A New Novel, Part 219 We Will Not Allow You to Escape

11 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 219 We Will Not Allow You to Escape

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 the street before her house.  The inquisitors and the policeman are fighting over who gets to arrest her.  Aksinya is cold...

Aksinya was trembling.  She shuffled her feet again.

The sergeant noticed.  He stepped closer to her to block her escape.

The Captain nodded, “Good, Sergeant Nagel.”  He turned toward Aksinya, “We will not allow you to escape, Fraulein.  We have been seeking you for a long time.”

Aksinya’s teeth chattered, “I’m not trying to escape.  I am very cold.  Would one of you make up your mind, please?”

 Archinquisitor Gallo sniffed, “This isn’t some kind of game—as you will shortly learn.”

Aksinya wrapped her arms around her body, “Captain Gerber, I surrender myself to you.”  She held out her hands for a moment then quickly pulled them back for warmth.

The Archinquisitor stepped toward Aksinya, “That is not acceptable.  Inquisitor Esposito take the woman into custody.”

The Inquisitor’s German was also strongly accented, “If you please, Fraulein, come with me.”

Aksinya glanced at the Captain.  He returned the papers to the Archinquisitor, “I’m sorry, Fraulein Golitsyna, right now, the church has legitimate and legal claims against you, but in the near future, I will have the opportunity to arrest you again.”

Inquisitor Esposito stepped behind Aksinya and grasped her elbows.  He turned her and marched her toward the waiting coach.  At that moment, the doors to Sacré Coeur opened.  The Reverend Mother ran out.  She was followed closely by Sister Margarethe and Frau Drescher.  The Reverend Mother cried out, “Countess, Countess, we were searching for you.”  The Reverend Mother couldn’t take Aksinya’s hand because the Inquisitor held her arms.  She bent her neck toward Aksinya.

     Archinquisitor Gallo took a deep breath, “Reverend Mother, do not show any respect to this woman.  She is accused of sorcery along with much more evil.  She shall be tried for these crimes.”

Aksinya is freezing.  You do remember how sensitive she is to the cold.  The police sergeant thinks Aksinya is about to run for it.  Listen to the words of the Captain: "We have been seeking you for a long time.”  Wait a second.  Didn't Father Makar tell Aksinya, Father Dobrushin, and Ekaterina that no one was looking for Aksinya.  Is this a trick of Asmodeus or did Father Makar hide the truth from everyone.  If he hid the truth, then he did have some degree of compassion for Aksinya.

You notice, I get some levity into the terrible circumstances--Aksinya demands that one of them make up their mind so she can get to a warmer place.  The Archinquisitor isn't very humorous.  Aksinya makes a very good decision, she surrenders herself to the police.  Look at how I use advanced writing techniques to tell you how cold Aksinya is.  The inquisitors arrest Aksinya and look at the irony, the police will arrest her when the inquisitors are done with her.  We still don't know the charges for the police to arrest her.

As they near the inquisitor's coach, the Reverend Mother, Sister Margarethe, and Frau Drescher come out.  The Reverend Mother adds to our information--they were searching for Aksinya too.  You knew the inquisitors were searching for her.  Everyone was looking for Aksinya.  The Reverend Mother shows respect to Aksinya, and the Archinquisitor warns her.  You can see how this will go.  Tomorrow, what about Natalya?

A New Novel, Part 116 The Abbot

I hope you find my commentary cogent most of the time.  I work 40/40 on my day job and my other jobs.  If you don't know what I do, just take a look at my websites.  I should post my schedule.  Just so you know, I prep this blog the night before and release it into the wild before I have to get ready for work at 0700.  As I said, I hope it is cogent.  I thought by releasing this novel, I would make the blogging easier.  Perhaps it has ensured sufficient material for commentary.

That said, the Advent party at the Bockmann's has just begun.  Aksinya followed by Natalya have made their appearance.  Now, they take their positions...

Freiherr Bockmann took Aksinya by the arm and led her to one of the great fireplaces. A wood fire roared within it. He sat Aksinya in a chair that faced the ballroom. Natalya stood at Aksinya’s side. At first, the Freifrau and Freiherr sat and conversed with Aksinya about the people she would meet that evening and the weather. When the guests began to arrive, they stood beside Aksinya and greeted each one. The guests were announced by the house steward and directed to the Freifrau and Freiherr. Freifrau Bockmann introduced each guest to Aksinya. She did so formally and with gravity and used Aksinya’s full name, Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna. She then introduced the Lady Natalya.


