A New Novel, Part 273 Nothing is Certain

4 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 273 Nothing is Certain

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

Aksinya is on trial in Wien, Austria.  The presiding judge found Aksinya not guilty of the fraud charges against her.  He did so because her debt had already been paid.  The judge then released the court for lunch.  Father Dobrushin and Aksinya head for the luncheon room in the Rathaus...

Sergeant Nagel led Aksinya and Father Dobrushin into the private luncheon room within the Rathaus.  They sat at a private table near the back of the chamber.  Aksinya appeared completely out of place there.  Her hair had not been properly brushed in weeks.  Her dress was wrinkled and stained beyond the bloody crosses that marked it.  It had been the dress of a drudge to begin with.  She had not had a bath either—not in a long while.  She glanced at Father Dobrushin in his clean and well pressed suit and stood, “I don’t belong here.”

Father Dobrushin didn’t look at her, “Sit down, now.  Judge Richter sent you here so you would not have to face the reporters yet.”

She sat, “Yet?”

“When you win and are redeemed, you will have to answer some of their questions.  When that happens, I suggest you keep quiet and allow me to speak for you.”

“I will win?  What does that mean?”

“It means that you will be found not guilty and you will be released.”

“This is certain?”

“Nothing is certain.  All I know is that I will do everything I can to save you.”

“Perhaps you are the foolish one.  What do you gain from all this?  I can’t pay your bill.  In fact, who did pay my bills on the remaining claims?”

“I did.”

“You did?  Why would you do that for me?”

“Right now, I want you to eat something nice and have tea the way you like it.”

“I like tea best the way Natalya makes it for me.”

Father Dobrushin smiled, “You act as though nothing happened to estrange you from anyone else in the world.”

“Because I can’t control what anyone else does.  I can only control what I do or think.  I learned that long before I met the demon.  He just reminded me of it.”

Father Dobrushin couldn’t say anything after that.  He ordered then both lunch and tea.

The most revealing conversations are many times those that have little to do with the here and now within a novel.  This little scene in the luncheon room is this type of scene.  You must take into account that this is pure chapter setting and scene setting.  The purpose of this scene is to propel the chapter and to move the theme of the novel.  So let's look at the elements of the scene and the chapter setting.

First, the scene is set by comparison.  I don't need to go into great detail on the scene setting--that is narrative description, because I use a direct comparison between the place and Aksinya herself.  She is the focus of the chapter and the novel.  She gets the billing and she is the comparison here.  I describe her clothing and appearance and that is the comparison.  You can see the room and setting through this.  That is the purpose and it is a dual purpose: first, you see Aksinya and second, you see the scene.  I do give you a third for free--Father Dobrushin's appearance.

Father Dobrushin is all business.  He simply instructs Aksinya to sit and explains why the judge sent her to the luncheon room.  We know there is much more to this, but it does not need to be said.  By the way, you know Aksinya is not grand standing.  She is serious, but Father Dobrushin is too.  Aksinya is just too unsophisticated to understand what is going on.  I also use this to remind you of the reporters and to move to the point I want to make in this scene.  This is the question of Aksinya's redemption.

In this scene, I use very specific vocabulary to make a point about the entire chapter.  The point is that Father Dobrushin is going to save Aksinya.  The bills were paid by Father Dobrushin.  We guessed this--I wanted to make sure it was certain in your mind.  Aksinya has nothing to offer, but still Father Dobrushin has given his wealth, expertise, and...we shall see for Aksinya.

Father Dobrushin deflects Aksinya's question about why he would do these things for her.  His statement: “Right now, I want you to eat something nice and have tea the way you like it.”  Allows me to bring up Natalya.  Natalya is an important question and part of this chapter--remember chapter setting.

Father Dobrushin's question is one of forgiveness and acceptance.  Aksinya has accepted everything in stride.  It is not that she doesn't care about it, the point is that she has accepted her lot and is ready to accept any punishment.  She believes she deserves great punishment and wants to be punished.

Aksinya's response is an important one.  It is absolutely true and a great truth: “Because I can’t control what anyone else does.  I can only control what I do or think.  I learned that long before I met the demon.  He just reminded me of it.”   With this statement, we know Aksinya was wise, but she has reached a point where her wisdom could be a force for goodness instead of evil.  That is the ultimate point--she has been and is about to be redeemed.  Tomorrow, the trial continues.

A New Novel, Part 262 You Must Answer Aloud

23 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 262 You Must Answer Aloud

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

Aksinya is on trial in Wien, Austria.  The presiding judge is questioning Aksinya.  We are up to the question about her previous criminal record...

