Scenes - Scene Setting, Character Truth

24 March 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Character Truth

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

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

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are lots of approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Now... we have the full scene setting.  Aksinya is fully awake and can note the environment.  The reader shares this with her. 

Aksinya finally woke again in the early afternoon.  Frau Becker and Frau Mauer both stayed with her and kept a close eye on her.  The moment Aksinya woke, she tried to get up, but she didn’t have the strength.  The room was bright and warm.  A coal fire burned in the fireplace.  The bed was large and beautiful.  Aksinya couldn’t see much more of the room than that at first.  Frau Becker had food and tea for her.  The two women helped Aksinya sit with some pillows behind her.  Then Aksinya could see the rest of the place.  It looked like a guest room in a fine house. 

The women fed her and gave her tea.  Aksinya tolled her rosary and then recited part of Matthew in Greek.  Frau Becker and Frau Mauer didn’t know what to make of that.  By the late afternoon, Frau Becker thought about calling for supper for them all when a knock came at the room’s door.

Frau Becker, at Aksinya’s side nodded toward Frau Mauer.  Frau Mauer went to the door, “This is a private room under guard.  Who is at the door?”

“This is the Inquisitor Esposito.  I’m here to speak to the prisoner about her defense.”

Frau Becker nodded, and Frau Mauer opened the door.

The stocky priest inquisitor entered the room.  He wore his usual priestly robes.  Frau Becker stood.  The priest walked up to the bed and cocked his head and observed Aksinya for a long moment.

Aksinya turned her face away, “Please, Inquisitor Esposito, I feel very uncomfortable under your scrutiny.”

He smiled and sat in the chair Frau Becker had left.  “Sorry,” he didn’t sound sorry, “I just wanted to take a careful look at you.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never seen a sorceress like you.”

Frau Becker snorted, “Have you ever seen a sorceress at all?”

      He glanced annoyed at Frau Becker, “Actually, no. Might I have a private discussion with the Fraulein?”

      Frau Becker brought a chair from the small table and put it on the other side of the bed, “Actually, no.  Frau Mauer and I will chaperone the Fraulein while you are here.”

      Aksinya smiled, “Thank you very much, Frau Becker.”

      The expression of the priest’s face didn’t change, “Very well, but if she must confess, you will have to move far enough away not to hear.”

      Inquisitor Esposito took out his briefcase and pulled out some papers and a fountain pen, “Now Fraulein Golitsyna, you must realize the charges of the Church against you are very serious.”

      “That I am guilty of sorcery, I confess.”

“You confess it?”

“Yes, I freely confess this.  I already confessed sorcery along with all my acts against God to my Orthodox priest, Father Dobrushin.”  Aksinya rushed ahead, “I would like to speak to Father Dobrushin.”

“That is not possible.”

“Why not?”

“He is Orthodox and not permitted at your trial.”

“I am Orthodox—does the same rule apply to me?”

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.”

“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.”

“You also tried to kill yourself.  That is a very grievous crime as well.”

“I did not try to kill myself.”  Aksinya’s voice was low, “I tried to protect myself from the demon.”

“Yes.  This will be very difficult to defend Fraulein.”  The Inquisitor placed his papers and pen back into his briefcase.

“I have no intention of defending myself at the trial.”

“Yes.  I see.  I am still called to defend you.”

“I will not hold it against you because you will fail.  I am guilty.”

“I see.”  The inquisitor stood.  He started for the door.  He stopped and called over his shoulder, “We expect the trial to begin tomorrow.  Do you have anyone who might speak in your favor?”

“My priest, Father Dobrushin, Father Makar, the Matushka Ekaterina.  They might speak in my favor.”

“They are Orthodox.  They will not be allowed to testify.”

“Then there is no one who will speak for me.  But it doesn’t matter because I am guilty.”

The Priest went to the door.  Frau Becker pursued him through the opening.  In the hall outside, she called to him, “Inquisitor Esposito.”

The priest turned, “Yes, Frau.”

“You know this girl is not fully sane.  No one can really do sorcery.  No one can do the things this child has been accused of.”

