A New Novel, Part 296 The Betrothal is Complete

27 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 296 The Betrothal is Complete

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The betrothal is first...

Dobrushin announced, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Lord our God, you journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water you revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of your servants Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from you. For it was you who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to your inheritance and your promise to your servants, our fathers, your elect in every generation, look on your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love. For it is you, Lord, who declared that times a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’. It was your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and by your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For you are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

They said, “Amen.”

Father Makar announced, “The betrothal is complete.  Now we can begin the crowning and marriage.”  He continued, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

The entire betrothal and marriage is a metaphor for this entire novel.  Do not forget that Aksinya and the demon are contracted.  Aksinya has declared her new allegiance, but she is still bound to the demon.  A marriage is a contract, a covenant.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are making a contract and the rings are their surety.  The rings represent themselves.  They are betrothed.

This is a metaphor through the entire novel, that is, marriage is the picture of Aksinya's relationship with the demon, with Dobrushin, with Christ, and with God.  The imagery of Rebbecca and Issac continues.

The imagery of the rings is brought out in the prayer.  Then the betrothal is complete and the marriage begins.  This begins with the preface prayer.  Tomorrow, the marriage continues.

A New Novel, Part 295 Peace to All

26 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 295 Peace to All

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.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony...

Father Makar, “For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

Ekaterina, Dobrushin, and Aksinya answered, “Amen.”

Dobrushin bowed his head, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Eternal God, who brought into unity what had been separated and establish an unbreakable bond of agreement; who blessed Isaac and Rebecca, and declared them to be the heirs of your promise; bless these servants of yours also, guiding them in every good work.  Because you, O God, are merciful and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

The others answered, “Amen.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Matushka Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin stated, “Bow your heads to the Lord.”

Matushka Ekaterina answered, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar prayed, “Lord, our God, who once betrothed yourself to the Church from the nations as a pure virgin, bless this betrothal, and unite and preserve these servants of yours in peace and concord.  For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

They all replied, “Amen.”

Father Makar approached the altar.  The rings sat beside a golden dish near the center of the Holy Table.  The gold ring was on the left and the silver ring on the right.  They touched one another.  Also on the table were two crowns, one golden and one silver and a golden cup.  Father Makar placed the rings on the dish and turned first to Dobrushin.  He took the gold ring and with it made the sign of the cross three times on Dobrushin’s forehead, “The servant of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin betroths himself to the servant of God Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  Father Makar took the silver ring and with it made the sign of the cross three times on Aksinya’s forehead, “The servant of God Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna betroths herself to the servant of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He then placed the rings on their right fingers.

With a smile, Matushka Ekaterina exchanged the rings between Aksinya and Dobrushin.

Father Makar completes the prayers.  If you look carefully at them, they provide themselves a metaphor to everything that has been happening in the novel.  First Rebecka and Issac then God to the church.  These precede the betrothal through the giving of the rings. 

The rings are symbols of perfection and eternity.  They are gold and silver.  The woman wears the golden ring representing the husband's dedication, and the man wears the silver ring that represents the wife's dedication.  The rings are placed on the right and opposite person's fingers.  They are then exchanged to the proper person's right hand ring fingers.  The wedding band on the left hand is an American trait and not a European or orthodox tradition.

A New Novel, Part 160 I'm Drunk

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.



Ernst von Taaffe asked Aksinya to marry him--she didn't answer him right away.  Natalya, Aksinya's chaperone, drags her back to the ballroom and the party...

They both returned to the ballroom. Until they entered the rooms Graf von Taaffe’s servants provided them, Natalya did not speak to Aksinya again that evening. She stuck close to Aksinya for the rest of the event. After Ernst rejoined the party, he did not let Aksinya out of his sight. Natalya watched Ernst with frosty eyes.

Aksinya sat beside the large fireplace closest to the dining room and outside the draft that blew constantly through the long room. She drank and stewed. She would not engage anyone in conversation for very long, but that didn’t matter, the party was winding down and the couples were primarily interested in dancing.

Near midnight, Graf von Taaffe stepped to Aksinya’s side, “Countess, would you honor me with this dance?”

“Why not?” Aksinya’s words were only a little slurred. Her Russian accent cut through the German. Aksinya had feigned weariness to fend off the other invitations she received that evening. She wished Ernst would ask her to dance again. She knew she could not beg off this offer from her host. She stood a little shakily.

The Graf took her hand in his and placed his arm around her back. He led her into the waltz, “I didn’t notice your Russian accent before, Countess.”