Aksinya’s memory was excellent, but after the first fifty couples, she lost track entirely. Then the young single men arrived followed by the Catholic churches’ leaders in the city. Among this group, Aksinya remembered only the Cardinal of Wien and the Abbot of Sacré Coeur. The Cardinal was a pinch faced older man with an Italian accent. His secretary, Herr Schwab followed him everywhere. The Abbot was jollier and a little younger with a great smile and a back country tone to his German. They both seemed pleasant men.

When all the guests had been received, Aksinya was left enthroned in her seat at the fireplace. Natalya brought her a glass of wine and a plate of food. Most of the guests stood a polite distance away from Aksinya as though they were afraid to approach the Countess although they had been introduced. Eventually, the Abbot stepped up beside Aksinya. He bowed, “Dear Countess, I understand you are attending Sacré Coeur.”

“Yes Father Abbot, my lady-in-waiting and I are both attending.”

“That is what I heard from the Reverend Mother. Your progress…”

“Is less than expected.”

“Yes, I’d heard that too. Is our curriculum not to your liking?”

“Not at all. Lady Natalya is learning German. The language is new to her. I must ensure she gains this skill before I can focus on my studies.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I thought I made this clear to the Reverend Mother.”

“The Reverend Mother is entirely complementary toward you. She has not said a negative word concerning you at all. I have other sources. My job is to keep an eye on the school and the convent. You are one of our most important students, so I keep an eye out for you too.”

“Thank you, Father Abbot.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I hope Sacré Coeur can be like a family to you. We do wish you to feel comfortable... and to succeed.”

“I shall apply myself as well as I can. My lady-in-waiting is very bright and is nearly ready to advance in her basic language knowledge. I think in the next semester, I will be able to focus on my other work.”

“I will hold you to that.”

“Please don’t. The needs of my servant and friend are much more important to me than my own progress.”

The Abbot took a sharp breath.

“You needn’t be so surprised. This is what my father taught me. He oversaw a very large estate in Russia with thousands under his care. The needs of the people are necessary to maintain their dignity and your honor.”

The Abbot bowed, “Even so, you are very wise, Countess.”

Aksinya’s smile slipped, “Not so wise as cautious, but thank you.”

The Freiherr settles Aksinya at her place.  Note the location and the deferential attitude of the Freiherr and Freifrau.  The house has a wood fire, and Aksinya gets to sit in the warmth before it.  Aksinya's aunt and uncle entertain her until the party really begins.  Then the guests start to arrive.  Aksinya is the new toast of the town--the sweetheart of the nobility.  Like everywhere, the excitement is with the novue and the unusual--Aksinya is both.  The party is obviously well attended, and then we get with the single men along with the Catholic church leaders.  I give you a short description of each of the leaders because I want you to remember them--we will meet them again.

Finally, the guests have all arrived and Aksinya is left...alone?  She was the toast of the ball and the town.  You might wonder about that.  In any case, Aksinya gets her food and her wine, but little company--until the Abbot steps forward.

The Abbot is interested in Aksinya's studies.  He knows a lot about her.  Aksinya tells the truth.  She has no reason to lie.  Aksinya reports to him the same thing she has told the teachers and the Reverend Mother.  The Abbot didn't really believe the Reverend Mother (obviously).  Then we find out, the Abbot is keeping an eye on her.  That's when Aksinya gives the full bore to him: "The needs of my servant and friend are much more important to me than my own progress.”  We have addressed this before.  Aksinya has the mind of a perfect Russian aristocrat.  We expect her to be overbearing and perhaps a little rude (she is), but we should also expect her to take care of those who look to her.  Just as Aksinya's father managed the people who were beholden to him, she oversees those whom she is responsible for.  The Abbot's response is very fine, Aksinya's turns the table, for though he called her wise, Aksinya's last response is even wiser: “Not so wise as cautious, but thank you.”  When you are an aristocrat, you ensure the positive behavior of your people by your mature treatment of them.  Aksinya knows this lesson--that is why, in the end, it will backfire on her.  Tomorrow, we hear from the Cardinal.