“She has confessed to them, and I don’t see much that I can defend.”

“Listen to me, Father.  For the love of God, you must not allow them to harm her.  Since she has been here, I have not seen anything in her but an honest and contrite woman.  I hear the papers are following everything.  I know there are reporters outside the gates every day.  This trial will ruin her and many others.  It will not help the Church.  It will not lead to anything good.”

“The Pope himself sent us to seek out a resolution to this matter.  It is not in our hands.  It is in the hands of God.  For better or worst, the result will be what it is.  Additionally, Archinquisitor Gallo is a driven man.  He will not let this go until it reaches the bitter end.  The scourging and discipline of the Church and its members is a critical function that we provide.”

“But this will not scourge and discipline.  It will lead to much harm.”

“So you say,” he frowned down on Frau Becker.

“Let me testify in her favor.  I am a member of the Church and can speak to her sanity and her goodness.”

“That will not be allowed.  You are not a witness to any of the charges to which she has been accused.”  The inquisitor turned on his heel and left Frau Becker standing with her mouth hanging open.

In this scene, we learn a lot about what is going on around Aksinya.  We see the basic charges against her and what the inquisitors think.  We also see what Frau Becker thinks. Frau Becker is the normal mind among everyone close to Aksinya at this point.  Frau Becker doesn't believe in the demon.  She doesn't mistrust Aksinya, but she doesn't believe her either.  She doesn't believe the inquisitors.  This is the same situation as the thinking reader.  They wonder what is the truth and they wonder what to believe.  Ironically, everyone seems to know that the deck is stacked against Aksinya.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

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

A New Novel, Part 258 Because You Believe Me

19 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 258 Because You Believe Me  

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's secular trial is about to begin.  Aksinya and Father Dobrushin are in the courtroom in the Rathaus in Wien.  They are discussing more than the case.  Father Dobrushin is trying to prepare.  Aksinya wants to know why Father Dobrushin is helping her...

The prosecutors came to their table.  They nodded toward Aksinya and to Father Dobrushin.  Father Dobrushin stepped over and shook their hands.  Aksinya heard only quiet greetings between them.  The priest sat down again and continued to glance through his papers.  The benches of the courtroom began to fill behind them.  Aksinya fidgeted for a while then asked Father Dobrushin, “Why are there so many people in the benches?  Is there an important trial later?”

Father Dobrushin’s lips turned down, “You haven’t seen the papers for a while.”

“They don’t give me anything to read in the jail.  I only have the Greek Bible you brought me.”

“You have been on the front page of every paper in the city and perhaps Austria since well before the ecclesiastical trial two weeks ago.”

“I have?”

“If you look closely, the men on the back row are all photographers and reporters.  They are not allowed to take pictures in the courtroom.  When you leave here, they will all try to snap your picture.”

“Really?  What did they say about me?”

“Nothing flattering.”

“But what did they say?”

“They called you a witch and a sorceress.”

“That’s pretty innocuous and besides, it’s true.”

“There were other things less flattering, but mostly they called the Cardinal and the inquisitors to task for trying a mentally ill girl in an ecclesiastical court.”

Aksinya’s brow wrinkled, “The mentally ill girl was me?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“Why this time?”

“Because you believe me.”  She glanced at him from the sides of her eyes and sighed, “I’ll try not to bother you again.”

“When?  Now?  It’s too late.”

So, Aksinya and Father Dobrushin continue their conversation, the focus is a little different now.  We see the entrance of the prosecutors.  They are pleasant, but not familiar.  There is not much reason for me to describe them right now.  Father Dobrushin greets them.  We know this is good policy for the defender in a trial. 

Aksinya can't keep still.  She is interested in everything.  The world seems comforting and bright to her.  We can feel the freedom she knows.  Aksinya wonders about the number of people who are in the courtroom.  This is a technique to point them out to you without using description.  Now, we learn more about the situation around Aksinya.  From Frau Becker, we learned about the reporters and the news.  Here, we hear more information from Father Dobrushin.

