A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

23 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  Father Makar agreed.  This is the beginning of chapter 21 and the marriage ceremony...

Inside the Ecclesia, Matushka Ekaterina lit the gas lamps and then the candles.  In the sacristy, the Archpriest, Father Makar donned his robes. He put on each piece with a prayer.  Over his white robe, the sticharion, he put his head through the epitrachelion, his stole, and carefully straightened it.  He placed laced cuffs, the epimanikia, over the sleeves of his sticharion and loosely tied them.  They represented manacles, the chains that bound him into the service of God.  He tied a cloth belt, the zone over the epitrachelion and sticharion.  On his right side he suspended his nabedrennik with a strap that he drew over his left shoulder.  A further diamond-shaped epigonation partially covered the nabedrennik and was also held in place by another strap over his left shoulder.  He intentionally left off the omophorion, but still mouthed its prayer and kissed it.  He bowed his head and placed over his neck the chain of his pectoral cross which was quite fine and his engolpion, a medallion with the icon of Christ in its center.  Over everything, he donned a beautiful silver phelonion that was covered with gold stitching and decorations.  It was large, conical, and sleeveless, with an open front so his hands were free.  At the collar, he buttoned the high varkas that matched his phelonion and at the back rose as high as the top of his head.  Father Makar completed everything with a crossless mitre on his head and a final prayer. 

Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.

You already know the place.  I don't give another description of the Ecclesia, instead, all I need to do is tell you it is the Ecclesia.  It is dark--I don't describe this either.  I show you Ekaterina lighting the candles and lamps.  Then, the rest is about Father Makar preparing for the sacrament.

This is an important metaphor and point.  The first, is that Father Makar is going to all this trouble for his friend.  There may be bad feelings and tension, but Makar still wishes to honor his God and his friend.  The second is all the importance around each piece of the accouterments worn by an Orthodox priest.  I don't tell you all their meanings.  I simply tell you the pieces, their order, and that prayer accompanies each as it goes on.  The importance in this description is that you see how important this is to Makar and incidentally to Ekaterina, Aksinya, and Dobrushin.  This is the element of their belief and their faith.  It is the power of the elements--their symbols and not themselves.

The final sentence simply puts it all together:  Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.  Tomorrow, we begin.

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 242 You are to Sit There, Child

3 June 2011, A New Novel, Part 242 You are to Sit There, Child

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...

In the morning, Frau Becker dressed Aksinya in her thin black dress and brought her breakfast in the room where she had been convalescing.  Just before nine, she led Aksinya to the chapel within the Cardinal’s house.  Aksinya heard the sounds of a crowd outside the building.  She caught a glimpse of men with cameras and writing pads through the windows.  Guards stood at the inner doors.  Inside the chapel was an altar on a slightly raised platform.  Just ahead of the altar sat a bishop’s chair on the platform.  A second smaller chair sat below the platform and about ten feet from the edge of it.  The other seats for spectators where arranged behind this.  They were already filled with many officials of the church.  Aksinya could tell by their robes.  Aksinya recognized the Reverend Mother, the Abbot, and Sister Margarethe near the middle of the crowd.  Some of the higher ranking sisters from the convent, Sacré Coeur, were also there.  Aksinya remembered them from her classes.  A few secular spectators were seated at the back.  Aksinya could tell since they were the only ones without ecclesiastical robes.

Frau Becker led Aksinya to the smaller chair and pointed toward it, “You are to sit there, child.”

As she sat, Aksinya grasped Frau Becker’s hand, “Thank you for your kindness to me.  I shall not forget it.”  She smiled.

Frau Becker covered her face with her free hand, “You are welcome.  I’ve been instructed to help you as you have need.  I’ll sit just behind you.”

“Thank you.”

Frau Becker reluctantly let go of Aksinya’s hand and moved behind her.

We have a transition with scene setting.  First, we dress Aksinya.  She is still wearing her shabby black dress--it is all she has.  Then we set the physical scene.  I let you know, through Frau Becker about the press.  Now, I show them to you.  I give you the time, but not the day.  The description is of the Chapel--that is the location of the trial.  That is where all the action will take place.

