking for the first time about someone else and about her own effect on another person.

This is the first time Aksinya showed this kind of emotion.  She couldn't cry for her family.  She couldn't mourn them.  She couldn't cry for Ernst or for Natalya--not before.  Aksinya is so unaccustomed to emotions, she doesn't realize what is happening to her.  Notice, there is very little description in this scene.  You are experiencing almost 100% of the scene through conversation.  This piece ends with Ekaterina consoling the sad Aksinya.  Tomorrow, more of this interaction.

A New Novel, Part 190 Thank you, Matushka

A New Novel, Part 190 Thank you, Matushka

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 priests and Matushka Ekaterina in the Ecclesia in Wien discussed what to do about Aksinya.  In the morning, she wakes...

Aksinya didn’t wake until late the next morning. The pain in her chest finally overcame even sleep. Her eyes opened to a dark windowless cell. She lay on a cot. Her hand went to her breast. The crucifix was still there and so was a deep stinging pain. Her eyes felt oddly damp. She wasn’t certain what that meant. Perhaps it was from straining to see in the darkness.


Her clothing had been changed. She felt the fabric. It was very coarse and thin. Her eyes were well enough acclimated to the darkness that she could make out much of the room. She sat up and set her feet on the floor. She sat on a cot. A woolen blanket had covered her. She was cold, and she needed to go to the toilet. There wasn’t anything else in the room.

Aksinya wanted to make some light. She knew exactly how, but she consciously stopped herself. She was confessed, and she intended never to do sorcery ever again.

Aksinya stood. She was a little wobbly. She staggered to the door and tried the latch. The door was locked. She tapped on it.

Almost immediately she heard a bar raised and a key scratch in the lock. The Matushka from the Ecclesia pushed open the door. She smiled at Aksinya and began to curtsy. Aksinya grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. Aksinya tried to speak, but her throat was raw, and she couldn’t squeeze even a squeak out of it. She shook her head. The Matushka took Aksinya’s hand, “Come with me, Countess. I’ll show you where the outhouse is and where the bathroom. Then we can go to breakfast.”

Aksinya nodded.

The Matushka kept very close to her. They went out the door at the back and to the outhouse behind the rectory. She waited for Aksinya then took her to the bathroom. The water was tepid, but it wasn’t cold. The Matushka stayed right beside Aksinya.

They went to the kitchen, and Aksinya sat down. The Matushka served Aksinya tea and a bread roll. She sat down opposite Aksinya and sipped on a cup of tea herself. After Aksinya had drunk half her tea, she tried her voice again. Her throat was still raw but she forced out in a hoarse whisper, “Thank you, Matushka.”

At last, the climax of the novel is complete.  We are beginning the falling action.  In most of my novels, the climax is near the end of the book.  In this one it is not.  We are not finished with Aksinya or with her very significant problems.  This calls for a strong sequence of falling action and indeed a secondary climax to round out the novel.  I will not reveal this to you now, but you might guess.

Aksinya has confessed, but how has the world changed for her.  Perhaps, like most of us, the world itself does not change, but our actions, priorities, and responsibilities become different.

Aksinya wakes to a dark and very bare room.  The pain of her burned chest wakes her.  Her eyes are oddly damp.  Don't miss this, it will become important later.  She attributes this to the darkened room.  With this technique I show you how dark the room is and I draw your attention to her damp eyes.  I don't want you to miss this.  She is dressed in a coarse dress.  She has only a woolen blanket and I show you again that the room is bare.  The room is cold.

I don't remark this directly to you, but it should be obvious that Aksinya has gone from the highest of the high to the lowest of the low.  Before she had heat and fine clothing in a fine house with fine servants.  Now, she has nothing, she is nothing.

She stops herself from doing any sorcery, and I tell you empthatically, she doesn't want to do sorcery ever again.  The door is latched.  Note her change of thought.  Before, Aksinya might have made a spell to open the door.  Before, she might have railed against the door or demanded to be let out.  Instead, she taps on it.

The Matushka was waiting for this.  She opens the door and makes a curtsy.  Aksinya tries to prevent her.  Aksinya can't speak.  The Matushka takes her to the outhouse and to the bathroom (note they are different). Aksinya has in some ways returned to the very beginning.  Do you remember, her house in Russia was not much different than this.  The water is a little warm.  It is the left over water from the use of the household.  The Matushka stays close to her.  Remember Father Dobrushin's warning--they must watch and keep Aksinya safe.  They don't want her to run away from the Ecclesia.

In the kitchen, we see again the contrast from before.  The meal is tea and a roll.  Do you remember all the wonderful food Aksinya liked at breakfast.  She always liked a hearty breakfast.  This is very different than her usual beginning.  We know Aksinya is kind to those who serve her.  Her first words are thanks.