This piece of conversation is intended to show you about the potential problems Aksinya will face with the press and how important her story has been in Austria and Wien.  We learned that the Cardinal and the inquisitors are being called to task for their actions.  Do you remember, I told you the demon would try to ruin them all.  By trying Aksinya, the Cardinal and the inquisitors have caused themselves problems for the Catholic Church and for themselves as individuals.

The press already calls Aksinya a mentally ill girl.  She picks up on this immediately.  It bothers her because of the issue of her sanity.  The fact that Father Dobrushin believes her makes Aksinya happy.  He is literally her only hope.  Tomorrow, the trial really begins.

A New Novel, Part 251 You are Meaningless Now

12 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 251 You are Meaningless Now

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.

During the ecclesiastical trial, once the Archinquisitor succeeds in determining there is a witness to Aksinya's sorcery and after Natalya, Ernst, and Sister Margarethe acknowledge Aksinya's sorcery, the Archinquisitor is ready to pronounce judgement...

The Archinquisitor smiled, “I think the guilt of all these individuals can be attributed to the Princess Aksinya.  Therefore, I am ready to pronounce my verdict on all of them.  This verdict shall stand unless revoked by Rome.”  He paused for a moment then continued, “If I had the authority, I would ask that you,” he pointed at Aksinya, “be burned at the stake.  I don’t have that power, therefore, I pronounce the Princess Aksinya guilty of necromancy and sorcery.  She is not Catholic and therefore cannot be excommunicated.  She shall be denied communion and succor from the Holy Catholic Church all her life long.  She is a notorious sinner who has brought many to ruin.  She will not be allowed in any building or property owned by this Church.  She shall not be acknowledged by any leader of the Holy Catholic Church as nobility nor aristocracy.  She is to be shunned by commoner and noble alike until her life ends.  This edict with a similar recommendation shall be sent to the Orthodox Church and to all other official Christian bodies.  They shall judge her themselves.”

Aksinya smiled and nodded.

“As to these others.”

Aksinya growled, “I accept your punishment.  It is just.  Do not judge these others.  I renounce any association with them.”

The Archinquisitor chuckled, “They must answer for their own sins.  It is not up to you to judge, little girl.  Herr von Taaffe, you are allowed communion after proper repentance and penance to be determined by the Cardinal of Wien.  You are accused and guilty of seduction and acquaintance with sorcery.  Repent of this, and you shall be freely given the succor of your Holy Church.  Equally, you, Sister Margarethe, are guilty of acquaintance with sorcery.  You shall not be allowed to teach for the rest of your life.  After proper repentance and penance, you shall be allowed to continue as a novice of your community until such time as your Reverend Mother and Abbot shall accept you into the Holy Orders again.”  He took a deep breath, “You, Lady Natalya are a victim of this woman.  Upon repentance and penance and if you are confirmed within our community, I allow you to join with our Holy Catholic Church.”

Aksinya’s lips turned slightly up.  That quickly became a frown.

The Archinquisitor continued, “Reverend Mother Kluge, you allowed this sorceress to enter Sacré Coeur and bewitch your sisters and your students.  You shall be reduced to a sister of your order and not hold the position of Reverend Mother again.  The Abbot, Father Abend, is equally guilty of this sin and shall also be reduced to a priest without authority until properly elevated.  I pronounce the school, Sacré Coeur, to be closed until a full accounting of the evil that was committed within it is determined and purged.  It shall open again only under these conditions are met.”

The Reverend Mother gave a cry.  The sisters around her held to her.

“The convent shall be under a full review and shall accept penance until the time the Cardinal of Wien shall lift that penance.  No new novices shall be accepted nor sisters elevated until that time.”

Aksinya panted, “You already had planned all this before you heard anything, didn’t you?”

“You, little girl have nothing to say to me.  You are meaningless now.  You will soon face your accusers in another court, a court of secular law, and you should pray they are as lenient as I.”    

Aksinya stood, “I accept the just punishment for my sins.  I admit to them and confess them all to you.”  She dropped to her knees, “I beg your pardon for any and all suffering I have caused.  I have no excuse for my actions.  I only wish I could take your suffering on myself.  Forgive all these.  Please, in the name of God, forgive them and only punish me.”

