Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 232 Extrapolating Military Technology, more example Extrapolated Morale

23 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 232 Extrapolating Military Technology, more example Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs
10.  Morale (discipline) 

The ultimate question of extrapolated morale is what is a person willing to die for.  Generally, national exceptionalism comes directly from the concepts of divine providence, work superiority, moral superiority, fairness, equality of purpose, equality of position, equality under the law, equality of opportunity.  The Klingons don't have what it takes either.

The Klingons were obviously extrapolated as an analogy to the USSR during the original Cold War Star Trek series.  The problem for morale with the Klingons is they have the same problems as the Soviets.  The Klingons are supposed to be a warlike, honor-based culture.  The only problem with that is that almost every honor based society is strongly religious and in fact strongly Christian.  You do find some honor-based cultures that are not Christian but they all tend to be strongly religious.  For some reason, in the mind of the Star Trek writers, religion and science fiction don't fit.  Let's realize that societies in space will have all the characteristics of societies on the earth--an then some.  It is utterly illogical to not include religion into science fiction.  I don't mean religious science fiction, I mean science fiction that includes religious characters, concepts, and ideas. 

One example of a science fiction novel that did just that is Dune.  Dune may be one of the best science fiction novels written.  If you notice, it has extrapolated religion very well and placed it properly in a place of prominence in that universe.  Dune  is an example of a very well done extrapolation of science, culture, politics, and technology.  

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 229 Extrapolating Military Technology, Extrapolated Morale

20 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 229 Extrapolating Military Technology, Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs
10.  Morale (discipline) 

Extrapolated morale is likely a place few science fiction writers will be willing to go.  Much, if not most of the science fiction today does almost nothing with the culture or society and instead has an unextrapolated world like today or has a culture and society extrapolated to current cultural mores.  Lets extrapolate from the example of Soviet culture.  The culture the Soviets inherited was God based, ethical, and classically moral.  They tried to reshape that culture into the communist ideal.  The first step was forced government education.  The forced government education taught there was no God and told the children their parents were fools for their belief.  They undercut the classical morality by using sexuality as a tool of the state.  In classical communism, there is no private property or ownership and the government schools taught that men and women exclusively promising themselves in matrimony was not just wrong, it was uncommunist and unSoviet.  They destroyed the ethics of fealty and responsibility by creating an environment of class warfare.  The winners in the Soviet fairytale was always the owners of industry and the losers were the workers.  This models put the state in place as the owner of industry and the people as the workers.  A quicker way to poverty and insurrection there has never been.

In the government schools of the US as well as a host of other countries, they are promoting anti-God ideas.  Soldiers will not fight for an anti-God, they will fight for a God.  You can't expect a person to be willing to give their lives for an ideal you criticize at every government level.  Nations that use their propaganda and schools to undercut the cultures ideas of God, will not have anyone to defend it for very long. 

As concerns family--you can't have a Duck Dynasty culture of morality and expect those people to fight for a non-Duck Dynasty society. 

As concerns ethics--a culture defined by class warfare can't be a culture of wealth and mobility.  Entitlement does not lead to prosperity.  Only hard work leads to prosperity.  Who will fight for the privilege to collect a welfare check?

How do these ideas affect morale?

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 224 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Morale

15 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 224 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs
10.  Morale (discipline) 

Morale first requires a positive attitude and dedication to the work at hand.  Whether the work is maintaining the equipment, feeding the troops, leading the troops, or fighting the battle, first the force must be dedicated to some goal.  The force of a goal can be national exceptionalism, dedication to an idea, dedication to a person, dedication to a nation.  Examples of this in history are the United States, that is dedication through national exceptionalism.  National exceptionalism also drove the Greeks and Romans in creating their empires.  The difference was that the Greeks and Romans developed empires based on their national exceptionalism--the United States brought instead their national exceptionalism to others. 

An example of dedication to an idea was the USSR, Revolutionary France, or National Socialism (NAZI).  Each of these nations powered their forces by the ideals of revolution, communism, or socialism.  There isn't than much difference between socialism and communism.