“Now, Princess, I must ask you, do you have any previous criminal record.”

Aksinya held her hands together, “Until the Cardinal had me tried on charges of sorcery, even though I was a very great sinner, I had never been accused of any wrong doing.  I was found guilty of sorcery and notorious sinning by the ecclesiastical court.  I don’t remember all the charges or the punishments…”

Father Dobrushin interrupted her, “I’m sorry, Your Honor, the witness caught me by surprise.  The Princess Aksinya has no criminal record and has never been accused of a crime in any court of criminal or civil law.”

Aksinya glanced back at him, “Is this true?”

“The judge does not mean an ecclesiastical court.  You have no criminal record no matter how notorious you believe your sins to be.”  He turned to the judge, “Your Honor, please strike the Princess’ response to your question, under her criteria, Martin Luther, the Pope, and all the Saints in Christendom might be considered criminals.”

Laughter again was heard from the benches and the desk.

“I agree with your comment, counselor.  Judges, strike the Princess’ statement from your notes and recollection.  Princess, you have chosen rather than a trial by your peers to a trial by Schöffengericht.  This does not mean you may not appeal your prosecution or that you may not ask later for a trial by your peers.  The decisions of this trial will, however, be considered during any further judicial proceedings or appeal.  Do you understand this?”

Aksinya nodded.

“Princess, you must answer aloud.”

“Yes, your honor.  I understand.”

Judge Richter continued, “Now Bailiff, read the charges against the Princess.”

Once we finish with these questions, we may begin with the charges against Aksinya.  I know you are waiting to hear them.  The judge asks Aksinya if she has a criminal record.  Listen to her response.  You knew this is how she would answer.  Aksinya believes, quite correctly, she is guilty of much evil, but evil doesn't exactly equal secular guilt.  The ecclesiastical trial did not hinge on secular crimes, it was all about ecclesiastical crimes.  Father Dobrushin immediately rectifies the situation.  Aksinya can't believe it.

Father Dobrushin makes a joke that is very important in this case.  He compares Aksinya to Saints, the Pope, and Luther.  His point is that she is forgiven just as they are, and her ecclesiastical sins are not part of this secular trial. Already, Dobrushin is putting a turn on the court.  He is in control here and will make certain Aksinya gets a just trial.

The presiding judge agrees, and then he gives us more information about the type of trial Aksinya has chosen.  All this is true in Austrian Law, at the time.  The next is the admonition that Aksinya must answer aloud.  This will come into play as a continual small joke during the trial.  Tomorrow, the charges against Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 253 There May be a Way to be Rid of the Demon

14 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 253 There May be a Way to be Rid of the Demon 

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...

“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.

Aksinya moaned, “I caused them all such pain.  I wish I were dead.  If I were dead, the world would have been such a better place for everyone.”

Ekaterina shook her gently, “You are not dead, and the Dear Lord doesn’t wish you dead.  Now, your life’s work must be to right this wrong.  Do you wish to add more sin and evil to what already exists.”

Aksinya sat up and drew her sleeve across her eyes, “I’m afraid what I’ve done can never be made right.”

Father Dobrushin sighed, “Perhaps it cannot, but likewise, you can’t bear all the blame for what has happened.”

“I willingly bear it.”

“You may not bear any more than that which is your own sin.  Others made choices.  They can only be held responsible for those choices—not you.”

“I face a trial in the courts of Wien, now.”

Ekaterina smiled, “And we will do everything we can to help you.”

“Their mind is already made up too.  When I had my preliminary hearing, they told me, I will go to the workhouse to pay off my debt.  I will go to prison for beating Natalya.  My aunt and uncle won’t help me.  They hate me.  They lost their position in the community and among the nobility.  Herr von Taaffe has lost the backing of his father.  I sent him away before.  He cannot help me.  I have no money.  All of my goods, jewelry, and clothing have been sold.  They still weren’t enough to pay my debts.  I, even now, have a contract with a demon, and I pray to God I could be rid of him.”

Father Dobrushin pressed his hands together, “There may be a way to be rid of the demon.”

“You shouldn’t speak about such things too loudly even in jest.  I know he watches me.  He waits for more ways to destroy anyone close to me—to torment me.”

“Princess…”

Aksinya turned her face away, “You shouldn’t use that address with me.  Aksinya is enough.”

“Princess Aksinya…”

Aksinya clenched her jaw.