The Archinquisitor made a dismissive motion with his hand and signaled for the guards, “Your penance and pleas come much too late, little girl.”

So, now we realize the reason for the trial and for the Archinquisitor's actions.  His purpose was not to simply try Aksinya, but rather to determine the quilt of as many other people whose lives Aksinya touched.  You can see this was the demon's purpose as well.  Asmodeus told Aksinya that he would destroy as many of her friends as possible.  The Archinquisitor is simply doing the job of the demon.  He is very effective at it.

The Archinquisitor starts: “I think the guilt of all these individuals can be attributed to the Princess Aksinya.  Therefore, I am ready to pronounce my verdict on all of them."  This is the authority of the Archinquisitor.  He pronounces his judgement.  Notice how detailed his punishment is.  You might think he practiced it--for effect.

Aksinya accepts the punishment--to her this is just.  She wanted to be punished and although she imagines this punishment won't affect her much (it will in the future), she accepts it.  But then the Archinquisitor moves on to "the others."

The Archinquisitor calls Aksinya, "little girl," again.  Remember, this is the exact term the demon used.  The Archinquisitor moves on to Ernst.  Ernst seduced Natalya and acknowledge he had a part in sorcery.  We might imagine these punishments as small and unimportant--the result will be devastating.  The idea at this time in the world for a person to be condemned by the Church has social and cultural repercussions.  The simple point that Ernst was found guilty of seduction will destroy his reputation.  His penance, required by the Church, will destroy his position in the community.
The Archinquisitor doesn't stop with Ernst, the Sister Margarethe falls under his judgement.  Remember that the sister loved to teach.  Her whole life was teaching--that is until she met Aksinya.  Her whole life was the Church and her order.  Everything important in the life of Sister Margarethe has been wiped out in a second.

Natalya gets off easy.  She already confessed to seduction, sexual relations with Ernst, and being an apprentice to a sorceress.  Her life in Wien is ruined.  The reason Aksinya's lips turned up is because she imagines that Natalya will never wish to be a member of the Catholic Church.  On the other hand, there are many reasons Natalya might wish to become a member of the Catholic Church.

The Archinquisitor moves on to the Reverend Mother and the Abbot.  He wipes out their loves and their lives.  He closes Sacré Coeur.  So the Reverend Mother loses both her position and the school she loves.  The same for the Abbot.

The convent doesn't escape the Archinquisitor.

Aksinya tries to stop the Archinquisitor.  She should know be now that she can't stop the evil of the demon.  That evil is expressed at this point by the Archinquisitor.  He reminds her that she will soon face another court.  He is gloating--just as the demon likes to gloat.  Aksinya pushes her last defense: "Forgive all these.  Please, in the name of God, forgive them and only punish me.”  Unfortunately, Aksinya's penance comes too late for the Archinquisitor.  It always is too late.  This is the end of chapter 18.  Tomorrow, we begin chapter 19 with scene and chapter setting.

A New Novel, Part 250 This Verdict Shall Stand Unless Revoked by Rome

11 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 250 This Verdict Shall Stand Unless Revoked by Rome

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 charges of sorcery against Aksinya have been proven by witnesses--first Herr Mueller then by her friends...

The Archinquisitor tapped his paper, “The innocence of these three is still in question.  I wish to question them.  First, Herr Taaffe, did you know the Princess Aksinya was a sorceress?”

“Princess…?” He glanced at Aksinya, “I knew the Countess was a sorceress. Yes.”

Aksinya groaned, “You need not confess to such a thing.  I will not lie, but I don’t wish them to lie on my account.”

The Archinquisitor grinned, “Herr Taaffe are you lying?”

“No, I knew she was a sorceress.  That is why I sought her out.”

Aksinya collapsed in her chair, “I am guilty and not they.”

“We shall see.  How about you, Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.  Did you know the Princess Aksinya was a sorceress?”

“Yes, I became her apprentice for that reason.”

Aksinya cried, “I tricked them.  I forced them.”

“And you, Sister Margarethe?”