A New Novel, Part 111 Reverend Mother's Attention

The chapter has been set and we move into the details of clean up of the situation with the school.  The first step is to get Aksinya ready for school...

After breakfast, Natalya and Sister Margarethe dressed Aksinya in her school uniform. Sister Margarethe marveled that except for some strange cross shaped burns on her chest, Aksinya was not even bruised anywhere on her body. They walked across the street to Sacré Coeur together.


When they arrived, the Reverend Mother was waiting for them. She curtsied to Aksinya, “Countess, I’m so glad to see you well.”

Aksinya nodded, “Thank you, Reverend Mother. I am well. Sister Margarethe has been a great help to me.”

“I’m glad to hear that. When you finish your classes today, please come visit me in my office. You may bring the Lady Natalya and Sister Margarethe.”

“Yes, Reverend Mother.”

Frau Drescher stood in the shadow of the doors. She didn’t say a word.

Aksinya and Natalya went to chapel together, and in spite of her grievous sin of the day before, Aksinya didn’t feel any worse than she usually did.

They attended their classes together and at the end of the day, found themselves before the door to the Reverend Mother’s office. Before they could knock, Sister Margarethe came up beside Aksinya and rapped on the door.

From inside the office came, “Please enter.”

Sister Margarethe opened the door and Aksinya followed by Natalya entered the room.

The Reverend Mother stood and curtsied. She pointed to the seats before her desk. Aksinya sat and pulled Natalya into the other chair before Sister Margarethe could sit there. Sister Margarethe stood behind them.

The Reverend Mother sat and propped her chin on the back of her hands. Her look was piercing, “Well, Countess, Lady Natalya, you are both full of surprises. I do wish you had told me about your accommodations before now, but we will have to make do.”

Aksinya cocked her head, “Make do?”

“Yes, dear Countess. There is no way, I, the Abbot, the Cardinal, or the Freifrau Bockmann could allow two unmarried young women to remain in a house alone unchaperoned.”

“We have been there for almost two weeks.”

“That may be so, but it cannot continue as it has.”

Aksinya’s eyes slitted, “What did you have in mind?”

“I can allow you two to stay in that house only if Sister Margarethe oversees you.”

Aksinya straightened, “Sister Margarethe…”

The Reverend Mother wriggled her fingers, “Yes, Countess?”

Aksinya lowered her eyes, “Sister Margarethe will be acceptable.”

“Good, you may continue to dine with us here, as you desire, but I wish to also provide some of the novice sisters to keep the house.”

“More sisters?”

“The Lady Natalya and Sister Margarethe can’t be expected to take care of a house that large by themselves.”

“I didn’t expect to entertain.”

“The novice sisters will just take care of the cleaning and the laundry. Lady Natalya and Sister Margarethe will continue to act as your servants.”

“The Lady Natalya is my lady-in-waiting and not my servant.” Aksinya glanced back at Sister Margarethe, “She will be my servant?”

“She has been all this time. What do you think a teacher really is?”

“I see.” Aksinya stood. Natalya stood as quickly as she could beside her. Aksinya continued, “Thank you, Reverend Mother for being so thoughtful. You have been kind to me and to my lady-in-waiting.”

“We wish you both to be successful here. Why should we not accommodate you in these simple things?” She curtsied.

Aksinya and Natalya walked to the courtyard where Freifrau Bockmann’s carriage was waiting to take them to Freiherr Bockmann’s estate, Grossbock.

This is a transition scene that doesn't appear to be a transition scene.  The input of the scene is the return to school (following the incident of the great enchantment).  The point of the scene is to establish officially Aksinya's household.  The output of the scene is the return to the Bockmann's estate to prepare for the Advent party.
 
One of the recurring ideas in the novel is the crucifix that burns Aksinya's chest.  Whenever she is involved in sorcery, I can indicate her decline through this image.  The competing image is her illness when she gets close to the trappings of the church (of God).  These contrasting images are important because Aksinya puts up with them to attempt her own salvation from the demon.  She is constantly trying to save herself.  She puts up with the pain and suffering from both these causes because she will not give up her luxuria or her sorcery.
 
