A New Novel, Part 169 Where is Natalya?

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

When Ernst took Aksinya to the Opera the night before, Natalya helped get Aksinya drunk to the point that she couldn't stand.  Aksinya wakes in the morning...

Ernst didn’t kiss Aksinya that evening, at least she had no recollection that he kissed her. She wished he had. She didn’t remember much at all. In the morning, she woke with a splitting headache. A strange whiff of incense and sulfur touched her nose. Someone was opening the shutters of her windows. Aksinya didn’t open her eyes, “Don’t let the sun in Nata. I’ve told you so many times.”

“I’m not the Lady Natalya,” came Sister Margarethe’s voice.

Aksinya jerked to a sitting position and was overcome with dizziness. Her head ached. She held her head in her hands and fought down the nausea that enveloped her. Finally, between clenched teeth, she forced, “Where’s Nata? Where is she?”

Sister Margarethe sat on the side of the bed, “I have no idea. I assumed you sent her on an errand last night. She asked me to take care of you last evening, and she said I was to wake you in the morning.”

“You’ve seen her this morning?”

“No. She last spoke to me when Herr von Taaffe brought you home drunk again.”

Aksinya’s eyes widened, “Where is she? We must find her.”

“I’m certain she is fine. She seemed to be off on something important.”

“She can’t be fine. She can’t be. Why are you speaking so nonchalantly about this?”

“Let me help you with your bath. I’ve already drawn it for you.”

Aksinya was suddenly listless. She allowed Sister Margarethe to pull her out of bed and remove her nightgown. The nun helped her into the bath, “I’ll bring your morning tea and breakfast in a moment.”

Aksinya sat in the warm tub with her hands clasped together. She heard her sitting room door open and close. She couldn’t remember a waking moment when Nata was not at her side. This seemed too strange to her. Aksinya stared at her hands. Her eyes opened wide, the faint line of new scar crossed the many others on her left hand. She couldn’t imagine how it could have happened. She hadn’t done that kind of magic in a while. Finally, the sitting room door opened again. She heard Sister Margarethe as she directed the novices. The door shut again, and Sister Margarethe stepped into the bathroom, “Are you ready to get out, Countess?”

Aksinya nodded.

Sister Margarethe helped her out of the tub and dried her. She put a dressing gown around Aksinya’s shoulders, and led her into the sitting room. Sister Margarethe poured the tea and served Aksinya breakfast. That’s when Aksinya finally caught a whiff of it. Aksinya lifted her head and enunciated a couple of Latin words. She hadn’t practiced any sorcery in a while. The crucifix between her breasts heated immediately, but Aksinya knew it then. Sister Margarethe had been touched with sorcery. Her room had a definite scent of incense and under that, the sink of sulfur. Aksinya understood there could only be one source for it—it had to be that cursed demon, Asmodeus.

She didn’t know what to do. She had no idea where Natalya had gone. She wasn’t certain she could get anyone to help her. Sister Margarethe was convinced that Natalya had just gone out on an errand. Aksinya couldn’t appeal to her or to anyone in this world except… She began to pray. She wasn’t certain it would do any good, but she reasoned prayer couldn’t hurt. If Natalya didn’t return soon, Aksinya would call the demon that evening and demand that he come to her—explain everything to her.


In the morning, when Aksinya wakes, Sister Margarethe and not Natalya is in her bedroom.  With this short interaction, I give you an interesting view of Natalya and Aksinya's existence together.  In the morning, we know Natalya wakes Aksinya.  Natalya likes to open the shutters, Aksinya doesn't want so much sunlight in the morning.  We could have guessed this about Aksinya's personality, but it is fun for me to confirm your thoughts.  This is one of those little reminders of the characters' personalities.  These are not throw-away details, but continue to round out the characters and their personalities.

Natalya is missing.  Aksinya has a terrible hangover, but her first thought is of Natalya.  I don't want you to miss the incense and sulfur smell in Aksinya's bedroom.  This we know indicates the demon has been recently in the room.  The incense means...I'll get to that eventually.  If you have read this novel from the beginning, you might be able to guess.  You'll get more hints later.