There is a lot in this short section and we will see more of the contrast and actions of Aksinya tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 189 I Locked and Barred Her Door

A New Novel, Part 189 I Locked and Barred Her Door


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 confessed and told the priests and Matushka of the Ecclesia exactly who she was. The priests and Ekatrina are speaking together about what they should do...
Father Makar mumbled, “We still have to decide what to do with her.”


Father Dobrushin leaned back in the chair and the front legs raised a little off the floor.

Ekaterina tapped the table top and pointed at the chair.

Father Dobrushin lowered the chair to the floor, “Sorry.” He slouched a little in the seat, “Tomorrow morning, when she wakes, I’ll talk to her and try to get more information from her. Father Makar, why don’t you go speak to Reverend Mother Kluge at Sacré Coeur? She will know something about it.”

“What if we find the police are seeking her?”

Father Dobrushin opened his hands, “Why don’t we cross that road when we get there. For now, she is here and under our care.”

“What about the girl she said she killed?”

“Lady Natalya? I remember her. A member of the Russian court. You should find out how we can help her. If she is dead, she will need an Orthodox funeral. If she is alive, she will need all the help we can give her.”

“I understand. The Countess is delusional. The Lady is likely safe in her bed right now...”

Father Dobrushin smoothed his beard, “What I worry about is this demon, Asmodeus.”

“Surely you don’t believe any of that.”

“I don’t know what to believe. I know I will spend much of my time in prayer this evening about this very thing. I will also study everything I can to determine what we might do against such a demon.”

“I don’t believe any of it.”

Ekaterina puffed out her cheeks, “All I know is this girl’s clothing caught on fire from a crucifix around her neck. I can’t explain that either. How much less faith does it take to imagine a demon?”

Father Dobrushin cracked his neck and rubbed the back of his head, “I’m tired. It’s time to go to bed.” He stood, “Matushka, did you lock her door?”

“Yes. I locked and barred it.”

Father Dobrushin stretched, “Whatever happens, our little sorceress faces a lot in the future. It would be unwise for us to let her out of our sight for now.”

The same question yesterday, is the question today.  What will they do with Aksinya?  Father Makar thinks she is insane.  We are not certain what Ekaterina or Father Dobrushin think of her.  I warned you to imagine what others might think about Aksinya's confession.

I want to draw your attention to the youth of Father Makar and the character of Matushka Ekaterina.  The Father leans back in his chair and Ekatrina, like a mother, draws his attention to it to correct him.  Father Dobrushin is taking Aksinya's situation in a serious manner.  Notice, he knows the name of the Reverend Mother and of the school.  Aksinya and Natalya were going to the Ecclesia for a while.  It would be expected for the priests to know something about them.

Then Father Dobrushin brings up the topic of the demon.  This is a foreshadowing; about the demon, Father Dobrushin will spend time in thought, prayer, and study.  He is taking Aksinya and her problem seriously--as I mentioned.  Ekatrina brings up her little piece of proof.  This was enough for the Matushka.  She is willing to imagine anything based on this evidence.  We find that Ekatrina locked and barred Aksinya in her room.  They are not taking any risks.  Then we get a kicker and a nice word from Father Dobrushin: “Whatever happens, our little sorceress faces a lot in the future. It would be unwise for us to let her out of our sight for now.”  Tomorrow, Aksinya awakes.

A New Novel, Part 188 What Shall We Do with Her?

A New Novel, Part 188 What Shall We Do with Her?


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 confessed and told the priests and Matushka of the Ecclesia exactly who she was.  This is a problem for them and for her...

Ekaterina returned to the rectory kitchen.


Father Dobrushin glanced up. He asked in Russian, “Is she all right?”

“Obviously in pain and sleeping fitfully, but I don’t think she will awake for a while.”

Father Maker pulled his fingers through his hair, “Dear God what are we going to do about her?”

Father Dobrushin’s face fell into an appearance of serious introspection, “What do you mean Makar?”

“What I mean is that we have an insane girl in there,” he pointed toward the bare bedroom where they placed Aksinya. “She confessed to murder. She is a Russian Countess. Someone will soon come looking for her…”

Ekaterina sat at the table, “What would you have us do, Makaruska? Turn her in to the authorities? Throw her out on the streets?”

“I…I don’t know. What she confessed…can we even believe it—sorcery?”

Ekaterina put her hand on Makar’s, “The crucifix around her neck burned her chest and her clothing. From the looks of the scars, it had been burning her for a long time. It was hot enough to catch her clothing on fire. Whatever caused that was a true miracle.”

“Plus, her hands and arms are scarred everywhere,” Father Dobrushin added

Father Makar pursed his lips, “What does that have to do with anything?”

