A New Novel, Part 310 I Claim Her

10 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 310 I Claim 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.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married--this is part of the plan Dobrushin believes will rid Aksinya of the demon.  For better or worse, they are bound together in this.  We are not sure of the outcome.  They have come to the room Dobrushin took in the hotel near the center of Wien... 

Dobrushin pulled her to him and kissed her again.

Suddenly, a great roar filled the small room.  A hot sulfurous wind rushed through the place.  There was a dark flash then a scream like the sound of metal cutting metal, and across the room, beside the fireplace stood a large black shape.

Dobrushin clasped Aksinya closer, and she could feel him tremble.

The demon looked them both up and down and laughed, “Be very afraid."  He sniffed, "What do we have here?  I should have guessed as much.  The contract called me because of this.  I knew your lust would eventually be your undoing.”

Aksinya pushed back a little from Dobrushin, “There is no question of lust here.  This is my husband, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin.”

“Your husband?”  The demon cackled.  “He is not your husband yet.  Not until he beds you.  Haven’t you heard what Solomon wrote about me?  That I am always hatching plots against newlyweds; I mar the beauty of virgins and cause their hearts to grow cold.  Plus, you are contracted to me.  You can’t be the crown of any man while I hold your surety.”

Dobrushin’s voice was strangely calm though Aksinya could feel his hands shake as he held her, “Demon, the surety of the Princess Aksinya is being consumed.  You must return hers and release her to me.  I claim her in the name of the Lord God Almighty.”

Asmodeus spat, “That isn’t that guy’s name.  I know that guy’s name.  You must properly invoke it or your claims are void.”

“You lie, Asmodeus.  I know God.  The hearts of men cry out His name because he is just and merciful.”

Asmodeus took a step toward them, “You forget, puny man.  I have been here before—many times.  I killed Sarah’s seven betrothed one after the other so none were left.”

We knew this would happen--didn't we?  The demon had to appear again.  For there to be a resolution in this novel, the demon had to make another appearance.  We also needed a second climax.  The first climax brought the plot and theme of the entire novel to the tipping point for Aksinya's great change.  This second minor climax brings a completion to another idea in the the novel--the demon himself.

It is proper that the demon appear while Aksinya and Dobrushin share a kiss.  If you note, the description for his appearance is almost the same as when Aksinya first called him.  I did this intentionally.

Dobrushin is afraid.  I show you this--he trembles against Aksinya.  Do you remember, Dobrushin was not certain of his belief--what do you think he feels now?  I also used these words in the mouth of the demon before.  Do you remember the words an Angel almost always speaks in the Apocrypha and the New Testament?  An angel's greeting is, "Do not be afraid."  Therefore, I make the demon's greeting, "Be very afraid."

The demon says the contract called him.  He thinks it is Aksinya's lust that has brought him.  There is an implied point here.  Do you remember, the demon claimed to know her mind?  This shows that he does not.  In fact, Satan and his minions can't read minds--they aren't like God.  Therefore, we see the bounds on the demon in his own confession.

Dobrushin is indeed not Aksinya's husband, yet--I told you for the marriage to be fulfilled, it must be consummated.  This is what the demon is talking about and this is the truth of the ancient world--this is what marriage meant in Tobit.  Then the demon gives us a quote from a mythic medieval book that was pseudographically attributed to Solomon.  The demon's allusions are to the crown of marriage and his claims on brides.

Dobrushin shakes, but he boldly speaks to the demon.  He claims Aksinya as his own.  This claim goes back to the metaphor before.  Dobrushin bought her at a great price.  Aksinya is his pearl of great price.  He gave his all for her.  Dobrushin makes his claims in the name of the Lord God Almighty.  The demon's comment is because that is not the true name of God.  God's true name is YHWH and the pronunciation is lost.  Asmodeus likely knows the true pronunciation, but there is no way Dobrushin could know it.  The demon is baiting Dobrushin.  Dobrushin's answer is right on--the name doesn't matter, the invocation does.

The demon threatens Dobrushin.  Tomorrow, more of this confrontation.

A New Novel, Part 245 We May Now Proceed

6 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 245 We May Now Proceed
For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

The day of Aksinya's ecclesiastical trial has arrived.  The first question is that of Aksinya's identity.  She has announced her true name and that makes her a Russian Princess...

“I am a Romanov Princess and a Countess and I insist on being addressed properly.”

The Archinquisitor stood, “Inquisitor Esposito, are the Bockmanns here?”

“Yes, Archinquisitor.  They begged not to testify unless absolutely necessary.”

“It is necessary.  Right now.  Bring Freiherr Bockmann into the courtroom.”

The inquisitor bowed.  He went to the door, and after a few minutes, Freiherr Bockmann reluctantly entered the chapel.

The Archinquisitor sat in his chair, “Swear the Freiherr in.”

The Inquisitor held the Gospel book before Freiherr Bockmann, “You do swear by Almighty God, the searcher of hearts, that you shall speak the truth as you know it to this ecclesiastical court. And this as you shall answer to God at the great day.”

The Freiherr looked uncomfortable.  He mumbled, “I do so swear.”  He kissed the book.

The Archinquisitor took a deep breath, “The question, Freiherr Bockmann is the lineage of this girl.  Whose child is she?”

The Freiherr turned toward the Archinquisitor, “I did not wish to testify in this proceeding at all.”

The Archinquisitor glared at the Freiherr, “This is a simple question, and we must know the answer to if we are to proceed.”  He pointed at Aksinya, “I ask you again, whose child is she?”

The Freiherr wrung his hands, “She is the daughter of my sister, Princess Nina Vladimirovna Golitsyna, nee Bockmann and the Grand Duke George Alexandrovich Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.”

The whispers began again, “She is a princess.”