Aksinya tried unsuccessfully to pronounce her German words as she usually did, “I was not drunk before.”

“Drunk? You seem very steady on your feet for being drunk.”

“I’m used to it. I’m sorry, I should have said, I had drunk too much wine before and not that I was drunk.”

The Graf smiled, “I have happy news for you. I hoped you had as happy news for me.”

“I’m drunk.”

His smile slipped a little, “Yes, I understand.  I didn't see the ring on your finger.  Then your answer to my son was not an affirmative?”

“I have not given him my answer yet.”

Aksinya and Natalya return to the ballroom.  Natalya is obviously very angry.  We are not certain what or who her anger is directed toward.  There is a hint, Natalya watched Ernst with frosty eyes.  Ernst has made Natalya angry, but she seemed angry at Aksinya before.  Just what is bothering her...we shall see eventually.
 
Aksinya finds a warm place.  She is given the most comfortable space in the room.  This was likely the place reserved for the lady of the house.  She drank and stewed.  Aksinya isn't happy either.  So, Ernst isn't happy. Natalya isn't happy.  Aksinya isn't happy.  Is anyone happy?  Aksinya certainly isn't a very pleasant guest either, but we didn't expect her to be--she is a countess.
 
Fortunately, the Graf comes to rescue Aksinya; he asks her to dance.  Aksinya is drunk.  She is so drunk she can't pronounce her German properly.  We find that she wanted to dance with Ernst again, but Ernst was put off by Natalya--not Aksinya.  Aksinya could not turn down an invitation to dance from her host.  She is shaky--she's drunk.
 
The Graf apparently doesn't notice Aksinya is drunk.  His first words: “I didn’t notice your Russian accent before.”  Can you imagine this.  She tries to speak properly.  We aren't certain of her success, but she is out drunk and truth telling Aksinya by this point.  The Graf can't believe she is drunk.  He doesn't seem surprised or upset.  Aksinya makes the situation worse from one standpoint.  Only those who drink a lot can handle alcohol so well.  She tries to correct herself, but she isn't very successful. 
 
The Graf gets to his point: “I have happy news for you. I hoped you had as happy news for me.”  As to the Graf's news, you might guess it, we shall see it tomorrow.  You know the news he wishes to hear from Aksinya.  Her answer is perfect in perspective: “I’m drunk.”   The reason she is drunk, she implies, is the reason she can't give the Graf a happy answer.  The happy answer he expected, of course, was the Aksinya had accepted the ring and Ernst's proposal. 
 
This whole party was put together by the Graf so Ernst could propose.  He brought together his most important friends and retainers just for this very purpose.  Now, the Graf isn't happy either.  But there is still hope--Aksinya hasn't given her answer yet.  Tomorrow, the Graf's happy news.

A New Novel, Part 159 Kiss Me Again

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.



Ernst kissed Aksinya and confessed his love.  He wants to give her an engagement ring and for her to accept his proposal of marriage.  Aksinya doesn't know what to answer him.  She wants to know if Asmodeus has been encouraging Ernst...


Aksinya stared out into the darkness and whispered, “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” She spoke more loudly, “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”


“Your courtier? I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“Have you been engaging in sorcery?”

Ernst put up his hand, “Not since I met you. I realized then, I could not achieve any of it. I told you already, I don’t have the skills or the power to do it. I want to give you this ring.”

Aksinya raised her eyes to his, “I’m not sure of what I will answer to you. I’m not certain if I love you.”

“Isn’t it enough if I love you? I swear I will give you everything in my power.”

Aksinya cried, “Do not swear. Do not swear anything to me. Don’t use those words around me. Don’t you realize how dangerous that is?”

“Dangerous to swear what I am truly willing to do? I do swear it. I swear to Aksinya that I love her, will do anything I can for her, and will marry her.”

Aksinya pressed her hands over her ears, “Don’t swear. It is enough to say you will do it, but do not swear it.”

“Will you accept my ring?”

“I cannot—not yet.”

“Will you accept my love?”

“I must think on this—it is too difficult for me to decide right now. My mind is in turmoil.”

“Will you allow me to continue to court you?”

Aksinya sighed, “Will you kiss me again?”

“I will, but only if the Lady Natalya will not scream.”

Aksinya turned a little toward Natalya, “Lady Natalya, I wish to allow Ernst to kiss me again. Will you please let him?”

“Kiss him? You should hit him.”