“When I was in the seminary, my mentor, Father Alexis, introduced me to the church texts that describe sorcery. One of the key identifying features in those who are sorcerers is scars on their hands and many times on other parts of their bodies.”

Father Makar shook his head, “Why is that?”

“Sorcery requires blood for sacrifice. They use knives during the rites to cut their hands or arms.”

“What about the other parts of the body?”

“According to the texts, failed spells result in wounds. Sorcerers can be known by these marks.”

Father Makar sighed, “You know I’ve worked a long time with the insane. Those who cut themselves display similar marks.”

“Sorcerer’s scars are always fully healed.”

“And why is that?”

“The result of successful sorcery is the healing of the wounds.”

“I’m not sure I believe any of this…”

Ekaterina frowned at her husband, “Not even the crucifix?”

Father Makar mumbled, “We still have to decide what to do with her.”

Okay, I love these kinds of scenes.  The main character is carefully out of the way, so now we have the opportunity to show exactly what others might think of her.  The priests and the Matushka sit around their kitchen table and reflect on Aksinya.

Father Dobrushin is concerned about Aksinya.  The Matushka, Ekaterina likewise.  Father Makar is concerned with what they should do with Aksinya.  The archpriest has a problem on his hands.  He doesn't believe in her sorcery.  He thinks she is insane.  He imagines quite rightly that an insane countess in the Russian community could be a very bad problem for him.  Additionally, Aksinya claimed to murder.  Someone will come looking...

Ekaterina grounds him with her words.  What would you have us do, and that brings up Father Makar's great fear--sorcery.  Ekaterina points out the indisputable--the crucifix was burning Aksinya and her clothing.  Still Father Makar doesn't want to believe it.  Father Dobrushin adds to their knowledge.  Aksinya's hands and arms are scarred everywhere.  Now, I give you some esoteric information about sorcerers.  You knew this already from Aksinya's lips, but the proof is doubled by coming from Father Dobrushin.  Father Alexis is a reference to the future patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church.  He is a character in one of my other novels, so it was fun to introduce him here as the mentor to Father Dobrushin.

Father Makar gives his own impression of Aksinya's cutting.  She is showing the typical behavior of the insane.  Father Dobrushin points out the fact that sorcerer scars are always fully healed.  Still Makar doesn't believe any of it.  Not even when Ekaterina points out the burning crucifix again.  He goes back to his singular point: “We still have to decide what to do with her.”  Tomorrow, More about what to do about Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 187 I am a Sorceress

A New Novel, Part 187 I am a Sorceress

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 begins her confession.  She is in the singular place where she faces great pain.  She is in the middle of an act Asmodeus ordered her to not commit...

Aksinya began to tremble and the crucifix over her heart felt as though it was on fire.


Father Dobrushin held her hands more tightly, “Go on...”

Aksinya continued, “Father, I am a sorceress.” Aksinya raised her face and cried out, “Let me confess. You can’t stop me. All the pain in the world will not stop me from confessing.”

Father Dobrushin stiffened, “Who is stopping you?”

“All the devils in hell are trying to stop me in this.”

Father Makar’s voice came from the side, “She can’t confess. She is not right in her mind.”

Father Dobrushin commanded, “Tell me, Aksinya, your sin. I will listen.”

“I brought a demon up from the pit. He was the Demon Asmodeus. You must know of him. He was the demon who tormented Raguel's daughter, Sarah. He killed her bridegrooms when they came to her. He was the one that Solomon wrote about in the Testament of Solomon. Tobias forced him into upper Egypt, but he came to me when I called him, and I bound him to myself in a contract. Asmodeus is the demon of luxuria and lust. I have worked much evil through him and he through me, but the worst is that I am truly a sorceress.”

“Can there be such a being? She is insane.” Father Makar’s exasperated voice came again.

Father Dobrushin turned his head a little, “She believes it with all her heart. Such a thing can be.” He faced Aksinya again, “Please, confess everything you wish, Aksinya.”

“I desired to seduce Herr von Taaffe, but my lady-in-waiting was encouraged by the demon to sleep with him for my sake. Because of that, I sent Herr von Taaffe away and I beat the Lady Natalya. I think I killed her.” Aksinya gave a cry. “I am guilty of so many sins, I can’t begin to tell them all to you. I used sorcery to kill. I used it to harm. I have done nothing but harm others for my entire life.”

Matushka Ekaterina stepped beside them, “Father Dobrushin, something is burning. I thought it was the tapers, but I can see smoke near you.”

Aksinya cried out again. She yanked her hand from the priest’s and placed it over her heart.