Then we see that the Reverend Mother, the Abbot, and Sister Margarethe are all at the trial.  Did you expect to not see them?  They will face another type of trial. 

Frau Becker takes Aksinya to her chair.  She is right at the front below the altar.  Aksinya at the end is kind to Frau Becker.  The Frau has been assigned to look after Aksinya during the trial.  Aksinya is having an affect on some of the people she meets.  Will this do her any good?  Tomorrow, the trial begins.

A New Novel, Part 219 We Will Not Allow You to Escape

11 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 219 We Will Not Allow You to Escape

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

Aksinya is in the street before her house.  The inquisitors and the policeman are fighting over who gets to arrest her.  Aksinya is cold...

Aksinya was trembling.  She shuffled her feet again.

The sergeant noticed.  He stepped closer to her to block her escape.

The Captain nodded, “Good, Sergeant Nagel.”  He turned toward Aksinya, “We will not allow you to escape, Fraulein.  We have been seeking you for a long time.”

Aksinya’s teeth chattered, “I’m not trying to escape.  I am very cold.  Would one of you make up your mind, please?”

 Archinquisitor Gallo sniffed, “This isn’t some kind of game—as you will shortly learn.”

Aksinya wrapped her arms around her body, “Captain Gerber, I surrender myself to you.”  She held out her hands for a moment then quickly pulled them back for warmth.

The Archinquisitor stepped toward Aksinya, “That is not acceptable.  Inquisitor Esposito take the woman into custody.”

The Inquisitor’s German was also strongly accented, “If you please, Fraulein, come with me.”

Aksinya glanced at the Captain.  He returned the papers to the Archinquisitor, “I’m sorry, Fraulein Golitsyna, right now, the church has legitimate and legal claims against you, but in the near future, I will have the opportunity to arrest you again.”

Inquisitor Esposito stepped behind Aksinya and grasped her elbows.  He turned her and marched her toward the waiting coach.  At that moment, the doors to Sacré Coeur opened.  The Reverend Mother ran out.  She was followed closely by Sister Margarethe and Frau Drescher.  The Reverend Mother cried out, “Countess, Countess, we were searching for you.”  The Reverend Mother couldn’t take Aksinya’s hand because the Inquisitor held her arms.  She bent her neck toward Aksinya.

     Archinquisitor Gallo took a deep breath, “Reverend Mother, do not show any respect to this woman.  She is accused of sorcery along with much more evil.  She shall be tried for these crimes.”

Aksinya is freezing.  You do remember how sensitive she is to the cold.  The police sergeant thinks Aksinya is about to run for it.  Listen to the words of the Captain: "We have been seeking you for a long time.”  Wait a second.  Didn't Father Makar tell Aksinya, Father Dobrushin, and Ekaterina that no one was looking for Aksinya.  Is this a trick of Asmodeus or did Father Makar hide the truth from everyone.  If he hid the truth, then he did have some degree of compassion for Aksinya.

You notice, I get some levity into the terrible circumstances--Aksinya demands that one of them make up their mind so she can get to a warmer place.  The Archinquisitor isn't very humorous.  Aksinya makes a very good decision, she surrenders herself to the police.  Look at how I use advanced writing techniques to tell you how cold Aksinya is.  The inquisitors arrest Aksinya and look at the irony, the police will arrest her when the inquisitors are done with her.  We still don't know the charges for the police to arrest her.

As they near the inquisitor's coach, the Reverend Mother, Sister Margarethe, and Frau Drescher come out.  The Reverend Mother adds to our information--they were searching for Aksinya too.  You knew the inquisitors were searching for her.  Everyone was looking for Aksinya.  The Reverend Mother shows respect to Aksinya, and the Archinquisitor warns her.  You can see how this will go.  Tomorrow, what about Natalya?

A New Novel, Part 188 What Shall We Do with Her?

A New Novel, Part 188 What Shall We Do with Her?


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

Aksinya confessed and told the priests and Matushka of the Ecclesia exactly who she was.  This is a problem for them and for her...

Ekaterina returned to the rectory kitchen.


