A New Novel, Part 323 The First of Many

23 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 323 The First of Many
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.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are in Boston, and Aksinya has come to an Orthodox girl's school looking for a job.  The headmistress recognises Aksinya and embraces her... 

The woman before her gave a cry, “Princess Aksinya.”  She rushed around the desk and embraced her. 

Aksinya couldn’t get her breath she couldn’t speak.  Finally, she threw her arms around the headmistress and exclaimed, “Lady Natalya.”

Natalya buried her face in Aksinya’s thick braided hair and blubbered.  They stood together for a long time without saying anything.  Finally, Natalya spoke, “I thought I would never see you again, Princess.”

Aksinya kissed her cheeks, “Dear Lady Natalya, I would never have guessed I would find you here.  Is Herr von Taaffe with you?”

Natalya gave a laugh, “I am Mrs. Natalya Alexandrovna von Taaffe, though not called a Lady anymore.  And you?”

“Father Dobrushin married me although he is not a priest anymore, and I am no longer a Princess.”

Natalya’s moist eyes held Aksinya’s, “You will always be a Princess.  My lady’s maid told me you were looking for a job.”

“Please, Lady Natalya, I’m certain you would not wish to have me around you all the time.  I know I will bring back terrible memories to you.”

“You don’t understand at all Princess.  You are the reason I am here today.  Wait with me for a while.  Let me hear all that has happened to you since we parted, then we will have luncheon with Sister Margarethe, and we will discuss your teaching work in my school.”

“Sister Margarethe is also here?”

“Herr von Taaffe retained her as our housekeeper.  She converted to Russian Orthodox and entered an order in the United States.  Our school is loosely affiliated with Saint John’s.”  Natalya held Aksinya at arms length and looked her over, “Dear friend, we have so much to talk about and so much to share.  I do love you, Princess.  I want you to remain with us forever.”

“In spite of everything that happened?”

“Because of everything that happened before.  That time marked the end of a horrible and wonderful period, yet redemption came to you, to me.”  She held Aksinya close, “I could not bear to lose you again, Aksinya.  You redeemed me, the first of many.  You shall redeem many more.  God exceeded our expectations in spite of what we had done.”     

- The End -

This novel was all about loss and what people are willing to give up for their own desires.  Aksinya did indeed lose her old life.  She lost her position, her money, her goods, her family, her friends, her sorcery.  She lost literally everything.  She gained salvation, and lost the demon.  We recognise the things she gained and the life she gained in spite of the losses.  I wanted to convey this in this scene.  I gave Aksinya back her two closest friends because I wanted to remind you that this novel was also about salvation.  Aksinya found salvation in spite of the demon and in spite of who she was and what she had done.  She paid a high price for the salvation, but in retrospect it was a lot less than her savior.  I mean that about both her saviors.  Dobrushin became her savior from a physical standpoint.  He saved her from all the harm she had brought upon herself.  Her other savior was Christ.  Even though everything seemed to be contrived against Aksinya, ultimately, Christ provided spiritual salvation and eventually freedom from her demon.

Do you remember that I told you this novel was about the demons we all carry.  Aksinya's demon was just more real than most of ours.  This novel was a novel about redemption on many levels.  The redeemed was the one who seemed the least likely to have any hope, yet she, Aksinya was redeemed--and along the way, she did redeem others.  This is the point I wanted to make in this final chapter.  It does no good if your efforts only benefit yourself--even salvation.  In this way, salvation is both individual and communal.  The salvation of the individual leads to the salvation of the many.

In this piece, we see Natalya.  She is unbroken, but she carries the scars of Aksinya's beating.  Aksinya carries scars as well.  Natalya embraces Aksinya.  They are both overcome by the meeting.  Natalya buries her face in Aksinya's "thick braided hair."  Do you ever think I could let you forget the hair.  This is the symbol for Aksinya's contract with the demon.  Natalya gets to see a whole Aksinya for the first time.  Aksinya's first thought is for her friend: "Is Herr von Taaffe here."  Natalya is not a kept woman, she is a wife with rights.  I let you know that she and Ernst had to give up something--she is not called a Lady anymore.

Then I remind you of a little that Aksinya and Dobrushin have lost.  That's when I get to deliver the clincher.  Aksinya states:  "I’m certain you would not wish to have me around you all the time.  I know I will bring back terrible memories to you.”  Natalya's response: “You don’t understand at all Princess.  You are the reason I am here today."  We discover that Sister Margarethe is also a teacher at the school--do you remember Stacy's tormentor. 

Already Aksinya has a job.  Now we find that some of the damage that was done to Natalya, Ernst, and Sister Margarethe has been blunted.  Nothing can ever return to the way it was, but it can be better.  Not everything is resolved.  Not everything is made right, but in spite of the pain and suffering, as Natalya says: “Because of everything that happened before.  That time marked the end of a horrible and wonderful period, yet redemption came to you, to me.”  She held Aksinya close, “I could not bear to lose you again, Aksinya.  You redeemed me, the first of many.  You shall redeem many more.  God exceeded our expectations in spite of what we had done.”  