The Reverend Mother greets Aksinya when she arrives at school in the morning.  You know she had been watching for her.  The importance of this might be missed by the reader.  The Reverend Mother is wise in many ways.  She also knows how important Aksinya is.  We will discover this during the Advent party still to come (hint).  Then, the invitation from the Reverend Mother to visit in the afternoon.  I don't make a big deal of this, but you should be able to discern the tension such a request brings to Aksinya.  That's Frau Drescher in the shadows. 

We get the contrasting image of Aksinya in the chapel--it's not too bad for her.  I transition you to the end of the day when the meeting with the Reverend Mother is to occur.  There is no need for anything extraneous here.  Now we get to the meat.  Sister Margarethe was obviously waiting for Aksinya and Natalya.  She makes certain they all get there together.  Aksinya pulls Natalya into the seat beside her.  She is making a declaration to the Sisters and to Natalya.  She has bound them together in this business.  She might not realize how this is.  Natalya is buoyed by it.  The Reverend Mother can't miss it.  You already know that Sister Margarethe aspires to be like Natalya.  Sister Margarethe is relegated to the servant's position behind them both.  This is a new development. 

The Reverend Mother realizes this.  That is why she addresses the both of them.  Then, where we were expecting a reprimand, the Reverend Mother just acknowledges the fact that Aksinya has a house across the street.  This surprises Aksinya.  She thought she was going to be reprimanded too.  The worry is that Aksinya and Natalya are unchaperoned, and the worry comes from the Reverend Mother, the Abbot, the Cardinal, and Freifrau Bockmann.  This is pretty high attention.  Aksinya's response is a reaction to this attention (attention she didn't expect), and to the potential problems this might be for her.  Notice, she isn't worried about the demon's reaction or actions in this change of events.  Aksinya wants the freedom the house gave her.  Asmodeus wants Aksinya to have the freedom of the house--its purpose was so she could do evil.  Then the solution surprises Aksinya--Sister Margarethe shall oversee.  Aksinya didn't expect this at all.  This Sister will keep Aksinya's secrets.  She knows enough to need supervision from Aksinya.  Sister Margarethe has already been pulled into Aksinya's evil.  The solution is perfect for Aksinya (and perfect for the demon).

Then comes the insistence of novice sisters to keep the house.  This is an unexpected turn.  Aksinya will have to watch over herself.  Aksinya is slightly obtuse--perhaps intentionally.  She is trained to be a great lady, but she is not as knowledgeable about a household as she should be.  On the question of servants, Aksinya throws down the gauntlet about Sister Margarethe.  I gave you many hints and even told you.  Aksinya does not want the Sister to be like Natalya, and there is more than one reason why.  The most telling is that she doesn't want another apprentice, and she doesn't want to be responsible for the Sister's fall.  It is really too late for Aksinya to make corrections there, but the necessary place of the Sister is set.  Likewise, the Reverend Mother wisely reminds Aksinya, the place of Sister Margarethe is as a servant.  Aksinya realizes almost everything that is going on here.  She is honestly grateful for the Reverend Mother's help and consideration.

The end tells you today is Friday and Aksinya and Natalya are off to the Bockmann's.

A New Novel, Part 69 German Class and Sister Margarethe

Important person and important interaction, today we get to meet Sister Margarethe for the first time.  Also, here is Aksinya and Natalya's first class at the school.

The first class was German. The room was filled with ten younger and older students. The teacher was a middle aged nun with a very friendly and elfish face. She greeted Aksinya and Natalya at the door pleasantly in French, “Good morning Countess and Lady Natalya. I am Sister Margarethe Traugott. I teach German, both beginning and advanced. I understand the Lady Natalya doesn’t understand any German and that you, Countess, wish to improve your understanding of the language.”


Aksinya smiled, “The Reverend Mother must have spoken to you.”

The Sister Margarethe gave her a very large smile, “Yes, she told me about you, and we discussed your curriculum. You seem a wonderful young woman to have faced such suffering.” She stared at Aksinya and didn’t give a glance to Natalya. Suddenly, she reached out her hand and touched Aksinya’s face then brushed the tips of her hair, “I’m very glad you are in my class. I hope we can be good friends.” She pointed, “Please take the seats near the window at the front. I will assign you your books.”