Aksinya wishes she were dead.  How often do we when we have caused grievous harm wish we could have ended that harm.  The problem is that nothing we do can ever repair the harms we inflict.  There is never enough payment and never enough penance or repentance for many harms.  Aksinya has caused these type of harms.  They are grievous and may affect the recipients for their entire lives.

Aksinya has reached the bottom of another point in her journey--she has realized the depths of the harm she caused.  Many never reach this point.  Most imagine the harm they caused can be easily wiped away, but harm we cause others are like tears of ink--they stain the soul and they can't be undone.  Even death can't repair this kind of harm.  That is the point Ekaterina makes--she tells Aksinya that her life's work must be to undo the harm.  Father Dobrushin rightly tells Aksinya that she can only be guilty of her own sin and not the sin of others.  Aksinya changes the subject, or rather, she points the subject in a different direction--about her secular trial.  Yes, this is what we want to know about.

The reason Aksinya is in despair is that she has heard the charges against her during the preliminary hearing.  Her crimes are her debt and her attack against Natalya.  Then, Aksinya tells us what has happened to her friends and relatives.  We realize that these must have been issues during the hearing.  You can see how far Aksinya has fallen.  Where before, she had everything, now she literally has nothing.  The end is that Aksinya has one thing in the world left--her contract with the demon.

Father Dobrushin suddenly tells Aksinya something that may give her hope: “There may be a way to be rid of the demon.”  Do you remember that he has been studying about the demon.  This is what we have been waiting for since the beginning of the novel.  Aksinya worries more about what might happen to Father Dobrushin and to Ekaterina than she does for herself.  Aksinya has made a great transition in thought.  It isn't all about Aksinya anymore.  She even puts aside her title.  She is not to be called Princess because, in her mind, she has lost that as well.  Tomorrow, more about the possibility of getting rid of the contract with the demon.

A New Novel, Part 239 No One Can Control a Demon

31 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 239 No One Can Control a Demon
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 a captive in the residence of the Cardinal of Wien awaiting an ecclesiastical trial for sorcery.  The Inquisitor Esposito came to speak to her about her defense...

The inquisitor chuckled at the last.  Then his face turned serious again, “There is much to recommend these charges.”

“There are witnesses?”

“Yes, there are, but I am not privy to the case against you.  I act as the advocatus reorum in your trial.  I am to represent you and defend you from the charges of the inquisition.  Both the promotor fiscalis and the judge is the Archinquisitor Gallo.  He does not have to share this information with me, only the charges.”

Aksinya shrugged, “That doesn’t seem to make it a very fair trail.”

“Perhaps it is not.”

Frau Becker sneered, “It is not at all fair.  What might be the punishment for such charges?”

“Excommunication and death could be the punishment, but death cannot be levied by an ecclesiastical court—it can only be recommended to a secular trial.”

Frau Becker wrung her hands, “You would kill her for this?”

“If she is guilty.”

Aksinya cocked her head, “You have not touched the most egregious sin I committed through sorcery.”

Inquisitor Esposito sat back, “And what would that be.”

“I called a demon from the depths of hell to be my servant.”

Frau Becker involuntarily scooted her chair back a little.  Frau Mauer brought her hands up to her face.

The Inquisitor wrote on his pad, “Who was this demon?”

“It is the demon Asmodeus.”

“You have seen him?”

“He was the one who took my clothing from me in the cell.  He was the reason I had to mark my clothing and the blankets with the crosses.  He still torments me.”

“But he is your servant?”

“No one can control a demon.  I brought him out of hell to protect my family.  He ensured that they all died.  He tempted me to take the Lady Natalya and to seduce Herr von Taaffe.”

“You called this demon into the house of the Cardinal?”

“I did not call him here.  I can’t be rid of him.  He comes and goes as he wills, but I am guilty for bringing him back to the world where he can tempt and harm others.”

The Inquisitor Esposito tells Aksinya there are witnesses to her crimes.  Through this, I get to explain something about an ecclesiastical trial to you.  The Inquisitor Esposito is the advocatus reorum, basically the defense attorney.  The prosecuting attorney is the promotor fiscalis.  The Archinquisitor Gallo is acting as both the judge and the prosecutor.  The rules of an ecclesiastical trial are exactly as I have laid them out to you.  As Aksinya notes: “That doesn’t seem to make it a very fair trail.”  Frau Becker agrees with her. 

Frau Becker wants to know the punishment that Aksinya might face.  Excommunication and death we are told, but an ecclesiastical trial may not levy death.  This is great for Aksinya except, after this trial, she will be arrested by the Austrian policemen for a secular trial.