Where is Natalya?  Sister Margarethe assumed Aksinya sent her on an errand last night.  Sister Margarethe spoke to Natalya, and Natalya left instructions for the sister.  This seems well planned.  Aksinya asks if the Sister has seen Natalya this morning--the Sister saw Natalya last night.  The Sister gets a small dig in about Aksinya coming home drunk with Herr von Taaffe.

Aksinya knows that Natalya's disappearance is a very big deal.  I don't tell you how distraught Aksinya is, I show you.  Sister Margarethe tries to soothe and placate Aksinya, and I show you how the Sister sounds to Aksinya--nonchalant.  She does sound nonchalant and this is unusual for Sister Margarethe.  She is not as worried about Natalya.  She never has shown much attention to Natalya--the Sister sees Natalya as a rival, but Sister Margarethe is always concerned about Aksinya.  What bothers Aksinya should bother Sister Margarethe.

I don't show you Aksinya's thoughts here.  I show you her reaction.  It suddenly dawns on Aksinya, the sulfur, the missing Natalya, the nonchalant Sister Margarethe, the demon has had a hand in Natalya's disappearance.  That is why Aksinya becomes listless--she knows she can do nothing to find or help Natalya.

The bath has been a place for revelations before in this novel.  It is a symbol for revelations in this book.  I chose it intentionally.  The subject matter fits it, but the bath is an obvious metaphor for baptism.  Initially, the demon prepared a bath for Aksinya.  He metaphorically baptised her.  That bath included great revelations about Aksinya.  Natalya prepared the next bath for Aksinya, and Natalya participated in a bath using the same water after Aksinya.  These were revelations about Aksinya and Natalya.  Now, Sister Margarethe prepares a bath for Aksinya...

In the bath, Aksinya thinks about Natalya.  Aksinya's hands are clasped together.  It is strange that Aksinya should realize she can't remember a time when Natalya was not with her.  Aksinya notes a new scar on her left hand--we know what that means.  Aksinya cast a successful great sorcery last night--do you remember the scent of incense.  This was the hint before that foreshadows this revelation now.  Aksinya made a great enchantment and has no memory of it at all.

As Sister Margarethe pours tea for Aksinya's breakfast, Aksinya detects a whiff of sorcery on the Sister.  I mentioned this more than once that Ernst could detect the smell of sorcery.  Aksinya knows it too well.  Aksinya puts all this together for us.  Asmodeus has somehow affected Aksinya and Sister Margarehte, and Natalya is missing. 

Aksinya has not given up hope, but she knows she can't fight the demon directly.  No one, she believe, in the physical world can help her.  She prays and isn't certain if prayer will help either.  She will confront the demon over Natalya.  She is driven to this.  She will face anything for her friend, but note Aksinya's despondency--she realizes there is little she can do.  Tomorrow, Natalya returns?

A New Novel, Part 104 The Great Enchantment

Aksinya is dying and Natalya helps her set up her sorcery.  We have an idea what is being done, but we are not certain, yet.  Natalya knows everything that Aksinya will do--she has obviously been watching her accomplish sorcery...

Aksinya grabbed for the bag of wax and couldn’t reach it. Natalya opened it and put the whole lump in Aksinya’s hands. Aksinya fumbled for the bag of herbs. Natalya opened that one for her too. Aksinya held the wax in one hand and the herbs in the other.


Aksinya motioned Natalya back with her chin. Natalya ran to the other side of the room. She wanted to watch. She could not take her eyes off Aksinya.

Aksinya’s lips moved slowly at first, but then faster. Her hands brought the wax and the dried leaves together. Aksinya didn’t look at her hands, but in them formed a small figure made of wax. Pieces of the herbs filled the lightly transparent material and stuck out in places. Aksinya’s voice almost increased to the level that Natalya could hear her, but it rose and fell in volume and the words were strange.

Finally, Aksinya grasped all around her. She nearly fell, but kept upright. Natalya didn’t know what to do. Aksinya’s hands moved slowly but frantically on the floor at every side. Natalya knew what Aksinya wanted, it was the dagger. She saw it just to her side.