Aksinya and Natalya sat where they were directed. Natalya pulled out notebooks and pens for both of them. Natalya began with a primmer, and Sister Margarethe spoke with Aksinya for a long time in German before she handed her a book of advanced German studies. At the end of class, the sister let them out of the classroom with a comment, “Countess, I’ve given you an advanced course of study. If you find your studies difficult, please come to my office. I would be happy to help you.

Aksinya grinned, “Thank you, Sister Margarethe.”

As always, we need to set the scene.  I could give you more on the classroom setting, but I already told you about the school, the rest is your imagination.  Plus, classrooms in 1918 aren't that much different--just more wood and less metal (no plastic).  You know the rooms are small and the classes have about 10 girls.  We see the German class is a mixed class (young and old)--you want to bet the students are not Austrian.  Maybe I should tell you this, but it doesn't drive anything in the novel, so the knowledge would just be gratuitous.

The important point isn't the class, it's the teacher.  Sister Margarethe Traugott is a very important character.  Traugott means "trust in God" and Margarethe means "pearl."  There is a significance to the last name.  Her first name is one of the most popular for girls in Austria and Germany when she was born 1860s.  You don't see much more than her face since she is a nun and wears a habit, so the description I give you is about her face.  By leaving the rest out, height, etc, I leave you with the impression she is average--that's what I want you to conclude.

Right away we see Sister Margarethe is very interested in Aksinya.  Then, we should be surprised.  Out of the blue she remarks on Aksinya's suffering.  I prepared you with Aksinya's comment about talking to the Reverend Mother.  That is obviously the only way Sister Margarethe could know so much about Aksinya.  The Reverend Mother obviously received her information from Aunt Brunhilda.  Then the very surprising part: she reaches out her hand and touches Aksinya's face, then her hair.  It's the hair.  If you didn't get it before, you should now.  The hair is an indicator and indicates that Asmodeus has in some way touched Sister Margarethe.  You get then, the words, "I hope we can be good friends."

Next I also give you description in dialog--there is a window in the room and Aksinya and Natalya are directed to sit at the front by it.  Teachers pet and by the window, could a student wish for more?  You should ask, why.

Natalya takes care of business.  She doesn't get any attention, but Aksinya does, plus an invitation.  We also get that Aksinya likes the attention.  We know she is attention starved.  She is looking for something, she called a demon from the pit for it.  So the first class, we know something is up with Sister Margarethe.

A New Novel, Part 62 The Introductions

So now Natalya has been convinced to sit and eat with the other ladies.  We see the introduction of the two new students to the school.

At that word, Natalya sat upright. She covered her face with her napkin for a moment then sighed and laid it in her lap.

Aksinya smiled. The Reverend Mother smiled, “That’s much more pleasant, Lady Natalya. Thank you.”

Under the eyes of the whole room, the Reverend Mother made her way back to the head table. She stood in front of her chair and raised her arms, “Ladies, may I have your attention. Today, we accepted two new students to Sacré Coeur. They are very special students. May I introduce to you the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna. She is the niece of the Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann. Freifrau Bockmann is an alum of Sacré Coeur. The Countess is sitting at the older scholar’s table. Please make her welcome when you have the opportunity. Accompanying the countess is her lady-in-waiting, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska. The Lady Natalya is not used to our informality. She is very uncomfortable with our egalitarian ways. Please help her to become familiar with our community. She doesn’t speak German, so you must use your French to good effect.”

Aksinya explained the Reverend Mother’s words to Natalya. Natalya colored and again hid her face.

The Reverend Mother said a prayer and everyone crossed themselves. Then she sat in her high backed chair and the novice sisters began to serve the meal.

So the RM introduces Aksinya and Natalya.  This is a simple and basic thing to understand.  In this period, the introduction was necessary and critical to social interaction.  You were not supposed to converse with another without an introduction.  The RM's general introduction provides this service for the school and for the new students.