Father Dobrushin glanced up. He asked in Russian, “Is she all right?”

“Obviously in pain and sleeping fitfully, but I don’t think she will awake for a while.”

Father Maker pulled his fingers through his hair, “Dear God what are we going to do about her?”

Father Dobrushin’s face fell into an appearance of serious introspection, “What do you mean Makar?”

“What I mean is that we have an insane girl in there,” he pointed toward the bare bedroom where they placed Aksinya. “She confessed to murder. She is a Russian Countess. Someone will soon come looking for her…”

Ekaterina sat at the table, “What would you have us do, Makaruska? Turn her in to the authorities? Throw her out on the streets?”

“I…I don’t know. What she confessed…can we even believe it—sorcery?”

Ekaterina put her hand on Makar’s, “The crucifix around her neck burned her chest and her clothing. From the looks of the scars, it had been burning her for a long time. It was hot enough to catch her clothing on fire. Whatever caused that was a true miracle.”

“Plus, her hands and arms are scarred everywhere,” Father Dobrushin added

Father Makar pursed his lips, “What does that have to do with anything?”

“When I was in the seminary, my mentor, Father Alexis, introduced me to the church texts that describe sorcery. One of the key identifying features in those who are sorcerers is scars on their hands and many times on other parts of their bodies.”

Father Makar shook his head, “Why is that?”

“Sorcery requires blood for sacrifice. They use knives during the rites to cut their hands or arms.”

“What about the other parts of the body?”

“According to the texts, failed spells result in wounds. Sorcerers can be known by these marks.”

Father Makar sighed, “You know I’ve worked a long time with the insane. Those who cut themselves display similar marks.”

“Sorcerer’s scars are always fully healed.”

“And why is that?”

“The result of successful sorcery is the healing of the wounds.”

“I’m not sure I believe any of this…”

Ekaterina frowned at her husband, “Not even the crucifix?”

Father Makar mumbled, “We still have to decide what to do with her.”

Okay, I love these kinds of scenes.  The main character is carefully out of the way, so now we have the opportunity to show exactly what others might think of her.  The priests and the Matushka sit around their kitchen table and reflect on Aksinya.

Father Dobrushin is concerned about Aksinya.  The Matushka, Ekaterina likewise.  Father Makar is concerned with what they should do with Aksinya.  The archpriest has a problem on his hands.  He doesn't believe in her sorcery.  He thinks she is insane.  He imagines quite rightly that an insane countess in the Russian community could be a very bad problem for him.  Additionally, Aksinya claimed to murder.  Someone will come looking...

Ekaterina grounds him with her words.  What would you have us do, and that brings up Father Makar's great fear--sorcery.  Ekaterina points out the indisputable--the crucifix was burning Aksinya and her clothing.  Still Father Makar doesn't want to believe it.  Father Dobrushin adds to their knowledge.  Aksinya's hands and arms are scarred everywhere.  Now, I give you some esoteric information about sorcerers.  You knew this already from Aksinya's lips, but the proof is doubled by coming from Father Dobrushin.  Father Alexis is a reference to the future patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church.  He is a character in one of my other novels, so it was fun to introduce him here as the mentor to Father Dobrushin.

Father Makar gives his own impression of Aksinya's cutting.  She is showing the typical behavior of the insane.  Father Dobrushin points out the fact that sorcerer scars are always fully healed.  Still Makar doesn't believe any of it.  Not even when Ekaterina points out the burning crucifix again.  He goes back to his singular point: “We still have to decide what to do with her.”  Tomorrow, More about what to do about Aksinya.

A New Novel, Part 186 You Must Be in Your Right Mind to Confess

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 Father Dobrushin carries Aksinya into the Ecclesia, she vomits and can't stop. The cross burns her. In spite of her pain, she demands to be confessed...

Aksinya croaked out, “Not ill. It is the evil in me.” She opened her eyes and tugged at his cassock, “You must confess me.”

He sighed again, “I will confess you, but you must be able to speak. You must be in your right mind.”

“I beg you. Let me kneel at the altar. I will tell everything to you.”

“To God.”

“God will not listen to me anymore. I forsook Him. But you will do.”