Then the honest Aksinya (she has become disconcertingly honest--did you notice?) confesses to her greatest crime--she contracted a demon.  Listen to Aksinya's new found wisdom: “No one can control a demon.  I brought him out of hell to protect my family.  He ensured that they all died.  He tempted me to take the Lady Natalya and to seduce Herr von Taaffe.”  Aksinya confesses to all the charges--do you note.  To the inquisitor, this is unimportant, because the trial is indeed rigged against her.

So, Aksinya is in a pickle.  She confessed to the charges.  Things don't look bright for her.  Tomorrow, more charges.

A New Novel, Part 238 I Am Clearly at Fault

30 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 238 I Am Clearly at Fault

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 a captive in the residence of the Cardinal of Wien awaiting an ecclesiastical trial for sorcery.  The Inquisitor Esposito came to speak to her about her defense...

The inquisitor ignored her, “There are other charges.”

“These are?”

“The first is that you impersonated a member of the nobility.  Do you have any proof that you are noble?”

“My passport.”

“Do you know where it is?”

“No.”

Inquisitor Esposito cleared his throat, “Can anyone vouch for you?”

“My aunt and uncle, the Freifrau and Freiherr Bockmann.  The Freiherr is my mother’s brother.  I am related to the Herzog Bockmann of Germany.”

The priest’s expression turned bleak, “They have both declined to testify either for or against you at trial.  They are in the process of legally disowning you because of this incident.”

Aksinya lowered her head.  Her voice was soft, “I understand.”  She spoke more loudly, “What of the other charges?”

“There is a charge that you kidnapped and kept an apprentice to your sorcery, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.”

“That is true.  I did.  I am confessed.  I harmed her soul and mind.”

Frau Becker and Frau Mauer gasped.

Father Esposito cleared his throat again, “Yes.”  He turned away his head, “There is another charge that you seduced the mind and soul of a Herr Ernst von Taaffe, a member of the Austrian nobility.”

“I did that also.  I am clearly at fault.”

The Frauen couldn’t hold back their gasp again.

In inquisitor continued, “The other charges relate to your use of sorcery.  They are that you used sorcery to murder your family, steal the goods from the estate of Count Golitsyna, to cheat merchants in Wien, and to escape Russian justice.”

Aksinya’s eyes widened, “I did not murder my family, the Bolsheviks did that.  I did not steal the things that belonged to me already, although I did use sorcery to bring them here to Austria.  You can lay the charge of cheating on me.  I did not know that was the case at the time.  I am still culpable.  Of Russian justice, I cannot speak.  I’m not certain who rules Russia, the Bolsheviks, the nobility, or the Parliament.”

       The inquisitor chuckled at the last.  Then his face turned serious again, “There is much to recommend these charges.”

Now we get the full list of charges against Aksinya.  They are many and devastating.  She will have problems with just one of them, but there are many more than one.  It would seem that someone who is privy to very private information about Aksinya proffered the charges.  Can you guess who?

Do you see that Aksinya is unable to prove who she is?  It is as if her identity and person were taken from her.  Do you remember that she was so proud of her house and her nobility?  Now she has neither.  The demon has conspired to take away her very being in the world. 

Things have gone so far that Aksinya's aunt and uncle are in the process of disowning her.  They want nothing more to do with her.  This is how far everything has come.  Aksinya is an embarrassment to them, and the best way to get rid of an embarrassment is to make it go away.  We do get more information about Aksinya.  We find that she is related to a Duke in Germany.  A Herzog is a German Duke.

The charges against Aksinya get worse and worse.  She kidnapped and apprenticed Natalya.  This could be a capital charge.  Aksinya simply confesses to it.  The degree of the charge is the reason for he response of the Frauen.  The next charge is as bad.  Aksinya seduced the mind and soul of Ernst.  Aksinya acquiesces to this charge as well.

Then there are the charges of sorcery.  Aksinya already confessed to sorcery, the charges just make everything worse.  This is when we see the true fruit of Asmodeus' actions.  Aksinya is accused of murder, theft, and flight from justice.  These are capital charges.

Aren't you glad that Aksinya stands up for herself.  She will not accept these false charges.  She confesses to the use of sorcery, but not to murder, theft, and flight from justice.  We also see the destruction that Asmodeus has wrought.  He has brought on Aksinya a charge of theft in Wien.  We know the charges are false from Russia, but there are charges from Wien.

The world in crashing down on Aksinya.  She has little defense.  The inquisitors will have a strong case against her--or will they?  Tomorrow, more on the charges and defense.