Dedication to a person is to a king, queen, or dictator.  The feudalistic powers of the middle ages were driven by this notion of dedication to a leader.  The dedication to a nation is pure nationalism or patriotism.  If you note the order of each dedication or goals.  This order is intentional.  The point is that national exceptionalism is more powerful than an idea, which is more powerful than dedication to a person, which is more powerful than dedication to a nation.

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 222 Extrapolating Military Technology, special Prepared Food Tactical Costs

13 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 222 Extrapolating Military Technology, special Prepared Food Tactical Costs

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs
10.  Morale (discipline) 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  Who are your most important soldiers?  Most likely they are those who are the most trained (paid the most to train), most experienced (especially in terms of cost to train or season), and operate the most expensive equipment.  These are usually your aviators, tank, or ship drivers.  The way some nations feed these professionals and the way other nations take care of them are radically different.  I'd like to talk about both ways because you might want to portray them in your writing.

The Europeans see these individuals as very valuable from a cost, sustenance, and retention position.  In other words, first, the costs are high to produce them, so I can't afford to lose them.  Second, they fly or operate very expensive equipment and I can't afford to have them of their game.  Third, they are expensive to produce and important to keep, so I want to keep them happy as possible.  Therefore, in most European nations and Canada, their are kitchens and hot meals on airplanes.  There are kitchens in the units.  In the German Air Force, the pilots are provided a hot meal at breakfast and lunch.  Hot meals are provided during overnight missions.  Hot meals or messing facilities are available to these professionals wherever they happen to be.

In the USA, on the other hand, there is an expectation that the professionals listed will take care of themselves.  Food is generally not available or provided.  There is usually nothing hot.  There is little food support--the economy will provide.  There are no extra meals for flights over night.  MREs are provided for sale for long missions.  You can see that some nations protect their investments and assets much more than others.  How you portray this is based on how you see a military professional. 

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 201 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Replacement Tactical Costs

20 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 201 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Replacement Tactical Costs

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  Most novels focus on the battlefield and offensive or defensive operations.  That is usually less than 50% of a fighting force.  Although all the troops are trained to fight, there is always a large logistics component whose job is to deliver food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  Many times they are the human replacements--most of the time, in the modern military, their jobs and training make them more important than the fighters. 

That's the way with many military jobs.  The recovery forces are always better trained than the fighters in an armored unit.  Recovery forces have specialty tanks that allow them to tow and move other tanks.  Usually, a recovery company or platoon has special tanks that can tow other tanks as well as tanks that can protect themselves and their replacement resources. 

A recovery group usually has spare parts and tools that allow them to work on tanks and other armored vehicles.  There commander is almost always trained in the tanks and vehicle repair and overhaul.  Recovery forces are a critical part of battlefield operations.  The reason for this is that most tank "kills" are mobility kills and the tank can be brought back into the field with minimal effort.  These groups might be a good topic for a novel.

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

A New Novel, Part 170 She was too Drunk to Fight

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.



Natalya is missing.  Sister Margarethe believes Aksinya sent her on an errand.  Natalya has been absent all night.  In her bedroom, Aksinya smelled the scent of incense and sulfur.  The incense is from a great sorcery, and the sulfur from Asmodeus...


After breakfast, Sister Margarethe dressed Aksinya and brushed her hair. She didn’t notice the strange expression on Aksinya’s face. She didn’t see how pale she was or how wide and frightened her eyes were. Or, if she did, perhaps she attributed it to the alcohol and lack of sleep.

Aksinya was ill during chapel and vomited before Sister Margarethe could rush her into the hallway outside. Sister Margarethe tried to comfort her and brought her tea before class, but the tea was not made to Aksinya’s taste, and Aksinya was in no mood to be comforted. By the time, she arrived at her first class, her hair was loose around her face and her clothing had spots from her accident and from the tea she spilled. She put her head down on her desk and tried to sleep. She couldn’t do anything else, Sister Margarethe had forgotten Aksinya’s bag. It was the bag Nata always carried for her. The bag had all her school books and papers inside.