“I knew.  She never harmed anyone.  This I swear.”

“But you knew and never informed your Reverend Mother or your priest, the Abbot.”

“I never told them.”

“Why?”

“Because I love the Countess.  I would do anything for her—to protect her.”

Aksinya let out a great cry.

Archinquisitor Gallo smacked his lips, “Herr von Taaffe, you affianced, the Princess Aksinya, yet you knew she was a sorceress.”

Aksinya yelled, “He never affianced me.”

The Archinquisitor wheeled toward her, “Why did you not?”

Natalya spoke quietly, “Because I seduced, Herr von Taaffe to protect her.”

Aksinya roared, “Shut up, Natalya.  You…you.  Please don’t do this.  I already told you I am a sorceress.  What do you gain by smearing my friends?”

The Archinquisitor smiled, “I think the guilt of all these individuals can be attributed to the Princess Aksinya.  Therefore, I am ready to pronounce my verdict on all of them.  This verdict shall stand unless revoked by Rome.”

Now the case against Aksinya comes all together.  There is no place for lies here.  Although Ernst lied before, he believes by acknowledging that Aksinya is a sorceress he will help her.  Her guilt of sorcery has been determined by witnesses.  Ernst tried at first to keep it ambivalent, but Aksinya's confession is too much.  Her friends don't see anything to gain by lying.  They thing they are helping Aksinya.  Aksinya has already confessed.  They see the truth that Aksinya protected them and that they love her.  They don't understand what is going on in this trial. 

The Archinquisitor knows much about this situation.  He even draws out Natalya's confession that she seduced Ernst.  The press is covering this trial.  Everything will be in the papers tomorrow.  This will mean the ruin of Aksinya, Natalya, Ernst, and Sister Margarethe.

The result of the trial is determined--that Aksinya is guilty.  What hasn't been determined yet is who else is guilty.  This is what the Archinquisitor desires.  He wishes to spread Aksinya's guilt all around.  This was the goal of the demon.  We shall see the result tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 249 I Did Use Sorcery to Save Them

10 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 249 I Did Use Sorcery to Save Them

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.  Aksinya is acknowledged as a Russian Princess.  Now the Archinquisitor is pursuing the other charges against Aksinya.  He brings witnesses to her sorcery.  Aksinya is speaking to the inquisitor Esposito...

“I insist.  Inquisitor, your job is defense, then defend.  Ask them what was happening.”

“I must swear them in.”

“Then do so.”

Sister Margarethe and Natalya stepped forward, and the Inquisitor swore them in.

Ernst stepped up beside them, “I insist on answering also.”

The inquisitor swore him in too.

Aksinya demanded, “Ask them now.  What was happening outside the Golden Adler?”

The Archinquisitor spat, “Tell us, then, what was happening?”

Ernst held his head up high, “This man along with about ten others were about to rape the Lady Natalya and the Sister.  The Countess stopped them.”

“Using sorcery.”

Ernst continued, “I don’t know what she did.  All I know, is that she stopped them from violating the ladies.”

The Archinquisitor continued, “And what she did caused those men to find themselves in the street later more than a block away.”

“It saved the Lady and Sister’s virtue from rapists.”

Herr Mueller clenched his hands together, “Father, may I go.”

“Yes, go.”

Aksinya’s voice rang clearly, “I did use sorcery to save them.  Those men were tempted by the demon.  My demon is Asmodeus, the demon of lust and luxuria.  It was his doing.  He tempted those men and caused them to act as they did.  As you can see, Herr Taaffe, the Lady Natalya, and Sister Margarethe are innocent.  I can’t vouch for the innocence of Herr Mueller.”

Herr Mueller ran to the door and was let out.

Aksinya is no fool about justice and trials.  Do you remember that her father metted out justice to his holders and that Aksinya believes this is a primary purpose for the nobility.  So, you should expect her to know the questions to ask and how justice should work.  Unfortunately, Aksinya doesn't want to win this trial, she only wants to prevent anyone else from being condemned.