The RM goes on to explain a little about Aksinya and then about Natalya.  Do you note the RM's equivocation.  It is done just for Natalya.  She tells the school to help Natalya understand their egalitarian ways--the school is not egalitarian or informal, it is just the opposite.  They hold to a protocol that is just as strong as the Russian court.  The point is that the school and the students must uphold their honor and their position before the Countess and her lady-in-waiting.  They are both higher in position than the other ladies.  Therefore, the RM explains that they will rise to the level of Aksinya and Natalya and she asks them to accept their ways--not informal at all.

The reason Natalya colored is that she was acknowledged at all.  Part of the joke is that they have a French name, Sacré Coeur, and they teach French, so they should be speaking French. 
 
The transition to the meal is the prayer--did you expect anything else in a convent school?

A New Novel, Part 61 Why Natalya Must Sit

Are you ready for the answer?  Did you guess it?  I hope you can picture this scene as I tried to build it for you.  Here I tried to mix comedy with pathos.  The gentle and loving Natalya couldn't imagine the freight train that was about to hit her.  Aksinya knew...

Natalya frowned and appeared as if she was about to cry. She complained, “But why isn’t it good order to wait on my mistress?”


The Reverend Mother pressed her lips together and seemed completely reluctant to say what she knew she must say. The other young women around the table strained to hear the Reverend Mother’s words.

Finally, the Reverend Mother opened her mouth, “Please, Lady Natalya. Because of your social position, most of the ladies in this room should serve you. You must sit and eat with us otherwise the good order of our school will be in question.”

Lady Natalya’s mouth fell open. The other young women at the table mouths’ hung open. Tears formed in Lady Natalya’s eyes but she quickly and with embarrassment fell into the seat beside Aksinya. Aksinya put her arms around Natalya and held her close. The girl was obviously crying. The Reverend Mother moved to her and put her arms around the both of them. She clucked soft sounds under her breath, “Please don’t be sad Lady Natalya. You may serve your lady all you desire, but you must eat at table with her.”

Natalya let out a great wail, “But I have never sat at table with her before. I have never sought to put myself above her. Never.”

Aksinya whispered in Russian, “Silly, we sat together like sisters and ate together like friends during our whole trip here. Please act like the great lady you are, Lady Natalya.”

At that word, Natalya sat upright. She covered her face with her napkin for a moment then sighed and laid it in her lap.

Aksinya smiled. The Reverend Mother smiled, “That’s much more pleasant, Lady Natalya. Thank you.”

Here is a minor tragedy for Natalya that allows me to clearly show you the state of aristocracy and the importance of position in 1918.  Natalya is a lady of the court, a lady-in-waiting.  She expects to serve.  The sweet and gentle Natalya is very bright, but still she desires to serve.  That is her purpose.  She has latched on to Aksinya because Aksinya rescued her.  At each step, Aksinya, whether intentionally or unintentionally has been building up Natalya.  We aren't certain if this is Aksinya's unconscious knowledge or her intentional manipulation.  In any case, you can see Aksinya realizes exactly how this little event will end.  She couldn't have planned it better--that is if she planned it at all.  Do you see that Aksinya's knowledge makes everything as though she did plan it.  This parallels the actions in temptation of the demon.  He makes things happen for the purpose of tempting others.  Aksinya is making these events happen, and we are not certain if she is doing them purposefully or not.  We will soon see she is very purposeful. 
 
So, the RM must state the thing she does not want to state.  To say such a thing right out in the open is considered the epitome of bad taste.  Everyone knows their place in this society--everyone, except Natalya, but then, we knew Natalya was broken in some way.  This will come out more later.  The RM says it--the dreaded words--the ladies of the school should be serving Natalya just as she serves Aksinya, therefore, Natalya must sit and eat with them.  The reason is that Natalya is of a higher rank than any of the other girls and women in the room.
 
Natalya gets it.  She is embarrassed for more than one reason, but shame keeps a system of aristocracy going (to a degree).  Aksinya comforts Natalya and the RM comforts them both.  She is a kind woman.
 
Aksinya then gently reminds Natalya that they have eaten like equals before.  Ah, this takes the sting from the embarrassment, and then the beautiful reminder from Aksinya--act like the great lady that you are.  Don't worry, there is more to this dining room scene.  We'll see it tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 60 Natalya Must Sit

Natalya's greatest goal is to serve Aksinya.  You must keep this in mind.  You must also remember that Natalya was compelled to serve before.  With this background, we see what is brewing in the dining room.