Natalya called out, “There mistress. Your dagger is on your right.”

Aksinya mouthed, don’t speak.

Natalya fell silent, but without crossing the circle, she pointed at the dagger.

Aksinya reached out and took the knife by the blade. Natalya grasped, it bit into Aksinya’s fingers. Blood trickled from the fist that held the dagger. Aksinya dropped it and seized the wax doll. Blood covered it.

A low sound filled the room. The wax melted and was gone. The blood was suddenly gone. The tallow candles were out, and a bright flash filled the magic circle. For a moment, Natalya couldn’t see Aksinya. She was about to cry out, but she bit her lip. Natalya blinked her eyes, and Aksinya lay prostrate in the center of the magic circle. Natalya ran to the edge and hopped from foot to foot. She didn’t dare cross the circle. She didn’t dare speak. She didn’t dare do anything. Finally, she couldn’t wait any longer, “Countess.” She screamed, “Countess, are you all right?”

Aksinya raised her head and nodded, “Come, sweet Natalya. All is well. I just must sleep now.” Her head fell back to the floor, and she didn’t move.

Natalya ran across the circle to Aksinya’s side. She put her arms around her mistress and held her close. She listened covetously to her breathing and her heartbeat. She kissed her cheeks. Slowly, tenderly, she dragged Aksinya to the bed and lifted her onto it. They were almost the same weight, but Natalya was determined. Then she cleaned up the magic circle and put away all of Aksinya’s items. She laid back the rug. When everything was perfect, Natalya checked on Aksinya again. She kissed her forehead and went to get Sister Margarethe.

Aksinya is accomplishing a great enchantment.  The circle was properly made and encompasses her.  She takes wax--it is the item that will represent her physical body.  She takes herbs.  The body has form, the wax, and parts of the living earth, the herbs.  Natalya gets out of the way, but she wants to watch everything.  This is an amazing thing in the world--the work of a master sorceress.
 
The words are the Latin that Aksinya has memorized to make the enchantment occur.  With the words and the item properly formed, the last ingredient is the sacrifice.  Previously, Aksinya herself was the sacrifice--that was what injured her (along with the backlash from the power of God in the world).  Natalya helps Aksinya find the dagger.  Since Aksinya can barely manipulate the items, she just grasps the razor sharp dagger and allows it to slice her hand.  With the addition of the blood sacrifice to the wax and herb figure, along with the Latin words, the enchantment is complete, and we see the result.
 
Natalya's greatest concern is for Aksinya.  This is always true.  The enchantment was a success and Aksinya needs to rest.  Natalya takes care of everything--Aksinya knew she would.  She gets Aksinya back into bed and everything is right again in their world, or is it?  Aksinya is whole again, but much has happened.  Sister Margarethe knows about the house, and the sister is inside Aksinya's house.  The demon has been thwarted by Aksinya.  He disappeared, but is he truly gone?  The men from the tavern, are they dead or alive?  What about Aksinya's book of sorcery?  What about the gentleman who was outside the tavern?  What will happen now?  I told you this was a pivotal chapter.  You can see how everything has been brought together to make these events happen at this point.  The world has changed radically for Aksinya and Natalya--the world has changed for many of the participants in this novel.  We shall see how it plays out.

A New Novel, Part 101 The Great Enchantment

Natalya and Sister Margarethe are about to be raped in the streets.  The demon has proposed multiple solutions most of which will not work.  He is driving Aksinya to some course of action.  The obvious solution is what the demon told Aksinya he could do for her a long time ago--I can murder in your name.  Aksinya is driven into a corner.  She is fighting against the demon and has had a tiny success when he could not strip her to do his will.  Now we will see what Aksinya has decided to do...

Natalya and Sister Margarethe writhed on the ground. Their attackers just now reached for the buttons on their pants and knelt on the hard cobbles before the two women in preparation to violate them. Aksinya lifted up a prayer as a great cry. She grasped the crucifix around her neck through her clothing and dropped her book. It fell at her feet.


The demon leaned toward her. His sulfurous breath touched her face, “That will do you no good. That guy isn’t listening to you. He never did before, and He certainly isn’t going to start now.”