Father Dobrushin made a sound that was a cross between a sob and a laugh.

“Don’t mock me. You can’t know.”

“I don’t know until you tell me. I will listen to you. Are you well enough that I can carry you again?”

Aksinya nodded, but the nausea still filled her body and the taste and smell of vomit in her mouth only made it worse.

Father Dobrushin lifted her again. Aksinya swallowed and fought down the desire to retch. The crucifix still burned against her skin. Father Dobrushin placed her on her knees and held her hands. She would have fallen on her face otherwise.

Aksinya pulled one hand from Father Dobrushin’s and made the sign of the cross. She gave a cry. Father Dobrushin grasped her hand again before she could topple over. Aksinya began: “I confess to God the Father Almighty,” She gagged slightly then rushed through the words, “and to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, in the presence of Virgin Mary and all angels, prophets, seventy-two emissaries, twelve apostles and four evangelists, and confess in the faith of the three holy synods of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus, trusting in the honorable priestly authority conferred upon you, Father Dobrushin, by which you bind and retain sins.” Aksinya paused and took a shallow breath, “I have sinned in thought, word and deed. I repent my sins. You are the master, and I am the servant. Accept me as the prodigal son. I have sinned against heaven and against you. I believe that you have authority to bind and retain sins and that you are the mediator between God and me. And I pray that you deliver me from all my sins by your priestly authority that I may obtain forgiveness. I pray that you remember me before God, in your prayers and in the holy Qurbono. Amen.” Aksinya began to tremble and the crucifix over her heart felt as though it was on fire.

Aksinya has a serious problem. Her problem will not be solved with a confession, and she knows this. It is, however, a potential beginning. Father Dobrushin repeats Father Makar's warning. He isn't certain either whether Aksinya is sane or well. Do you see how I set all this up for you and for Aksinya? You and she were blindly moving along with the idea that the demon was real and that everything was real. Perhaps it is and perhaps it isn't. How will this play out in Buffalo? Only Aksinya can see the demon, Asmodeus, as he really is. He can hide his voice and his shape. Like I said, how do you think this will play with others in the real world, because we have moved to a more real world? In some ways, the world before this was a dream world. It is a world where all of Aksinya's desires were coming real. She had people who loved and respected her. She had a friend. She had her sorcery and her books of sorcery. She had her house and her family's possessions. Aksinya has moved into the real world--could it be that all these things she had were just like tissue paper in rain? The rain is falling now.

What will Aksinya's experiences seem like to these people? Aksinya has no idea yet what could happen or what her confession might sound like to them. She is warned. Still, she begs to confess.

Father Dobrushin tells Aksinya to confess to God. Of course this is right, but Aksinya doesn't believe God will listen to her anymore. She forsook God. Listen to her words: "But you will do.” Father Dobrushin's reaction makes the point more exact. He realizes how far Aksinya has fallen. He doesn't mock her as Aksinya thinks; he is so filled with sadness for her, he can't hold back his emotions. He remains strong and helpful to her anyway. He holds her at the altar so she can confess. He is a gentle man.

Watch as Aksinya begins her confession. First the sign of the cross. That pains her more. I don't tell you this, I show you this through her cry and again Father Dobrushin holds her up.


Since I do a lot of historical writing, I love to place historical accuracy in my novels. Here, I have an English translation of a turn of the century Orthodox confessional prayer. Aksinya has memorized this, of course, since childhood. The point is a historical marker to the times and for the place. This is not the confession; it is the predecessor to a confession. Thus, at the end: Aksinya began to tremble and the crucifix over her heart felt as though it was on fire. Tomorrow, the confession.

A New Novel, Part 184 Confess 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 beat Natalya until she was bloody and motionless and ran out of her house.  She ran through the streets of Wien until she could not run any further, and she falls before a door.  The door opens...

The darkness enveloped her and she fell again. The cold ground was hard against her burning cheeks. She lay there panting for a long time. Then before her, a door creaked open. Light streamed through the opening. Aksinya raised her face from the cobbles. A voice called out in the darkness, “Who’s there? Who is it?”