Finally, in the late morning, Natalya opened the classroom door. Someone touched Aksinya’s arm, and she raised her head. Aksinya’s eyes widened. She stood at her desk and nearly fell. She started toward Natalya and did fall. She tripped on the desk and dropped to one knee. Natalya was instantly beside her. She took Aksinya’s arms and lifted her up. Aksinya put her arms around Natalya and held her close. Her eyes widened again—there was that smell plus another. There was the scent of sorcery and a strange musty smell Aksinya couldn’t place. Aksinya pulled back slightly from Natalya and stared at her. Natalya lowered her eyes. She led Aksinya back to their desks. Natalya straightened Aksinya’s hair and brushed off her clothing.

Natalya didn’t say anything to her, and Aksinya was afraid to ask anything.

That evening at dinner in the dinning room at Sacré Coeur, the moment after Reverend Mother Kluge finished praying Anna Pfaff asked, “Well, did Herr von Taaffe take you out last night?”

Aksinya didn’t answer.

Natalya replied in very precise German, “He took her to Tristan und Isolde by Wagner. It was a tragedy.”

Frieda Trauen scrunched her lips to the side, “I wanted to see that, but papa wouldn’t take me.”

Fraulein Pfaff took a sip of soup, “Whyever not, Frieda?”

“He said it was too German.”

Natalya laughed.

Diedre Vogt tried to catch Aksinya’s eyes, “Countess, have you considered what you might answer Herr von Taaffe?”

Aksinya turned her head away.

Fraulein Trauen grinned, “Did you have a fight with him?”

Natalya voice sounded too happy, “She was drunk last night.”

Fraulein’s Trauen’s smile widened, “Too drunk to fight. What kind of wife will Herr von Taaffe get for himself.”

Natalya took a bite of her fish course, “Herr von Taaffe knows exactly the kind of wife he will be getting.”

Aksinya didn’t act as if she heard. She didn’t eat. The moment dinner was over, she stood and made her way back out of the dining room. Natalya followed closely behind her.

Aksinya has literally given up all hope at this moment.  She has lost her best and really only friend in the world.  Natalya is missing, and Aksinya knows it was somehow by the hand of Asmodeus.  She knows something terrible is happening or about to happen, she can't imagine what it might be.
 
I want you to see Aksinya at this moment.  I want you to imagine exactly what she appears like.  The first description I give you is obliquely through Sister Margarethe's eyes.  I use an advanced technique that doesn't change POV, but implies the POV of another.  This is the description:  She [Sister Margarethe] didn’t notice the strange expression on Aksinya’s face. She didn’t see how pale she was or how wide and frightened her eyes were.  You can imagine Aksinya's face.  She isn't pretty to begin with, add sickly and pitiful to that description--and she doesn't care anymore.
 
To add to the description of the sad-eyed Aksinya, she is ill at chapel.  This is the first time I have actually said she vomited.  I use this word intentionally for the shock value, so you feel like Aksinya, and to separate this incident from all the times Aksinya depended on Natalya to take care of her.  Sister Margarethe is trying to help, but it isn't the same.  Aksinya's attitude is hopeless and perhaps not as childish as we might think.  Remember the admonition over the Gates of Dante's hell: abandon all hope ye who enter here.  Aksinya has seen hell, and she believes her friend is facing some hell because of her.
 
The final descriptions are about Aksinya's hair and her clothing.  Natalya always made certain Aksinya looked and dressed properly.  Aksinya is like a kindergartner; she is unable to take care of her own dressing and clothing.  In class, Aksinya has nothing to do--Sister Margarethe forgot Aksinya's bag.
 
Then, the return of Natalya.  I intentionally downplay the beginning to add to the poignancy at the end.  Notice, someone touches Aksinya's arm to alert her--others in the classroom also realize how important Natalya is to Aksinya.  Note, Aksinya tries to come to Natalya.  Always before, Natalya came to Aksinya.  Aksinya trips otherwise, she would have run to Natalya.  Something has radically changed in this dynamic.  Natalya lifts up Aksinya--this is an expected outcome.
 