Aksinya demands that the inquisitor ask Herr Mueller what was happening at the Gasthaus.  Herr Mueller doesn't want to answer this question and the inquisitors don't want this to be common knowledge either.  The knowledge won't make Aksinya any less guilty, but it will hurt public opinion.  You can see that this is the work of a very devious mind.  If the information gets out that Aksinya was doing good by her sorcery, this makes the Catholic Church in Wien look bad.  It also makes the inquisitors look bad. 

If Aksinya doesn't insist that Herr Mueller answer the questions, then all those who were there are immediately condemned.  We will see that tomorrow.  Today, Ernst along with the Sister and Natalya insist on acting as witnesses.

Their testimony is that Aksinya prevented a gang rape.  Ernst lies and says he didn't know what Aksinya did.  Herr Mueller doesn't want to hang around.  His crime was hidden only because sorcery was involved.  He certainly doesn't want the information to get around that he and his friends tried to rape a school girl and a nun.  Too late, it will be in the press tomorrow.  He is ruined by this trial as are his friends--they should be ruined, but that isn't the end.

Aksinya uses this testimony as an opportunity to claim her friends are without guilt.  The Archinquisitor will test this--tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 248 Your Job is Defense, Then Defend

9 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 248 Your Job is Defense, Then Defend

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.  Aksinya is acknowledged as a Russian Princess.  Now the Archinquisitor is pursuing the other charges against Aksinya.  He claims there are witnesses to her sorcery...

“This is also a sin of grave consequence.  Inquisitor, call the first witness to her sorcery.”

Aksinya plopped down in her chair.

The Inquisitor stepped to the door and brought in a middle-aged man with a heavy face and the clothing of a merchant.  Inquisitor Esposito swore him in as a witness and ended, “State your name for the court.”

“If it please you, Father.  I’m August Mueller.”

The Archinquisitor looked the man up and down, “Herr Mueller, you stated that you saw an act of sorcery caused by this woman, the Princess Aksinya.  Please describe it.”

“Yes, Father.  One evening last December, my friends and I were drinking, begging your pardon, at the Golden Adler Gasthaus on Sacré Coeur Straße.  That Lady,” He pointed at Aksinya, “said some strange words and pointed at us, and when we woke up we were on the street more than a block from the Gasthaus.”

“Where there any other people around at the time?”

“There were my mates.  You already talked to them all.  But there was also a nun and another Lady.  This one,” He pointed at Aksinya again, “was dressed in the uniform of Sacré Coeur.  The other lady was also dressed like her.”

“Anyone else?”

“There was a gentleman.”

“Do you recognize the nun in this courtroom?”

The man paused a moment, then pointed, “That nun, there.”

“Sister Margarethe, will you stand.”

Sister Margarethe grabbed the seat in front of her and stood.

Herr Mueller nodded, “That’s the one.”

Archinquisitor Gallo smiled, “I’d like you to look at a couple of other people and see if you can identify them.  Inquisitor.”

Inquisitor Esposito went to the door and Ernst Taaffe followed by Natalya entered.  Natalya held her head up high, but she was slightly stooped on one side.  Tears covered her face.  Aksinya started.  She stood, “Lady Natalya.”

Lady Natalya wailed, “I’m so sorry, Mistress.  They forced me to come here.”

The Archinquisitor snarled, “Quiet.  Herr Mueller, do you recognize this man and woman?”

“Yes, Father.  That is the gentleman I mentioned, there, and the other lady.”

Aksinya cried out, “Why don’t you ask Herr Mueller what he was doing when this sorcery occurred.”

Herr Mueller colored.

The Archinquisitor snapped, “Herr Mueller is not on trial here.”

“Then ask the Lady Natalya or Sister Margarethe what was happening at the time.”

“That is neither here nor there.”

“I insist.  Inquisitor, your job is defense, then defend.  Ask them what was happening.”

“I must swear them in.”

“Then do so.”