Ekaterina yelled, “She is burning.” The Matushka ripped the front of Aksinya’s dress open. The fabric was charred. The camisole beneath it was smoking. Ekaterina pulled the burning fabric away from Aksinya’s chest. Her bare skin was singed. The beautiful gold crucifix was almost glowing. A repeatedly blackened mark marred Aksinya’s small breasts. It was shaped like a cross. Ekaterina grasped the chain and pulled the crucifix away from Aksinya’s skin, “Let her continue. She must continue.”

Aksinya seemed oblivious to everything. She whispered, “If I were to confess everything I would be here on my knees for weeks, and I’m not certain I have the strength for another minute.”

Ekaterina called out, “Absolve her. Absolve the girl so I can do something to help her.”

Father Dobrushin placed his right hand on Aksinya’s head and loudly announced, “May God have mercy upon you, and may He guide you to everlasting life through the authority of priesthood which was entrusted by our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples who, in turn, entrusted it to their successors until it was given me; I who am weak and sinful, absolve you, Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna of all the sins that you have confessed and are repentant of them, as well as of all the transgressions which have escaped your memory in the Name of the Father, amen, and of the Son, amen and of the Holy Spirit for everlasting life. Amen.”

Aksinya screamed and arched her back. Ekaterina held her tightly. Father Dobrushin rose and lifted Aksinya up with him. He kissed her cheeks. The crucifix was suddenly cold. Aksinya, senseless, fell forward into his arms.

Now, on to the confession.  You knew some of what Aksinya had to confess, but unless you went and read Tobit, you didn't know the half of it.  Do you imagine, the great and wise Aksinya would have chosen a demon without knowing exactly his origins and being?  Do you imagine that she did not know exactly who she was calling on?

Aksinya plainly tells Father Dobrushin that she is a sorceress.  I told you yesterday how her confession might be received.  You can see now exactly how it was accepted.  Father Dobrushin, caught up in the moment, seems to believe her, but Father Makar thinks she is crazy.  Aksinya's actions during her confession seem reasonable to us, but listen closely to them--they sound insane to Father Makar, and the other two aren't certain what to make of what she says.  We'll find out more later.

So, now you know all about the demon Asmodeus.  There is some more, but most of that I've fed you through the novel, and you don't have to worry, I'll give you the rest before the end.  You will be well acquainted with this particular demon.  I chose him because we have so much common and ancient information on him.

Father Makar does not believe there can be demons.  He doesn't believe there can be sorcery.  Doesn't his testimony shock you out of the ideas I've shaped in your mind for the last 15 chapters?  For those chapters, there was no question.  Sorcery was real, and the demon was real.  Aksinya was sane, and slightly strange, a wild girl, but not insane.  Now, suddenly, Aksinya is not sane, sorcery is not real, and a demon can't exist.  I'm not going to play with your mind the way I did in Aegypt, but I want to draw your attention to a plot device I chose not to use.  I do hope you are now concerned about how the world in the novel will view Aksinya, but I have not fully caught you up in that dilemma.  In Aegypt, I made you wait until the bitter end to realize whether Paul Bolang was imagining the agent that affected his world.  In this novel, I'll let you alone and allow you to know in your heart Aksinya is sane, and the demon is real.  In another novel, I will perhaps not let that be.

From Aksinya's lips we get a synopsis of what has happened and we hear what we knew already, but had not been said directly.  Her confession ends in hyperbole, but why should it not.  It is not a lie--Aksinya can't imagine a time when she did not seek luxuria and sorcery.  This was a great harm to herself and others--it was also a great help to others, but that's another issue.

Now to the great kicker here after the climax.  I take you back to the reality of the book.  I promised I would.  I did not design this novel to leave Father Makar's ideas unchallenged.  The Matushka Ekaterina notices smoke near Aksinya.  The cross is burning Aksinya's skin and her clothing.  Ekaterina sees that Aksinya is burning and rips open her dress to reveal the cross and its effects.

Ekaterina is wise.  She directs Father Dobrushin to absolve Aksinya so she can be fully confessed.  The absolution is the traditional Orthodox translated into English.  The result of the absolution is a catharsis--it should be.  This is exactly the right point.  The uncontrolled actions of Aksinya are a foreshadowing.  Tomorrow, we see the direct aftermath of the confession.

A New Novel, Part 186 You Must Be in Your Right Mind to Confess

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.

When Father Dobrushin carries Aksinya into the Ecclesia, she vomits and can't stop. The cross burns her. In spite of her pain, she demands to be confessed...

Aksinya croaked out, “Not ill. It is the evil in me.” She opened her eyes and tugged at his cassock, “You must confess me.”

He sighed again, “I will confess you, but you must be able to speak. You must be in your right mind.”

“I beg you. Let me kneel at the altar. I will tell everything to you.”

“To God.”

“God will not listen to me anymore. I forsook Him. But you will do.”