“I wish to kiss him. Please allow me. I shall not ask for more than one tonight, but I would like to kiss him once more.”

Natalya’s anger was evident on her face, “I shall turn around for ten seconds. By the time I have counted to ten, I expect you to be at my side. If you are not, I shall certainly yell for your aunt and uncle.”

“Thank you, Lady Natalya.” Aksinya didn’t wait to see if Natalya turned, she ran to Ernst and put her arms around his neck. She clumsily brought her lips to his and lingered there in a measured kiss. He put his arms around her and held her tightly. They parted at eight seconds and Aksinya ran to Natalya’s side. Natalya noted Aksinya beside her with an impatient nod and began walking. Aksinya glanced back at Ernst. His eyes lingered on her. They did not leave her the entire time until she lost sight of him when she exited the parlor.

The most important question for Aksinya is the part Asmodeus has played in Ernst's confession and proposal.  You know why this is so important to her.  She realizes that Asmodeus has been setting her up to accomplish evil--that is his purpose.  In every case, in every thing that has happened since Aksinya called the demon, he has tempted or manipulated her to evil.  Even when she succeeded in thwarting him, Aksinya still ended up doing the demon's ultimate will.  She hopes this is not the case now.  We know how this situation must work out, but we are waiting for the other shoe to drop.  We hope Aksinya can find happiness with Ernst.  We hope everything can work out well for her and for him.  We can hope...
 
Aksinya knows.  She tells us and herself, this is a temptation.  Still, she is reassured by Ernst's reply--he hasn't seen Asmodeus in a while.  She asks about sorcery--he hasn't been attempting it.  His reaction to a person who has mastered such a skill is reasonable--he has given it up.  He still wants to give (tempt) her with the ring.
 
Aksinya can only tell the truth at this moment.  There is no reason for her to lie.  She isn't certain if she loves Ernst.  Ernst is lovestruck.  His answer is the one sided loves eternal answer--isn't it enough that I love you.  He then swears.  That is a mistake.  Aksinya tries to prevent him from continuing, but Ernst doesn't understand.  He swears to her.  Do you remember, the demon always attempts to illicit a promise.  To swear is to make a contract.  That would be okay with anyone else in the world, but around Aksinya, spiritual forces battle (or perhaps the forces of evil dominate).  To swear around Aksinya is tantamount to a red flag in front of a bull.  Remember each of the promises made in this novel.  Remember everything that was sworn.  They will not stand--they cannot stand.
 
Aksinya realizes all this, but she won't give up hope.  She won't give up hope because she is tempted and she has great desire.  She wants Ernst to love her and to give her luxuria.  She really would like to love someone.  She would like to indulge her desires.  But...she is afraid to do any of that because she knows the demon is behind everything.  Thus, her answer: “Will you kiss me again?”  Aksinya wants to indulge in her desire.  She thinks she can get away with this luxuria, with this small indulgence.
 
Aksinya asks Natalya if she may kiss Ernst again.  Listen to Natalya's response.  The power is in the hands of Natalya now.  For some reason, the control has shifted to Natalya, and her animosity is obvious.  We would have expected Natalya to applaud Aksinya's courting, but at this moment, for some reason, Natalya is bothered by it.  In spite of her discomfort and her anger, Natalya allows Aksinya to indulge herself in this temptation.
 
Aksinya kisses Ernst, and she and Natalya exit the parlor together.  The lovelorn Ernst watches Aksinya until she is out of sight.  Tomorrow, the Graf gets involved.

A New Novel, Part 158 This is a Temptation to 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.

Ernst professed his love to Aksinya and kissed her.  Natalya busted up the clinch and now they are in their respective corners.  Fighting isn't really what either of them have in mind...

Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya hastily moved to the other end of the balcony. They waited for Natalya to return to her seat.

Aksinya bent forward a little toward Ernst. She whispered and tried to get her voice to carry to him, “You…you kissed me.”

Ernst kept his voice low, “I have wanted to kiss you for a long time.”

She touched her lips, “Why?”

“Because I love you.”

“What will you gain by loving me?”

Ernst smiled, “I desire you. That is all. I love you. Do you love me?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Then I’m sorry I was so forward, but I’m not sorry I kissed you. I would hope to continue to woo you. I want you to marry me.” He pulled out a small box from his coat pockets, “I have a ring for you. I would like to give it to you tonight.”

“For me? Then you are serious?”

“Why would you think I wasn’t serious?”