At their meeting I give you some very important details that have to do with scent: the scent of sorcery and the scent of... I describe it as musky.  You might guess what this smell is.  Aksinya hasn't any idea what it could be.  Aksinya shows surprise, but Natalya won't look her in the eye.  Then, Natalya leads Aksinya back to their desks.  Natalya makes Aksinya look presentable again.  Natalya doesn't say anything and Aksinya is afraid to ask.  In our minds and Aksinya's mind, we wonder, what terrible thing could have happened to Natalya--she doesn't appear the worse for wear.
 
The transition is to dinner.  Here I want to show you more of this new dynamic between Aksinya and Natalya.  Anna, our romantic, asks about Aksinya's evening.  Aksinya is still in the mode of hopelessness.  She will not respond, but look who answers for her--Natalya.  Listen to the tone: “He took her to Tristan und Isolde by Wagner. It was a tragedy.”  Remember, I told you each opera and ballet are metaphors for Aksinya's life.  If you know Tristan und Isolde, you know what might have happened.  Listen to the conversation.  Fraulein Trauen's father wouldn't take her because it was too German.  This is an Austrian joke.  It means that it was too dour.  We can guess that the prudish Fraulein Trauen's father didn't want his daughter to see the adultery in the opera.  Tristan und Isolde is considered an adult opera especially for the time.
 
Natalya's response: she laughed.  The conversation returns to Aksinya.  Fraulein Trauen baits Aksinya: “Did you have a fight with him?”  And Natalya answers for Aksinya and there is deep irony in her answers.  Fraulein Trauen:  "What kind of wife will Herr von Traaffe get for himself.”  Natalya's response sounds like a threat:  “Herr von Taaffe knows exactly the kind of wife he will be getting.”

Aksinya does not respond.  She does not react.  She ignores them all.  Though Natalya has returned, there is no hope for Aksinya.  Tomorrow, the return of hope?

A New Novel, Part 136 You have so Little Purpose

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 wondrous 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 Wien, Austria.

Ernst has taken Aksinya to the Palais Coburg Hotel for dinner.  They are in the Red Room, a very exclusive place in the very exclusive Palais Coburg.  Ernst has asked Aksinya to call him by his first name.  Aksinya remains in command of the conversation and addresses Ernst...


“In any case, Ernst, am I to understand that you didn’t participate in the war?”


“Ah, but I did, Countess. I marched off with the first wave and served honorably until my father caught me. At his insistence, the Army sent me back and assigned me as an adjutant to a General in Wien. I would still be there except for the end of the war and the reduction of the military. They didn’t need a half Graf who was a lieutenant at full pay. So I am back to my old habits.”

“And what are those?”

“In general, I read. I study Latin. You understand why. I go to breakfast, luncheon, and dinner at my favorite restaurants in Wien. I visit my friends and my father’s friends. It is a pleasant existence.”

Aksinya pressed her lips together again.

“You disapprove?”

“A nobleman should be about a nobleman’s business…”

“And what is that?”

“Managing his estate. Keeping his horses and property. What about your people? Who holds court over them and judges their problems?”

Ernst laughed, “The aristocracy in Austria is much different than you imagine. My estate is not made up of lands and people. Although my father does have some property, and I keep a house here in town, our family’s wealth is in stocks and bonds. We hold industrial agreements and own factories.”

“And your people?”

“No one looks to us.”

“That is sad, you have so little purpose.”

The waiters poured them another glass of wine. This was just a little sweeter than the last. They removed the plates and utensils and exchanged them for a spoon and a small bowl of soup. The size of the spoon was petite and matched to the size of Aksinya’s mouth. She was very pleased with it. The soup pleased her as well. It was a buttery consume of some kind of squash and little bits of bacon. The wine matched it well.