Father Dobrushin made a sound that was a cross between a sob and a laugh.

“Don’t mock me. You can’t know.”

“I don’t know until you tell me. I will listen to you. Are you well enough that I can carry you again?”

Aksinya nodded, but the nausea still filled her body and the taste and smell of vomit in her mouth only made it worse.

Father Dobrushin lifted her again. Aksinya swallowed and fought down the desire to retch. The crucifix still burned against her skin. Father Dobrushin placed her on her knees and held her hands. She would have fallen on her face otherwise.

Aksinya pulled one hand from Father Dobrushin’s and made the sign of the cross. She gave a cry. Father Dobrushin grasped her hand again before she could topple over. Aksinya began: “I confess to God the Father Almighty,” She gagged slightly then rushed through the words, “and to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, in the presence of Virgin Mary and all angels, prophets, seventy-two emissaries, twelve apostles and four evangelists, and confess in the faith of the three holy synods of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus, trusting in the honorable priestly authority conferred upon you, Father Dobrushin, by which you bind and retain sins.” Aksinya paused and took a shallow breath, “I have sinned in thought, word and deed. I repent my sins. You are the master, and I am the servant. Accept me as the prodigal son. I have sinned against heaven and against you. I believe that you have authority to bind and retain sins and that you are the mediator between God and me. And I pray that you deliver me from all my sins by your priestly authority that I may obtain forgiveness. I pray that you remember me before God, in your prayers and in the holy Qurbono. Amen.” Aksinya began to tremble and the crucifix over her heart felt as though it was on fire.

Aksinya has a serious problem. Her problem will not be solved with a confession, and she knows this. It is, however, a potential beginning. Father Dobrushin repeats Father Makar's warning. He isn't certain either whether Aksinya is sane or well. Do you see how I set all this up for you and for Aksinya? You and she were blindly moving along with the idea that the demon was real and that everything was real. Perhaps it is and perhaps it isn't. How will this play out in Buffalo? Only Aksinya can see the demon, Asmodeus, as he really is. He can hide his voice and his shape. Like I said, how do you think this will play with others in the real world, because we have moved to a more real world? In some ways, the world before this was a dream world. It is a world where all of Aksinya's desires were coming real. She had people who loved and respected her. She had a friend. She had her sorcery and her books of sorcery. She had her house and her family's possessions. Aksinya has moved into the real world--could it be that all these things she had were just like tissue paper in rain? The rain is falling now.

What will Aksinya's experiences seem like to these people? Aksinya has no idea yet what could happen or what her confession might sound like to them. She is warned. Still, she begs to confess.

Father Dobrushin tells Aksinya to confess to God. Of course this is right, but Aksinya doesn't believe God will listen to her anymore. She forsook God. Listen to her words: "But you will do.” Father Dobrushin's reaction makes the point more exact. He realizes how far Aksinya has fallen. He doesn't mock her as Aksinya thinks; he is so filled with sadness for her, he can't hold back his emotions. He remains strong and helpful to her anyway. He holds her at the altar so she can confess. He is a gentle man.

Watch as Aksinya begins her confession. First the sign of the cross. That pains her more. I don't tell you this, I show you this through her cry and again Father Dobrushin holds her up.


Since I do a lot of historical writing, I love to place historical accuracy in my novels. Here, I have an English translation of a turn of the century Orthodox confessional prayer. Aksinya has memorized this, of course, since childhood. The point is a historical marker to the times and for the place. This is not the confession; it is the predecessor to a confession. Thus, at the end: Aksinya began to tremble and the crucifix over her heart felt as though it was on fire. Tomorrow, the confession.

A New Novel, Part 185 You Must Know What I Am

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.



After disgracing her fiance, beating her friend bloody, and cursing her servants, Aksinya ran to the Ecclesia in Wien the priests and the Matushka (wife of one of the priests) welcome her and try to help her.  Aksinya has reached the end of all hope--she just wants to be confessed...


Aksinya’s eyes flashed open. The light was too bright and she closed them again. She panted still in a hoarse whisper, “I am a murderer. I must confess.” She held out her hands.

“They are covered with blood…”

The Father Makar’s voice spoke too gently, “Just a few scrapes—a little blood.” The tone of the voice lowered and changed slightly, “Father Dobrushin? Will you confess her?”

Aksinya cried out, “You must all listen. You must know what I am.”

“That isn’t the way it is usually done, child.”

“For me, you must listen to my confession. Then you must give me over to them. My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”

The woman’s voice, “She sounds serious.”

Father Makar replied, “Ekaterina, she’s delirious, unbalanced. Such a confession is irregular, and a confession from an unbalanced mind…”

Father Dobrushin clasped Aksinya a little more tightly, “I will hear your confession, Countess.”

“Don’t call me that. I am nothing now. I am nothing.”