Aksinya’s cries turned into a Latin curse. She began to shout in Latin. Her words flowed faster and faster.

The demon stepped back, “You can’t do that spell without preparation.” He reached for her. The smell of sulfur increased.

The young man stood helpless with his arms at his side. We stared at Aksinya. Natalya and Sister Margarethe stopped moving and stared at Aksinya. Her words were strange and a glow began to encompass her.

The men around Natalya and Sister Margarethe stopped and turned to stare.

Asmodeus’ clawed hand nearly touched Aksinya, but he flinched and pulled it back, “You can’t do that spell without a magic circle. It will bring the force of the world back on you. It may kill you. I can’t allow you to do it.”

Aksinya ignored him or didn’t hear him. She raised her hands and cried out a terrible word in Latin. The world stopped for a moment. All the passion in every person there suddenly disappeared. In that moment, the men from the tavern were gone. They were no longer there. It was as though they disappeared with all the passion and lust and emotion that had encompassed them in that moment.

As if it was an afterthought, the demon was suddenly gone too.

Aksinya let out another cry. She screamed. She felt something powerful around her, suffocating her. Then the pain filled her from head to toe. She heard a snapping like brittle sticks being broken, and fell to her knees. The crucifix on her chest seared her skin. She thought she smelled scorched silk and flesh. She doubled over and heaved and heaved again. She lost her breath and sucked in a lungful of vomit and choked. She collapsed to the street in agony. She couldn’t breath and in a moment blessed oblivion caught her.

Now we have reached the climax of this scene and a pivotal point in the novel.  The men from the tavern are about to rape Natalya and the Sister Margarethe.  Aksinya cries out a prayer.  She drops her book of sorcery.  She grasps her crucifix.  The demon taunts her about her prayer and Aksinya turns her prayer into a "great" enchantment.  This is why I told you all about "big" sorcery and "little" sorcery yesterday.  You didn't really need my explanation to understand what is going on, but with that revelation, everything should make sense (remember, I don't like to tell my readers everything, but I'm reveling trade secrets to you).
 
The demon explains everything to you--you can't do that spell without preparation.  He can't stop her.  Everyone's attention is suddenly on Aksinya.  Her words and her power course through the place.  They all watch her. 
 
The demon gives you more of the revelation, a small piece, you can't make that spell without a magic circle.  The power of the world will be reflected back on you and you might die.  If you wondered why a sorcerer requires a protective circle--this is it.  Aksinya doesn't listen.  We know she wishes to die, but that she is too afraid to die.  We know she wants to be free of the demon.  She has opposed him once with the crosses.  She thinks she can do it again with this spell.  Note that she still opposes God.  She is using her own power and her own knowledge to fight the demon.  She realizes she might die, but she will take that risk.  The demon's fear is interesting.  He doesn't want her to die--will he then be in default?
 
Aksinya's spell is successful.  Suddenly, the passion of the men is gone, and they are gone.  I don't give you a lot of details about what exactly happens--that will be partially answered in the future because Aksinya doesn't know exactly what happened.  This is part of the point I've made before--don't tell your readers everything.  Don't let your readers know more than the main character knows--that's one way you build tension and mystery.  The rest of the answer will be to a degree given in the novel, but not here.  The demon is also gone--for a while.
 
Then we see the results of Aksinya's enchantment as it affects her.  The power of the world hits her.  This is the power of God in the world.  The protective circle protects the sorcerer from the backlash of the power of God, and Aksinya is struck by it.  The sounds of snapping twigs are her bones.  Her injuries are great and we shall see tomorrow the result of her actions.
 
On another note, I finished the third rewrite of the novel and am still working on it.  Yesterday, I put it together for the first time as a single document.  I write in chapters and make each chapter in the document a separate file.  This is for protection in case of loss, and a habit from the days when a full novel wouldn't fit into a single file.  I put the entire novel together in a single linked master outlined document and format it there.  I still work on the individual chapters as single files.  In any case, the novel is about 121,500 words, and is still a very tight novel.  There isn't an extraneous scene in it.