You can count on Aksinya to pounce on the very singular issue that might be a problem in Ernst's life.  She choses the subject that no one will speak of here in Austria right now--the war.  Austria lost the war.  Austria is in ruins because of the war.  The war took food from the people and life from the society.  No one speaks about the war, and Aksinya knows this.  She wants to know about Ernst.  This is her way of testing the man.  She finds out that he was an officer.  She also discovers what he does for a living--nothing.  He is absolutely useless.  That really angers her, but she is willing to let it slip--for now.  She does admonish him.  That is when we learn about the shape of the Austrian nobility.  It is very different than the nobility Aksinya is used to.  She can only judge based on what she knows.  Her judgement is very harsh because she disapproves of Ernst's casual approach to his life.  All of this conversation per their culture is couched in gentle terms and gentleness. 

Still, now we know a lot about Ernst.  We know he fought in the war.  He is not a coward.  He is a wealthy man who doesn't desire to work.  He doesn't hold his nobility as very important.  Aksinya wants more, but she is happy with her luxuria for right now.  In the transition, we get a serving of the soup with more wine.  Tommorrow, Ernst grills Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 124 I Concede the Field to You

At dinner, Aksinya wants information about Ernst von Taaffe.  She suddenly has to contend with all kinds of problems at the table...

Aksinya turned her head toward the lady, “Because I had too much wine to drink.”


Fraulein Trauen slitted her eyes, “A young woman should always be careful and decorous.”

Lady Natalya had been following the conversation in German fairly well, “My mistress was both careful and decorous. I just had to help her up the stairs to bed.”

Fraulein Pfaff puffed out her cheeks, “You should be more careful than that. It is as Fraulein Trauen says, Ernst von Taaffe would be a good match for you.”

Fraulein Vogt put up her chin, “Such connections are meaningless now. My father told me, during the next session, the new Austrian Parliament intends to ban the aristocracy.”

The ladies across the table nodded sagely. Aksinya sunk a little lower in her seat. Natalya looked puzzled.

Fraulein Trauen smiled slyly, “Then there is no reason you should be careful or decorous, and then little reason for Ernst von Taaffe to not entertain us also.”

Aksinya scowled, “I understand your meaning there too. You mean I would not be able to attract Ernst von Taaffe except that I am a countess.”

Fraulein Trauen bit her lip. She looked down her nose at Aksinya, “It is usually not polite…”

“…to say what is unspoken, but true.” Aksinya finished for her.

Fraulein Trauen rose up an inch from her seat. She slowly sat back down and let out her breath.

Aksinya didn’t move an inch, “That serves you well, Fraulein Trauen. Self control is a very important trait in a young woman.”

Fraulein Trauen sniffed.

Aksinya gave a small smile, “It is a trait that I do not possess in the least.” She turned to Natalya, “Lady Natalya are you ready to retire for the evening?”

Fraulein Trauen’s lips were tight, “Retreat, you mean.”

“I concede the field to you, Fraulein Trauen. I cannot hold it with my virtue or my beauty.” She stood.

Natalya and Aksinya returned to their house across the street. When they left the dining room, Sister Margarethe joined them at the door. Aksinya didn’t acknowledge the nun, but Natalya gave her a greeting in German.

Aksinya drank too much.  Fraulein Trauen won't let it go.  She makes another snide comment and Natalya gets into the mix.  Fraulein Pfaff agrees, but Fraulein Vogt gives some new information.  In 1919, the parliament of Austria plans to vote to end the aristocracy (they did).  The end of the aristocracy is a hard thing for Aksinya to contemplate.  Her entire life is about aristocracy.  We will find out soon how much the concept drives her.
 
Fraulein Trauen just sees this as another opportunity to attack Aksinya.  Aksinya is very bright, she gets it, and she is not afraid to say out loud that which Fraulein Trauen dares not say.  Aksinya doesn't care about such things.  She views people as they are.  Although, Aksinya should be the one who takes offense, it is Fraulein Trauen who begins to get up.  Aksinya wins the round--she does indeed prove her worth and nobility.  She teaches a lesson that Fraulein Trauen doesn't get.  Then we get a confession from Aksinya--she knows that she doesn't have self control.  Actually she has unbelievable self control, but like everyone--there are things she has no self control about.  These are the things she means: luxuria, sorcery, sexual desire.
 