The novice sister curtsied to the floor. She couldn’t take her eyes off Aksinya and Natalya. She led them to the round table just below the head table and tried to seat them.

Aksinya sat and Natalya stood behind her chair. The novice sister stared at Natalya, “Lady, you should sit. That’s what the Reverend Mother instructed me.”

Natalya shook her head.

Aksinya spoke to the novice sister in German, “She doesn’t understand German.”

Novice Sister Rita pulled out the chair beside Aksinya, “Please lady, sit here. Countess, you tell her.” She glanced nervously at the head table.

All this time, the other students entered the dining room. They sat in their places and gawked at the odd scene at the older scholar’s table. The young women who sat at that table came in and took their places. They stared at Aksinya and Natalya. Natalya still obstinately stood behind Aksinya’s seat.

Sister Rita ran over to the head table and whispered to the Reverend Mother. The Reverend Mother slowly stood and stepped over to the older scholar’s table. She took everything in a glance and spoke in French, “Please Lady Natalya, sit at the table. It is necessary for the good order of the school.”

Natalya cocked her head toward the Reverend Mother, “For the good order, Reverend Mother?”

Aksinya laughed, “Yes, Lady Natalya. I told you already. You must sit.”

Natalya frowned and appeared as if she was about to cry. She complained, “But why isn’t it good order to wait on my mistress?”

Do you already know the answer to Natalya's question.  I'll tell you tomorrow if you can't guess it.  I've given hints all over the place.  Natalya wishes to serve Aksinya at table.  This is a world of precedence and protocol.  Aksinya is an expert in this area.  She is more expert than almost anyone.  You might ask yourself why she is such an expert.  You knew she was a book worm.  You knew she spent most of her childhood in study. 
 
The tension is funny to Aksinya.  She realized this time would come--don't you see that she both expected it and looked forward to it.  Aksinya isn't cruel, but she is a realist in many ways.  She knows Natalya will not change easily, and she will not accept any change gracefully.  Natalya is not stubborn, but she loves Aksinya.  She loves the idea of subjugating herself to another being that is worth that subjugation.  Remember, the demon told Aksinya that Natalya was looking for something.  She was looking for purpose and for a master.  That master should have rightly been God--remember the conversation outside Natalya's house.  Natalya was forced to serve in the home Aksinya took her from.  She was beaten to force that service.  Natalya would have served without any coercion.  She desires to serve.  This is important.
 
So what is the answer to the question, and what will happen to Natalya?  This is critical to Natalya's existence.

A New Novel, Part 59 Dinner Seating

We see Aksinya and Natalya led to dinner by the Reverend Mother and then the culture of aristocratic precedence.

The Reverend Mother led Aksinya and Natalya to the first table in the room. This was the only one that wasn’t round. The head table was rectangular and at the center was a high backed chair carved with a cross and the emblem of Sacré Coeur. The Reverend Mother stepped behind the table and motioned Aksinya and Natalya to follow her. She pulled out the high backed chair and pointed to the two seats at the end of the table, “I would like you ladies to sit there, please.”

Aksinya curtsied, “I’m sorry, Reverend Mother, we will not take the first place. That would not be appropriate for students. Please seat us at a lower table. Since we are new, it would be most appropriate to seat us at the lowest tables.”

Frau Drescher was aghast, “The Reverend Mother wishes to honor you.”

Aksinya didn’t blink, “But I don’t want to be honored for that reason.”

The Reverend Mother put up her hand. She motioned to one of the novices behind the head table, “Sister Rita, please seat the Countess Golitsyna and the Lady Obolenska at the older scholar’s table.”

Novice Sister Rita’s eyes opened wide. She stared at Aksinya, “Countess?”

“Yes, Countess. I want you to take care of them yourself, Sister Rita.”

The novice sister curtsied to the floor. She couldn’t take her eyes off Aksinya and Natalya. She led them to the round table just below the head table and tried to seat them.