Aksinya thought she recognized the voice. She couldn’t immediately place where she had heard it. She squinted into the light, but she couldn’t make out anything except a dark silhouette. Without much thought, without much more than a whisper, Aksinya cried out, “Save me. Please save me. I’ve nothing left. I’m dead to everything.”

A step came next to her ear. Someone knelt beside her. The voice came to her again, “Who is it?”

“Aksinya. It is Aksinya.”

A hand grasped her arms and lifted her up, “Are you alright, Countess?”

Aksinya didn’t answer.

Another voice came from the doorway, “Father Dobrushin, what is it?”

“I think it is the Countess Golitsyna.”

“Here? At this time of night? Do you need help?”

“No, Father Makar, she isn’t heavy.”

Aksinya felt herself lifted from the ground. Father Dobrushin held her close and carried her through the open doorway. Aksinya heard the door shut behind them.

Someone touched her face and felt her forehead. The hand was soft and gentle, it brushed the hair away from her face. A woman’s voice this time, “Is she ill? I don’t think she has a fever.”

Aksinya couldn’t speak properly. Her voice was rough and torn, “Father, father, please confess me. I must confess, for I am guilty of much evil.”

The woman’s voice chuckled, “Confess you, Countess. Let us take you back to your house.”

“I have murdered. I can’t go back there. They will be coming for me soon, and I must confess now before it is too late.”

“Murdered?”

Aksinya’s eyes flashed open. The light was too bright and she closed them again. She panted still in a hoarse whisper, “I am a murderer. I must confess.” She held out her hands.

“They are covered with blood…”

Now you know, Aksinya's steps took her straight to the Ecclesia, the Orthodox church in Wien.  If you remember, I told you, the Ecclesia was a ways straight down the street where Aksinya lived and Sacré Coeur is.  I set this up from almost the beginning.  If you remember, the Freiherr and Freifrau took Aksinya and Natalya to the Ecclesia.  You have been there with them at least 4 or 5 times.  You know they went there regularly.  I introduced the two priests and the wife of the archpriest to you.  You know they are Father Makar, Father Dobrushin, and Matushka Ekaterina.  The reason I so carefully and painstakingly brought in this place and these characters was for just this moment.  This is how you develop and set up such a situation so it is not cliched or a deus ex machina.  The trick is to place, populate, and familiarize your readers well before hand.  If Aksinya rushed out of her house and ran through the streets to the only Orthodox church in Wien, some of you might buy that, but I hope not.  On the other hand, if the enraged, grieving, and obviously guilty Aksinya rushes straight down the street to a place she has been many times before and happens to arrive at exactly the place she needs to be, that is almost expected.  It certainly isn't surprising.  It is artistry instead of accident.  That's the point, in your writing, few if anything can appear as if it is an accident.
 
So, from yesterday,m we have this delightful metaphor about darkness.  The darkness, the door, the opening of it, the light from it.  These are all metaphor and analogy.  Their import should be obvious.  Aksinya is seeking.  Someone has found her.
 
Aksinya thinks she recognizes the voice.  This is to produce excitement and tension in the reader.  As of yet, we don't know where Aksinya is, and she doesn't know either.  This is an example of not knowing anymore than the main character.  Listen to Aksinya's words.  She hasn't practiced them.  They come from the depths of her soul.  Isn't this the words you knew she would say?  Listen again:  “Save me. Please save me. I’ve nothing left. I’m dead to everything.”
 
The person who called out to her comes to Aksinya's side.  He asks her who she is, and her reply is simple.  The person immediately recognizes her.  Aksinya doesn't answer because this is completely surprising to her.  She came here, but she didn't expect to arrive here.  Then we find out where Aksinya is--where else could there be a Father Dobrushin? 
 
Then we can identify Father Makar.  Notice, nowhere do I tell you they are at the Ecclesia in Wien.  Isn't that tricky?  I make an entire setting in place without telling you where you are.  I'm happy to share this writing technique.
 