“What about your father, and his wish for you to join his business?”

“I told him tonight that I would join the firm. I made arrangements with him to begin to work the following Monday. I will still be able to escort you to dinner and the opera on Wednesday. Didn’t you understand me? Even if you will not make up your mind tonight, I will continue to see you and entertain you. I will pursue you until your answer is yes. You have no other suitors?”

Aksinya shook her head.

“You don’t have another lover?”

Aksinya shook her head.

Ernst’s voice softened, “Then there are no others ahead of me. I have no competition.”

“But I have never imagined someone loving me before.”

Ernst shook his head, “Why should a man not love you. You are beautiful and intelligent. Your deportment and social skills are excellent. You enjoy all the past times I enjoy. Why should I not want to share my life with you?”

Aksinya stared out into the darkness and whispered, “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” She spoke more loudly, “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”

We find out just how clueless about everything Aksinya is.  Aksinya wonders why Ernst would kiss her.  Remember, she thinks she is ugly.  She has resolved herself to this for her entire life.  She can't imagine that any of her other features might make a man desire her, but we realize Aksinya is desirable for many reasons.  She is astounded that Ernst would kiss her, so she asks why.  His answer is just like we expect from Ernst, straightforward: "I love you."  Let me point out that I use a lot of advanced writing techniques in this small exchange.  Just one example is Aksinya's gesture--she touches her lips.  This tells you a lot about her thinking and her wonder at what happened.
 
The main point, however, is Aksinya's response to Ernst: “What will you gain by loving me?”  Remember Natalya's comment before--why does love have to be a contract with you (Aksinya).  Aksinya can't imagine love without some contract or gain.  Ernst offers her love; she wonders what he really wants.  They could go around and around like this forever.  Ernst really can't answer her question.  He mixes love and desire.  That would be a mistake usually, but he is talking to Aksinya.  To Aksinya, love and desire go hand in hand.  Even though she learned from Sister Margarethe that you don't have to have desire to have love--she doesn't fully understand it.  When Ernst asks Aksinya if she loves him, she can only answer truthfully: “I…I don’t know.”
 
Ernst was expecting her to say "yes."  His response shows this.  He is tempting her, and he brings out his next temptation--luxuria.  It is a ring, an engagement ring.  This is something dear to any girl and especially dear to Aksinya.  She loves luxuria more than anything.  If she had ever thought someone might want to marry her, she might have thought marriage desirable.  This is completely ironic, because Ernst is willing to give Aksinya luxuria to prove his love, then she accepts him as being absolutely serious.
 
Ernst adds another temptation to her.  It was drug out by Aksinya's question.  Ernst has bowed to his father's desires and will go to work for him.  He will join the family business.  Aksinya drove Ernst to this.  Ernst has changed entirely for Aksinya.  Can you guess the joy of Ernst's father.  Ernst will become a dour Ernst for Aksinya.  These are not cast off statements.  The power of the change from the happy-go-lucky Ernst to the serious Ernst is an amazing change, and it is all due to the thoughtless statements of Aksinya. 
 
Remember during the Opera of Mozart's Magic Flute, Aksinya's taunting of Ernst about her other suitor.  Ernst wants to make certain.  He asks about other suitors.  He asks about other lovers.  Notice, Aksinya doesn't really answer. She only shakes her head.  We know there is a problem that stands in the way and that problem is a demon who has made a claim on Aksinya.  I won't tell you now, but what do you think in terms of the demon's claim.  Ernst draws the wrong conclusion, and Aksinya lets him do it.  There is a small problem between them and that is Asmodeus.  Aksinya doesn't love Ernst, but she wants Ernst.  She can't answer truthfully about the demon.  She doesn't want to drive Ernst away. 
 
Look at her response: “But I have never imagined someone loving me before.” This statement is the absolute truth.  In Aksinya's mind, no one really ever loved her (not even Natalya), but she obvoiusly doesn't understand love.  Then from Ernst's heartfelt response about why someone might love Aksinya, we get her realization: “This is a temptation to me. It is surely a temptation.” Everything is a temptation for her.  Everything is a carefully orchestrated temptation.  We should never forget this and Aksinya should never forget this.  Still, we want everything to be a French comedy and not a Russian tragedy.  Aksinya wants to imagine her life is her own and not plyable clay in the hands of a demon.  She asks the most important question yet: “Did Anatov Aznabaev put you up to this?”  Tomorrow, Ernst answers this question and we learn more about what has been going on around Aksinya.