“Take her into the Ecclesia.”

Ekaterina spoke, “I’ll light the candles.”

Father Makar’s voice was tired, “I’ll get the sacrament.”

Father Dobrushin carried Aksinya little farther. Aksinya felt the crucifix between her breasts begin to heat. They passed through a doorway, and the heat increased suddenly and nausea overwhelmed her. She gagged and bile filled her mouth. She breathed in and vomit burned her nose and throat. Father Dobrushin made a sound, “Are you all right?” He placed Aksinya on the floor and lifted her head.

Aksinya couldn’t stop retching. Her body writhed. The priest held her until she couldn’t retch anymore. The crucifix still burned against her skin.

Father Dobrushin gave a great sigh, “She is ill.”

Aksinya croaked out, “Not ill. It is the evil in me.” She opened her eyes and tugged at his cassock, “You must confess me.”

Aksinya is at the end of everything.  She knows the demon betrayed her (what else could she expect).  Natalya betrayed her.  Ernst betrayed her.  She believes that everyone and everything in the world has and will betray her.  Whatever the truth, she testifies that she is a murderer and that she wishes to confess.  She offers her hands as proof.  Ekaterina sees blood.  Father Makar sees "just a few scrapes".  This is intentional.  In the real world, we generally don't see direct contradictions or opposite conclusions like this.  In a novel, I can show you this great contrast in the way Ekaterina sees Aksinya and the way Father Makar sees her.  Father Makar has worked with the insane.  We will find this out later, but it is worthwhile to note here (an early revelation).  He is used to this kind of wild behaviour.  He thinks Aksinya is insane.  We, on the other hand, know much about Aksinya.  She is not insane at all, but how do you imagine her story will sound to others. 
 
You have all been living a dream with me about the unlovely Countess Aksinya.  The dream about her seems so real, but now, now the sudden daylight will flood over her dream and your dream.  How will that dream appear to the world, to the church, to the powerful people in Wien?
 
Watch Father Makar, his voice always gives him away.  He thinks he can hide it from others--that is he believes he can hide his thoughts, but he is too transparent and too truthful.  He has worked with the insane for a long time.  He will not confess Aksinya.  Aksinya's confession is not private.  She knows it can't be private.  Is this another trick of the demon or just self destructive behaviour from Aksinya?
 
Father Makar warns her.  Even the confessions of the insane are keep confidential.  Listen to Aksinya's words.  They are filled with truth:  "My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”
 
Ekaterina is the voice of empathy.  That is the point of her character, as you will discover.  She is listening to Aksinya.  She feels for Aksinya.  Perhaps the same kind of hopelessness overflowed her heart at some time.  We don't know, but we feel the empathy in her words.  Father Makar applies a pure rational understanding.  He knows about unbalanced minds.  We will find that Father Makar is not a voice for empathy at all.
 
The too serrious Father Dobrushin, clasps Aksinya more tightly.  He will hear her confession.  He does know her great need, at least on some level.  Aksinya denys her heratige and her name.  She is nothing--she has reached the lowest point in her life. 
 
We aren't certain who orders them into the Ecclesia--it seems like Father Makar.  Perhaps he is relenting.  He is not totally spiritually unaware.  Ekaterina will light the candles.  Father Makar will get the sacrament.  Father Dobrushin will confess Aksinya.
 
As they approach and enter the Ecclesia, the cross around Aksinya's neck reacts.  It is reacting to Aksinya, not to the Ecclesia.  Likewise, the evidence of Aksinya's spritual fall, she becomes nauseous.  She vomits and Father Dobrushin has to put her down.  We can see the father as a compassionate character.  You can imagine the mess he is having to put up with.  I don't mention it because it can be implied from the descriptions and the dialog.  This has happened to Aksinya in varying degrees since the beginning of her time in Wien.  It is just a simple extension of that.  Where this would be a cliche, if it just suddenly happened, can't be a cliche, it has occured every time Aksinya entered a church.  It represent's Aksinya's spiritual turmoil, therefore, it is worse now than at any time.
 
Father Dobrushin is afraid Aksinya is ill, both body and mind.  This would make a confession impossible.  Still, Aksinya insists.  Tomorrow, the confession.

A New Novel, Part 184 Confess Me

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 beat Natalya until she was bloody and motionless and ran out of her house.  She ran through the streets of Wien until she could not run any further, and she falls before a door.  The door opens...

The darkness enveloped her and she fell again. The cold ground was hard against her burning cheeks. She lay there panting for a long time. Then before her, a door creaked open. Light streamed through the opening. Aksinya raised her face from the cobbles. A voice called out in the darkness, “Who’s there? Who is it?”