The pattern of the Archinquisitor's prosecution becomes quickly obvious.  He brings as his witness one of the rapists.  This man can identify Aksinya, Natalya, Ernst, and Sister Margarethe.  The implication is first that there are many more witnesses (all attempted rapists), and second, that those identified were accomplices in the act of sorcery.  Note that the claims of the witness are dubious: “Yes, Father.  One evening last December, my friends and I were drinking, begging your pardon, at the Golden Adler Gasthaus on Sacré Coeur Straße.  That Lady,” He pointed at Aksinya, “said some strange words and pointed at us, and when we woke up we were on the street more than a block from the Gasthaus.”.  The important thing isn't the claims, Aksinya herself has already confessed to sorcery, the important issue to the Archinquisitor is the accomplices.

The witness identifies Aksinya and Sister Margarethe.  Then we get our first glimpse in a long time of Natalya and Ernst.  We see for ourselves that Natalya is alive.  She was injured--she walks with a stoop now.  Ernst is with her and we are not certain what that means.  Natalya makes a surprising announcement: “I’m so sorry, Mistress.  They forced me to come here.”

Natalya believes Aksinya is still her Mistress.  She has not rejected her.

Aksinya has now turned her attention to the important issue at hand--how to protect her friends.  She never was interested in defending herself--she only demands the Inquisitor Esposito defend because it will help Natalya, Ernst, and Sister Margarethe.  Herr Mueller doesn't want to answer because he was in the act of rapine when Aksinya stopped him.  The Archinquisitor knows what was going on, he will do everything to prevent the whole truth from coming out.  Plus, in this day and age, for a woman to testify that a man was about to rape her is tantamount to social ostracism and condemnation.  Tomorrow, the trial continues.

A New Novel, Part 247 Punish Me Not Them

8 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 247 Punish Me Not Them

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.  Aksinya is acknowledged as a Russian Princess.  Now the Archinquisitor is pursuing the other charges against Aksinya...

“Yes, you are correct Princess.  Then let the court record read that the Princess Aksinya is guilty of theft and that shall be left to the secular courts.  There are other charges.”

“Then proceed, Archinquisitor.”

“This court wishes to establish your guilt of sorcery.”

“I admit it.  What more is there to say?”

“The proof exists, and I wish to establish it.  The other charges related to this are that you did kidnap and seduce the mind and soul of the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska and that you did seduce the mind and soul of Herr Ernst von Taaffe.”

“I admit those grave sins.  Pronounce your judgment.”

“That is not enough.  This court wishes to establish their guilt in this great sin also.”

Aksinya cried out, “They have no guilt in this at all.  It was all my doing.  Punish me, not them.”

“There is also the question of the school, Sacré Coeur, the Reverend Mother Kluge, Abbot Father Abend, and Sister Margarethe.”

Aksinya half stood, “That is enough.  They are innocent of any wrongdoing.  I am the sorceress.  They knew nothing of my evil deeds.  I will tell you, I called a demon from the pit.  They committed nothing wrong.  It was all my own actions.”

The Archinquisitor stroked his chin, “You called a demon.”  He turned to the inquisitor, “Did you know this Inquisitor Esposito?”

The Inquisitor danced from foot to foot, “She…the Princess confessed this to me.”

“This is also a sin of grave consequence.  Inquisitor, call the first witness to her sorcery.”

Aksinya plopped down in her chair.

We see that Aksinya will not be let off so easily in this trial.  Actually, Aksinya doesn't want to be let off at all.  She intentionally infuriated the Archinquisitor so he would find her guilty and only she would face punishment--that wasn't the intention of Asmodeus or the Archinquisitor. 

Asmodeus told her that all her friends and many others would suffer because of Askinya's sin.  The Archinquisitor is only interested in finding out the wrongdoers--even if they aren't.  No one is innocent in the world.  This is important to remember, but not everyone deserves punishment.  Perhaps Aksinya should be punished, but what of her friends?

Aksinya confesses to everything.  She wants the trial to end.  She wants to be the only focus of it--she knows that cannot be.  You can see from the words of the Archinquisitor who he intends to reveal at this trial--these are oddly those Asmodeus would have targeted.  The Archinquisitor mentions their names: Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska, Herr Ernst von Taaffe, Sacré Coeur, the Reverend Mother Kluge, Abbot Father Abend, and Sister Margarethe.  There are, of course, more.