If you don't love Aksinya, at least you must love her wit: “I concede the field to you, Fraulein Trauen. I cannot hold it with my virtue or my beauty.”

Aksinya and Natalya return to Aksinya's house across the street.  We shall see what Aksinya tells Natalya about Ernst von Taaffe tomorrow. 

A New Novel, Part 90 A New Book of Sorcery

Now we get down to business.  Asmodeus does indeed have something for Aksinya.  He has more than one thing for her.  Everything has been set up and the demon is beginning to move forward.  Asmodeus is speaking.

“And you would die. That comes of losing an arm or an eye.”

Aksinya was breathing hard, “Why do others forget you so easily? My aunt and uncle didn’t even ask after you. It is as if you were a ghost or something.”

“I am no ghost, only a demon—a spirit, nonetheless. You know exactly what I am and who I am. You know I am not made corporeally of the material of this world. I am an eternal being like your eternal soul. You shall be with me for an eternity. You might as well get used to my company.”

“I am sleepy now, disturb me no longer.”

“Have you forgotten? I have work for you to do.”

“Get out!”

“I shall not.”

“I shall scream. See how that fits with your plans.”

“Dear countess, you may scream and scream and scream, no one will come. Just as I manipulate the world around us, I can change the sounds and the words as I will.”

Aksinya leapt off the bed and began to draw a circle in her special chalk on the floor. The demon stepped over to her and grasped her by the hair. Asmodeus shook her, “A magic circle will do you no good tonight. I will deliver my instructions and expect you to follow through with them.”

Aksinya writhed in his grasp.

“I know what you are thinking. You will make a circle before you go to bed. That will only stop me for a while. You should realize you can’t hide from me. I await your pleasure eternally. Now listen to me.” He shook her again, “Countess, I have a present for you.” He dropped her to the floor, and a heavy brown book fell beside her.

Aksinya crept away from the demon and the book.

The demon cracked his knuckles, “That is a new book for your collection. You read about it in one of the earlier tomes…and lusted for it. It is yours now.”

“Where did you get it?”

“What does it matter where it came from? It is yours now. I grace it to you to use the knowledge as you see fit.”

Aksinya couldn’t say anything back to the demon. She wanted to read the book. She longed to read it. She couldn’t say anything to him. She was too embarrassed to do anything at the moment.

Our closing comment yesterday from the demon.  If you are rid of me, you will die--is this a lie?  Aksinya doesn't know.  She asks the question that has plagued her mind this evening.  He doesn't answer her question, but he gives us a lot of information that defines a demon and a human soul.  The answer to Aksinya's question is within the framework of the demon's answer.  The demon is an eternal being like a human soul.  We knew than intrinsically.  The point is that like a soul, the demon is not corporeal.  The interchange becomes an argument and Aksinya threatens to scream--she will awaken the house.  The demon's response is exactly what Aksinya knows, the demon can change sounds and sights.  She also knows the solution that prevents the demon from acting on her.
 
She immediately jumps off the bed and begins to draw a magic circle.  She certainly didn't expect the demon's reaction.  He has never physically accosted her before.  Now he does.  The demon grabs her hair--do you get it.  He has not touched her before except to help her.  Now to punish and physically threaten her, he grabs her hair.  He can do this because she gave him her hair as a surety.  He can't harm her otherwise, not directly.
 
The Demon gives Aksinya a gift--he graces it to her.  The word grace is very important in this context.  It is a free gift of temptation.  It is a book of sorcery.  I don't tell you it is a book of sorcery, you figure it out from the context and Aksinya's desire.  Note the end of this piece--the only thing Aksinya can think of is to read the book.  The book is a book of sorcery and it is a focus of her lust.  The demon read her right.  He knew exactly the way to tempt her.  Now he has her attention and now that he does...we shall see what else he wants from Aksinya tomorrow.