Aksinya thought she recognized the voice. She couldn’t immediately place where she had heard it. She squinted into the light, but she couldn’t make out anything except a dark silhouette. Without much thought, without much more than a whisper, Aksinya cried out, “Save me. Please save me. I’ve nothing left. I’m dead to everything.”

A step came next to her ear. Someone knelt beside her. The voice came to her again, “Who is it?”

“Aksinya. It is Aksinya.”

A hand grasped her arms and lifted her up, “Are you alright, Countess?”

Aksinya didn’t answer.

Another voice came from the doorway, “Father Dobrushin, what is it?”

“I think it is the Countess Golitsyna.”

“Here? At this time of night? Do you need help?”

“No, Father Makar, she isn’t heavy.”

Aksinya felt herself lifted from the ground. Father Dobrushin held her close and carried her through the open doorway. Aksinya heard the door shut behind them.

Someone touched her face and felt her forehead. The hand was soft and gentle, it brushed the hair away from her face. A woman’s voice this time, “Is she ill? I don’t think she has a fever.”

Aksinya couldn’t speak properly. Her voice was rough and torn, “Father, father, please confess me. I must confess, for I am guilty of much evil.”

The woman’s voice chuckled, “Confess you, Countess. Let us take you back to your house.”

“I have murdered. I can’t go back there. They will be coming for me soon, and I must confess now before it is too late.”

“Murdered?”

Aksinya’s eyes flashed open. The light was too bright and she closed them again. She panted still in a hoarse whisper, “I am a murderer. I must confess.” She held out her hands.

“They are covered with blood…”

Now you know, Aksinya's steps took her straight to the Ecclesia, the Orthodox church in Wien.  If you remember, I told you, the Ecclesia was a ways straight down the street where Aksinya lived and Sacré Coeur is.  I set this up from almost the beginning.  If you remember, the Freiherr and Freifrau took Aksinya and Natalya to the Ecclesia.  You have been there with them at least 4 or 5 times.  You know they went there regularly.  I introduced the two priests and the wife of the archpriest to you.  You know they are Father Makar, Father Dobrushin, and Matushka Ekaterina.  The reason I so carefully and painstakingly brought in this place and these characters was for just this moment.  This is how you develop and set up such a situation so it is not cliched or a deus ex machina.  The trick is to place, populate, and familiarize your readers well before hand.  If Aksinya rushed out of her house and ran through the streets to the only Orthodox church in Wien, some of you might buy that, but I hope not.  On the other hand, if the enraged, grieving, and obviously guilty Aksinya rushes straight down the street to a place she has been many times before and happens to arrive at exactly the place she needs to be, that is almost expected.  It certainly isn't surprising.  It is artistry instead of accident.  That's the point, in your writing, few if anything can appear as if it is an accident.
 
So, from yesterday,m we have this delightful metaphor about darkness.  The darkness, the door, the opening of it, the light from it.  These are all metaphor and analogy.  Their import should be obvious.  Aksinya is seeking.  Someone has found her.
 
Aksinya thinks she recognizes the voice.  This is to produce excitement and tension in the reader.  As of yet, we don't know where Aksinya is, and she doesn't know either.  This is an example of not knowing anymore than the main character.  Listen to Aksinya's words.  She hasn't practiced them.  They come from the depths of her soul.  Isn't this the words you knew she would say?  Listen again:  “Save me. Please save me. I’ve nothing left. I’m dead to everything.”
 
The person who called out to her comes to Aksinya's side.  He asks her who she is, and her reply is simple.  The person immediately recognizes her.  Aksinya doesn't answer because this is completely surprising to her.  She came here, but she didn't expect to arrive here.  Then we find out where Aksinya is--where else could there be a Father Dobrushin? 
 
Then we can identify Father Makar.  Notice, nowhere do I tell you they are at the Ecclesia in Wien.  Isn't that tricky?  I make an entire setting in place without telling you where you are.  I'm happy to share this writing technique.
 
At the same time we and Aksinya are learning where we are, the priests are discovering who is at their doorstep.  Already Father Dobrushin has lifted Aksinya.  I tell you that, but Father Dobrushin's response tells you more "She's light."  Then the father lifts her in his arms.  I don't tell you how, but you know he lifted her into his arms and held her close as he carried her into the building.  All this time, I'm trying to let you sense the world through Aksinya's experience.  Her eyes are closed.  All these events are happening around her and to her.
 
Next someone very gently touches her face and forehead.  You know Ekaterina is checking for fever--just like a mother.  I don't need to tell you this, it is obvious from the context and then the dialog shows you.
 