“Quiet!”  The Archinquisitor’s eyes snapped open wide, “You swear to this?”

“It is the truth.”

Aksinya smiled, “Archinquisitor, I insist that you address me as Princess.  That is my right.”

The Archinquisitor colored and stood, “I ask your pardon, Princess Aksinya.”

The rest of the courtroom stood.

Aksinya didn’t lower her head, “Am I not owed an obeisance?”

The Archinquisitor bowed.  The courtroom bowed.  Aksinya stood and stepped onto the platform.  She moved to the Archinqusitor.  She put out her hand.  The Archinquisitor dropped to his left knee and touched her hand.  Aksinya continued, “It is not proper for you to sit above me, Father.  May I take your seat?”

The Archinquisitor glanced at her then lowered his head.  He choked out, “You may have my seat, Princess.”

Aksinya sat in the Bishop’s chair.  She smoothed her soiled dress, “We may now proceed.  Please continue, Archinquisitor.  I am ready to hear your accusations against me.”

Alright!  Aksinya finally gets a victory.  Through all the novel, weren't you ready for her to win something.  Not only did we learn her true background, we discovered a lot that we didn't really know.  Do you remember the points about Aksinya's mother and her father.  Everything that happened before now makes sense.  Every statement Aksinya made now can be traced to her previous life.  You can read out her life story--I don't do it for you.  I gave you all the hints and all the history--everything comes together in this singular moment.  If you wondered why Aksinya is the way she is--there it is in living color. 

Now, you do realise this is a pyritic victory.  Asmodeus had a purpose in degrading and making a fool out of the Archinquisitor.  Not only that, the Archinquisitor will certainly desire Aksinya's blood much more now.  The battle has come from a cruel man attacking a semi-child to a cruel man attacking a princess.  The court realizes this, but the cruel man can't hold back now.  The Archinquisitor must find Aksinya guilty--if he doesn't, he will likely stand trial for bringing such accusations against a princess.  Do you see the subtle undertow that lurks just below this scene.

Aksinya does rub it in.  She has won a victory, and she can't help herself--this is her personality.

The words and the protocol of the trial are accurate.  Aksinya's claims and actions are accurate.  She takes the Bishop's chair and insists that the Archbishop show her the respect she is due.  Note the irony at the end of this piece: Aksinya sat in the Bishop’s chair.  She smoothed her soiled dress.  I don't want you to forget what she looks like or what is really happening around her.  This is a deadly business that will harm many.  The first round goes to Aksinya, but the outcome of the race is fixed.  Notice, that she is in charge--for now.  Tomorrow, the trial continues.

A New Novel, Part 227 I am Christ’s, Not Yours

19 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 227 I am Christ’s, Not Yours

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 locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Asmodeus comes to visit Aksinya in the depths of the night...

Aksinya was breathless, “You let them murder my family?  You were sworn to obey me.”

“Never sworn to obey you.  I swore to do evil in your name.  You are such a fool, little girl.  You tried to negotiate with a demon.  My purpose is temptation and evil.  I have no other purpose in heaven or earth.”

“So… I see.”

“Too late.  Always they understand too late.”  Asmodeus stretched to his full height, “Ah, evil is so liberating, but you have chosen a different path, haven’t you.”

“I have chosen.”

“With all the pain and suffering you will know.  I could offer you life, liberty, freedom, sorcery.”

“It wouldn’t help my friends.”

“I could continue to lie to you and tell you it would.  Would that change your mind?”

“I have chosen.”

“I must be completely clear because I don’t wish to lose all the potential of evil within you.  If you determine to follow me, I will save you from all this pain and suffering.”

“But you won’t help my friends.”

“I will not help your friends or your enemies.  I offer you evil and only evil.”

“You offer me relief now and eternal suffering later.  Christ offers me suffering because of my own actions now and eternal life later.  In either case, I can’t help my friends…or my enemies, and I don’t wish to bring any more evil into the world.”

At the word, Christ, the demon cringed.  He frowned, “Very well.  You will not know peace until your dying day, and I shall reap your soul in any case.”

Aksinya’s teeth chattered, “You will not have my soul.  I am marked by Christ as His own.”

Asmodeus snarled, “Shut up, Countess.”

“I am His.  I am Christ’s.”

“Shut up.”

Aksinya hugged her naked body more closely.  The rosary pressed solidly against her chest.  She pulled it out and raised it up, “In spite of all the pain and suffering I might face because of this decision, I choose Christ.  You can’t do anything about that.  My mind is free of you.  I am Christ’s, not yours.  I can swear, and I can hold onto the promise that is mine.  I only wish I knew this before I knew you.  Begone.” 

At that moment Asmodeus was gone.  All that was left was an acrid stink.  Aksinya wondered if her confession had sent him away or something else.

Asmodeus, the demon, is tormenting Aksinya.  He told her he killed her family.  He restates his purpose--evil and temptation is his only purpose.  Then we get to the choice.  Aksinya has chosen something other than evil.  The demon tries to tempt Aksinya again.  The demon wants to be certain of Aksinya's choice--and I want you to hear it too.  The choice, to Aksinya, is Christ.  The demon promises that she will not know peace until your dying day.  He claims that he will reap her soul anyway.  Then we get the whole confession from Aksinya: “You will not have my soul.  I am marked by Christ as His own.”

This irritates the demon because he knows it is true--except the question of who owns her soul.  This question is still up in the air.  Aksinya confesses again (I don't want you to miss it): “In spite of all the pain and suffering I might face because of this decision, I choose Christ.  You can’t do anything about that.  My mind is free of you.  I am Christ’s, not yours."

At Aksinya's claim, the demon retreats.  Like I said, the question of the ownership of her soul is still in the air.  Further, the demon could still tempt her back to evil.  They still have a contract--it has not been negated.  Tomorrow, the morning.