At the same time we and Aksinya are learning where we are, the priests are discovering who is at their doorstep.  Already Father Dobrushin has lifted Aksinya.  I tell you that, but Father Dobrushin's response tells you more "She's light."  Then the father lifts her in his arms.  I don't tell you how, but you know he lifted her into his arms and held her close as he carried her into the building.  All this time, I'm trying to let you sense the world through Aksinya's experience.  Her eyes are closed.  All these events are happening around her and to her.
 
Next someone very gently touches her face and forehead.  You know Ekaterina is checking for fever--just like a mother.  I don't need to tell you this, it is obvious from the context and then the dialog shows you.
 
When Aksinya knows where she is and who is with her, she croaks through her injured throat: “Father, father, please confess me. I must confess, for I am guilty of much evil.”  Is this so unexpected?  We know Aksinya wanted to confess since she came to Wien.  Do you remember the demon?  He told her not to confess.  Ekaterina makes light of it.  She can't imagine what Aksinya might wish to confess.  Isn't that like many people?  They have a great need to confess, but when they finally can, their friends try to tell them there is no need.  But we know Aksinya has a great need to confess. 
 
The unbelievable (to the priests and Ekaterina) comes out of Aksinya's lips.  We know what she has been through and what she has done.  They don't have any idea.  Aksinya reaches out, and Ekaterina sees the blood on Aksinya's hands.  This is an important metaphor--there is blood on Aksinya's hands.  It happens to literally be on her hands right now.  We continue in the Ecclesia tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 94 Father Dobrushin

At the Ecclesia, we meet three very critical characters.  This meeting is a foreshadowing and a key point in the plot and theme.  I begin with the introduction of Father Makar.

At the end of the service, the Freiherr introduced the Priests to her, “Father Makar.” The Freiherr stumbled over the simple Russian pronunciation. Father Makar was a short man with a very calm face. His smile pressed through his full beard and even touched Aksinya’s heart. The Freiherr continued, “This is the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.”


Father Makar put his hands together, “We heard that you were in the city, Countess. We are very pleased to greet you in our Ecclesia.”

Aksinya held her handkerchief before her lips. The crucifix burned against her chest, “Good day, Father.”

“Are you all right, Countess? You seem a little pale.”

“I did not get much sleep last night. I am well enough, thank you.”

“Then please let me introduce my wife, the Matushka Ekaterina.” He pointed at a woman who was a little shorter than he. Her features were as pleasant as his. Her face was round and her eyes large. She gave an impression of youth, but her hair was gray and she wasn’t more than a decade younger than Father Makar.

Matushka Ekaterina’s voice was gentle. She took Aksinya’s hand and curtsied, “Good day, Countess. I hope to make your further acquaintance.”

Aksinya couldn’t imagine a person she would less like to be close to, but she simply nodded.

Father Makar waved the other priest over to them. He was young and tall. His hair was not gray and his face unwrinkled. He appeared not more than thirty, but that was difficult to tell since he wore a priest’s typical beard. The beard was a little less than full, but it seemed to fit his face. His face was fine boned and gentle. At that moment, his features did not appear very pleasant to Aksinya. His mouth was set in a severe frown. He gazed at Aksinya with unconcealed concern. Father Makar still smiled, “This, Countess, is Father Dobrushin. Countess, don’t let Father Dobrushin’s demeanor bother you. He is young and still too solemn…”

Aksinya spoke from behind her handkerchief, “He does not hate me because I am a member of the aristocracy, does he?”

Father Dobrushin tried to smile, “I’m sorry for my appearance, Countess. I do support our Russian nobility, but I felt that you were not comfortable here and that concerned me.”

“Not comfortable?” Father Makar gave Aksinya a second appraisal. “Father Dobrushin is usually very sensitive about theses things. Are you certain, Countess, that you are well?”

Aksinya could not smile, “Don’t concern yourself about me. I am well and comfortable,” she lied. “I will feel better when I have dined. If you will excuse me?”

The priests bowed and the Matushka curtsied.

Father Makar seems to be a pleasant person.  We will learn later, he is an archpriest in the Orthodox church.  Is is not a bad man or a bad priest.  He has obviously built up a wealthy Ecclesia.  He is gentle and impresses Aksinya at least so she has no negative opinion.  Aksinya's problem is her nausea and her crucifix that burns her chest.  This is obviously in reaction to the Ecclesia. 
 