This is a very simple event, but it has great importance.  RM Kluge wants to honor and show off Aksinya and Natalya.  The Natalya link is not so obvious yet, we will see that very soon.  RM Kluge sits in a "Bishop's" chair.  That is a throne-like seat for the head of an order (in this case).  Aksinya knows the head table is only for sisters of the order.  In circles of the aristocracy, nobility of the church are equal to a degree with the "secular" nobility.  RM Kluge understands this, but she would be placing Aksinya and Natalya higher than other sisters in the order.  Aksinya is perfectly sensitive to the aristocracy--I hope I showed this to you well.  She knows how to act properly in every place and event.  RM Kluge isn't ignorant, she just doesn't realize the full ramifications of her actions.  Also, Aksinya sees this correctly that likely Asmodeus is acting to tempt RM Kluge.  To the RM, the school and the convent is everything.  In the demon's terms, she lusts for her school and convent to be the best.  Aksinya intervenes which likely opposes Asmodeus.  This is one of the little ways Aksinya tries to fight the demon. 
 
Aksinya curtsies (an act of subjugation) and proposes they be placed at the lowest tables--that is not possible.  The RM realizes her error quickly.  Aksinya's proposal for the lowest tables is as unacceptable as the RM's suggestion that they sit at the highest table.
 
The RM sends a novice to seat Aksinya and Natalya at the highest student's table, this is the most appropriate solution.  This how the world of the aristocracy works--even in the church.  We will see more of this in the next piece.
 
I wanted to mention that a reader wrote me to note that only a small percentage of my readers would be able to grasp the depth of the writing especially without help.  The question was specifically, why go to all the trouble if your readers won't get it.  Primarily, I have a lot of faith in my readers.  One of my readers likes my novels because they are so different than what they usually can find.  This reader calls them exciting stories that are an intellectual treasure.  That is what I want to give you.  Even if the average reader can't grasp the depth of the writing, I hope the story to them is good and exciting.

A New Novel, Part 57 Hair, Confession, and Sin

So, with the description over and the scene set, we may move to the more direct points of the storyline. We know their current environment. We know how they live, now we see the story take off.



Before supper, Natalya dressed Aksinya and fixed her short hair. Frau Drescher and the Reverend Mother came to retrieve them for supper. In their sitting room, the Reverend mother held Aksinya’s arms and looked her over carefully. She grinned and spoke in French, “You look very nice, Countess.” She glanced over at Natalya, “Lady Natalya did you adjust the clothing?”

Aksinya answered for her, “Of course she did. She does everything for me. She is very skilled, isn’t she?”

“You both look perfect. She also made your hair look wonderful.”

Aksinya turned her face away.

“Don’t be pained. Your aunt told me what she knew about that.” She whispered, “You may desire the comfort of confession at some time, Countess. You may consider me your confessor any time you wish. I will attempt to comfort you as much as I can.”

Aksinya was breathless, “What if that isn’t my sin?”

“Sin isn’t the only reason for confession, Countess. You might wish to share something that hurts your heart and soul.” She smiled, “I would be pleased to listen to anything you desire to share.”

Aksinya mumbled, “Thank you.”

The Reverend Mother is really a nice person. She tries her hardest because she is pleasant and because she doesn't want to offend her new Countess border. Still we get a repeat of the previous comments about the uniforms. We see that Natalya is praised again, and Aksinya answers for her. This will not continue, but we see that this is the proper setting and the proper response. Aksinya speaks for Natalya--it must be.

Then, bang, the hair again. Will no one let the hair alone? It can't be. The hair is a key point. RM will not let it go and the conversation turns to the worst place Aksinya could ever imagine--confession. RM offers Aksinya confession, but note Aksinya's answer, "What if that isn't my sin?" Do you see, Aksinya isn't certain that she has sinned--yet she knows she has sinned. This is the paradox within the brains of all men--all men assume their actions are never sin. They always believe they are right. maturity comes when a man understands that he is a sinner and that his actions are not always right.


The RM realizes this too, thus her response. Can you see Aksinya's mind working. She desires to be confessed and she wonders just what she can confess. We would say--everything, but she can't do that yet. She isn't to that point--yet. We also see the beginning of the mumbles. Aksinya has shown a tendency to speak her mind but quietly where she assumes others can't understand her. She will show a continuing tendency to mumble when she psychologically wants the words to get out, but does not want to be understood.


I just finished chapter 13 and I'm going on to chapter 14--everything is mapped out and ready to write, but I'm going to take a break this evening.