When Aksinya knows where she is and who is with her, she croaks through her injured throat: “Father, father, please confess me. I must confess, for I am guilty of much evil.”  Is this so unexpected?  We know Aksinya wanted to confess since she came to Wien.  Do you remember the demon?  He told her not to confess.  Ekaterina makes light of it.  She can't imagine what Aksinya might wish to confess.  Isn't that like many people?  They have a great need to confess, but when they finally can, their friends try to tell them there is no need.  But we know Aksinya has a great need to confess. 
 
The unbelievable (to the priests and Ekaterina) comes out of Aksinya's lips.  We know what she has been through and what she has done.  They don't have any idea.  Aksinya reaches out, and Ekaterina sees the blood on Aksinya's hands.  This is an important metaphor--there is blood on Aksinya's hands.  It happens to literally be on her hands right now.  We continue in the Ecclesia tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 94 Father Dobrushin

At the Ecclesia, we meet three very critical characters.  This meeting is a foreshadowing and a key point in the plot and theme.  I begin with the introduction of Father Makar.

At the end of the service, the Freiherr introduced the Priests to her, “Father Makar.” The Freiherr stumbled over the simple Russian pronunciation. Father Makar was a short man with a very calm face. His smile pressed through his full beard and even touched Aksinya’s heart. The Freiherr continued, “This is the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.”


Father Makar put his hands together, “We heard that you were in the city, Countess. We are very pleased to greet you in our Ecclesia.”

Aksinya held her handkerchief before her lips. The crucifix burned against her chest, “Good day, Father.”

“Are you all right, Countess? You seem a little pale.”

“I did not get much sleep last night. I am well enough, thank you.”

“Then please let me introduce my wife, the Matushka Ekaterina.” He pointed at a woman who was a little shorter than he. Her features were as pleasant as his. Her face was round and her eyes large. She gave an impression of youth, but her hair was gray and she wasn’t more than a decade younger than Father Makar.

Matushka Ekaterina’s voice was gentle. She took Aksinya’s hand and curtsied, “Good day, Countess. I hope to make your further acquaintance.”

Aksinya couldn’t imagine a person she would less like to be close to, but she simply nodded.

Father Makar waved the other priest over to them. He was young and tall. His hair was not gray and his face unwrinkled. He appeared not more than thirty, but that was difficult to tell since he wore a priest’s typical beard. The beard was a little less than full, but it seemed to fit his face. His face was fine boned and gentle. At that moment, his features did not appear very pleasant to Aksinya. His mouth was set in a severe frown. He gazed at Aksinya with unconcealed concern. Father Makar still smiled, “This, Countess, is Father Dobrushin. Countess, don’t let Father Dobrushin’s demeanor bother you. He is young and still too solemn…”

Aksinya spoke from behind her handkerchief, “He does not hate me because I am a member of the aristocracy, does he?”

Father Dobrushin tried to smile, “I’m sorry for my appearance, Countess. I do support our Russian nobility, but I felt that you were not comfortable here and that concerned me.”

“Not comfortable?” Father Makar gave Aksinya a second appraisal. “Father Dobrushin is usually very sensitive about theses things. Are you certain, Countess, that you are well?”

Aksinya could not smile, “Don’t concern yourself about me. I am well and comfortable,” she lied. “I will feel better when I have dined. If you will excuse me?”

The priests bowed and the Matushka curtsied.

Father Makar seems to be a pleasant person.  We will learn later, he is an archpriest in the Orthodox church.  Is is not a bad man or a bad priest.  He has obviously built up a wealthy Ecclesia.  He is gentle and impresses Aksinya at least so she has no negative opinion.  Aksinya's problem is her nausea and her crucifix that burns her chest.  This is obviously in reaction to the Ecclesia. 
 
Father Makar notices Aksinya's distress.  He doesn't understand it.  Aksinya lies about what disturbs her.  Father Makar introduces his wife.  The wife of an Orthodox priest is called a Matushka.  A Matushka helps her husband in the work of the Ecclesia.  She is expected to help the priest especially with the women of the congregation.  The Matushka Ekaterina is a nice woman.  Aksinya can't stand her because he is gentle, personable, and mature.  Note, these are all the characteristics of Natalya.  The are the characteristics Aksinya didn't like about Natalya to begin with.  They are the characteristics that Aksinya claimed not to have.
 
Then we meet Father Dobrushin.  Father Dobrushin is young.  He notices Aksinya has some problem.  He is sensitive, as Father Makar noted.  Aksinya's answer is defensive and insensitive.  She asks the obvious question you would expect from this time.  A person who frowns at a Countess might be a Bolshevik.  That wasn't the reason Father Dobrushin frowned.
 
Father Makar trusts Father Dobrushin's judgements--at least right now.  Aksinya lies again.  In this short series of introductions, we see the two priests and the Matushka.  The Father Dobrushin is sensitive and interested in Aksinya.  Father Makar is concerned but breezy.  We needed to meet them all.