Father Makar notices Aksinya's distress.  He doesn't understand it.  Aksinya lies about what disturbs her.  Father Makar introduces his wife.  The wife of an Orthodox priest is called a Matushka.  A Matushka helps her husband in the work of the Ecclesia.  She is expected to help the priest especially with the women of the congregation.  The Matushka Ekaterina is a nice woman.  Aksinya can't stand her because he is gentle, personable, and mature.  Note, these are all the characteristics of Natalya.  The are the characteristics Aksinya didn't like about Natalya to begin with.  They are the characteristics that Aksinya claimed not to have.
 
Then we meet Father Dobrushin.  Father Dobrushin is young.  He notices Aksinya has some problem.  He is sensitive, as Father Makar noted.  Aksinya's answer is defensive and insensitive.  She asks the obvious question you would expect from this time.  A person who frowns at a Countess might be a Bolshevik.  That wasn't the reason Father Dobrushin frowned.
 
Father Makar trusts Father Dobrushin's judgements--at least right now.  Aksinya lies again.  In this short series of introductions, we see the two priests and the Matushka.  The Father Dobrushin is sensitive and interested in Aksinya.  Father Makar is concerned but breezy.  We needed to meet them all.
 

A New Novel, Part 93 The Ecclesia in Wien

This section is critical to the entire storyline, plot, and theme.  This is the introduction of the Orthodox church in Wien, the Ecclesia.  We get a description followed by an introduction.  An even more important introduction will happen tomorrow.

Aksinya’s uncle and aunt took them to an Orthodox church on Sunday morning. It was the Orthodox Ecclesia close to Sacré Coeur and her house. The Ecclesia was in an old building that had not begun as a church at all. The exterior was dark aged stone. It was a low building with a roof that shot upwards in a graceful arch that lifted to a high Saxon styled point near the back. The interior was very luxurious but filled with items that were obviously not part of the original building or of the same style. The pieces appeared as though they had come from many different places, but they were all beautiful. The font was silver and the communion patens and cups gold. The large cross at the back was a wonderful sculpture with gold and silver highlights. The icons were the most perfect ones Aksinya had ever seen, and she had seen many. Natalya stared in awe. They were a little late and sat at the back. An older priest, a young priest, and a deacon took care of the very long communion service. It was in Greek and Russian and exactly what Aksinya and Natalya were used to.


The moment Aksinya entered the church, the Ecclesia, she felt nauseous. She had to avert her eyes from the crucifixes and crosses. Her mother’s crucifix next to her skin burned her. She was miserable. It was the worse since she went first to the chapel. Natalya clasped Aksinya’s hand the entire time. When they went forward for communion, Natalya held a handkerchief for Aksinya. She almost vomited when she was given the mixture of bread and wine. She held it down only by sheer willpower. Still, Aksinya was happy with herself. She would fight the demon in this small way. She would regain some control over her life. She promised herself, she would not be dragged again and again into sin. She would do this.

At the end of the service, the Freiherr introduced the Priests to her, “Father Makar.” The Freiherr stumbled over the simple Russian pronunciation. Father Makar was a short man with a very calm face. His smile pressed through his full beard and even touched Aksinya’s heart. The Freiherr continued, “This is the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.”

Father Makar put his hands together, “We heard that you were in the city, Countess. We are very pleased to greet you in our Ecclesia.”

As Aksinya's aunt and uncle promised, they take her to the Orthodox church in Wien.  I showed you the building and indicated how wealthy the congregation is.  You can guess why it is so wealthy.  The congregation is made up of the wealthy who early have escaped the fighting in Russia.
 
Aksinya's reaction to the Ecclesia is important too.  It isn't much different than her reaction to the Catholic chapel.  I'm not trying to draw lines between or compare the Catholic and Orthodox churches, in fact, you will find they are broadly equal in their goodness and badness in this novel.  Aksinya's problem isn't a problem of denomination, but a problem with God.
 
We meet Father Makar.  We will learn more about him tomorrow.