Aksinya knows exactly what is going on even if the Archinquisitor doesn't.  She plays her trump card: "I called a demon from the pit.  They committed nothing wrong.  It was all my own actions.”  This confession doesn't surprise the Archinquisitor as much as we would have thought.  The Archinquisitor wishes to establish Aksinya's guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt--he should be commended, except by his actions, many more will be found guilty.  Tomorrow, the first witness.

A New Novel, Part 246 There are Other Charges

7 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 246 There are Other Charges

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.  Aksinya is acknowledged as a Russian Princess.  Now the rest of the charges will be made known...

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.”

The Archinquisitor hid his face for a moment.  He stood and stepped off the platform.

The inquisitor bowed toward Aksinya, “Princess Aksinya, may I approach?”

“Please do, Inquisitor.”

Inquisitor Esposito stepped beside her and whispered, “You are not wise to infuriate the Archinquisitor.  You have embarrassed him before his own court.”

Aksinya whispered back to him, “The verdict of this trail is already known.  I simply settled the first point.”

“Yes.”  He stood.

Aksinya waved, “Please proceed.”

The Archinquisitor returned to his papers, “Very well, Princess Aksinya.  We have established your rank.”  He cleared his throat, “The first accusation is therefore moot.  The court acknowledges your right as both a Russian Princess and a Russian Countess.”  He paused just a moment to take a deep breath, “The next charge is that you did commit sorcery and by this sorcery did murder your own family, steal the goods from the estate of Count Golitsyna, cheated merchants in Wien, and escaped Russian justice.”

Aksinya rested her elbow on the arm of the chair and laid her chin on the back of her hand, “I admit to sorcery.  I am guilty of that great sin.  I have confessed it and am forgiven.  I have not paid the price for all the evil I committed because of it.”  The Archinquisitor was about to speak.  Aksinya raised her hand, “I did not murder my family.  I did not steal the goods that already belonged to me.  I did not intentionally cheat the merchants in this city.  I am not certain there is Russian justice.  As a Princess, I am Russian justice.  Do you have any witnesses to any of these charges?”

“To the charge of cheating, there are witnesses, but if you acknowledge them, they are also moot.”

“I will accept that and any secular punishment.  I believe that is well beyond this court.”

“Yes, you are correct Princess.  Then let the court record read that the Princess Aksinya is guilty of theft and that shall be left to the secular courts.  There are other charges.”

Aksinya won a short lived victory, but for the moment, she is in charge and the Archinquisitor can't do anything about it.  The Inqusitor Esposito approaches her and tells Aksinya something she already realizes.  Perhaps the inquisitor is used to stupid nobility.  He states the obvious.  The reason I do this is because it is a trick of the writing so the reader doesn't miss this point.  I don't think my readers are stupid, but this makes the point that has been present through the entire set of events.  Aksinya embarrassed the Archinquisitor.  I don't tell you the results of this, but I want you to realize that it is purposeful and that Aksinya knows the trial is rigged against her.  We all realized this.  I also wanted to show that Aksinya is truly in charge.

The next set of charges are much more serious than the first: sorcery, murder, theft.  Aksinya is not worried about the outcome.  She is poised and thoughtful.  She confesses to sorcery--that is her great crime after all.  She then claims to be innocent of the other charges.  The Archinqusitor turns to the last charge of cheating the merchants of Wien.  This is not really an ecclesiastical charge.  Aksinya and the Archinquisitor agree to move that to the secular trial--I told you before, this would happen.  This is an acknowledgement of it.  From this interaction, we realise that Aksinya is well versed in law--as a Russian Princess, she is law. 

Still, there are the other charges--many of them false and ones that could only be known by the demon.  What we must realize is that Asmodeus purpose in bringing Aksinya to trial is not to condemn her or to bring about her righteous confession (she already confessed and in the court confessed--that should be enough for an inquisitor).  The trial is not about Aksinya--the trial is about all those around her.  This is how the demon will bring about her torment.  Tomorrow, proof of the charges.

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.