This is the message that I wanted to leave you with.  No telling allowed, but if you didn't get it in the rest of the novel, I wanted to make certain you didn't miss it here.  This is the kicker at the end--it should conclude and leave the reader with the theme:  "You shall redeem many more.  God exceeded our expectations in spite of what we had done.”  It is faith based, but hey--how can a novel so deeply involved with the spiritual not be faith based.  I hope you have enjoyed it.  I'll get into the next step details tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 185 You Must Know What I Am

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.



After disgracing her fiance, beating her friend bloody, and cursing her servants, Aksinya ran to the Ecclesia in Wien the priests and the Matushka (wife of one of the priests) welcome her and try to help her.  Aksinya has reached the end of all hope--she just wants to be confessed...


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…”

The Father Makar’s voice spoke too gently, “Just a few scrapes—a little blood.” The tone of the voice lowered and changed slightly, “Father Dobrushin? Will you confess her?”

Aksinya cried out, “You must all listen. You must know what I am.”

“That isn’t the way it is usually done, child.”

“For me, you must listen to my confession. Then you must give me over to them. My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”

The woman’s voice, “She sounds serious.”

Father Makar replied, “Ekaterina, she’s delirious, unbalanced. Such a confession is irregular, and a confession from an unbalanced mind…”

Father Dobrushin clasped Aksinya a little more tightly, “I will hear your confession, Countess.”

“Don’t call me that. I am nothing now. I am nothing.”

“Take her into the Ecclesia.”

Ekaterina spoke, “I’ll light the candles.”

Father Makar’s voice was tired, “I’ll get the sacrament.”

Father Dobrushin carried Aksinya little farther. Aksinya felt the crucifix between her breasts begin to heat. They passed through a doorway, and the heat increased suddenly and nausea overwhelmed her. She gagged and bile filled her mouth. She breathed in and vomit burned her nose and throat. Father Dobrushin made a sound, “Are you all right?” He placed Aksinya on the floor and lifted her head.

Aksinya couldn’t stop retching. Her body writhed. The priest held her until she couldn’t retch anymore. The crucifix still burned against her skin.

Father Dobrushin gave a great sigh, “She is ill.”

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

Aksinya is at the end of everything.  She knows the demon betrayed her (what else could she expect).  Natalya betrayed her.  Ernst betrayed her.  She believes that everyone and everything in the world has and will betray her.  Whatever the truth, she testifies that she is a murderer and that she wishes to confess.  She offers her hands as proof.  Ekaterina sees blood.  Father Makar sees "just a few scrapes".  This is intentional.  In the real world, we generally don't see direct contradictions or opposite conclusions like this.  In a novel, I can show you this great contrast in the way Ekaterina sees Aksinya and the way Father Makar sees her.  Father Makar has worked with the insane.  We will find this out later, but it is worthwhile to note here (an early revelation).  He is used to this kind of wild behaviour.  He thinks Aksinya is insane.  We, on the other hand, know much about Aksinya.  She is not insane at all, but how do you imagine her story will sound to others. 
 
You have all been living a dream with me about the unlovely Countess Aksinya.  The dream about her seems so real, but now, now the sudden daylight will flood over her dream and your dream.  How will that dream appear to the world, to the church, to the powerful people in Wien?
 
Watch Father Makar, his voice always gives him away.  He thinks he can hide it from others--that is he believes he can hide his thoughts, but he is too transparent and too truthful.  He has worked with the insane for a long time.  He will not confess Aksinya.  Aksinya's confession is not private.  She knows it can't be private.  Is this another trick of the demon or just self destructive behaviour from Aksinya?
 
Father Makar warns her.  Even the confessions of the insane are keep confidential.  Listen to Aksinya's words.  They are filled with truth:  "My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”
 
Ekaterina is the voice of empathy.  That is the point of her character, as you will discover.  She is listening to Aksinya.  She feels for Aksinya.  Perhaps the same kind of hopelessness overflowed her heart at some time.  We don't know, but we feel the empathy in her words.  Father Makar applies a pure rational understanding.  He knows about unbalanced minds.  We will find that Father Makar is not a voice for empathy at all.
 
The too serrious Father Dobrushin, clasps Aksinya more tightly.  He will hear her confession.  He does know her great need, at least on some level.  Aksinya denys her heratige and her name.  She is nothing--she has reached the lowest point in her life. 
 
We aren't certain who orders them into the Ecclesia--it seems like Father Makar.  Perhaps he is relenting.  He is not totally spiritually unaware.  Ekaterina will light the candles.  Father Makar will get the sacrament.  Father Dobrushin will confess Aksinya.
 
As they approach and enter the Ecclesia, the cross around Aksinya's neck reacts.  It is reacting to Aksinya, not to the Ecclesia.  Likewise, the evidence of Aksinya's spritual fall, she becomes nauseous.  She vomits and Father Dobrushin has to put her down.  We can see the father as a compassionate character.  You can imagine the mess he is having to put up with.  I don't mention it because it can be implied from the descriptions and the dialog.  This has happened to Aksinya in varying degrees since the beginning of her time in Wien.  It is just a simple extension of that.  Where this would be a cliche, if it just suddenly happened, can't be a cliche, it has occured every time Aksinya entered a church.  It represent's Aksinya's spiritual turmoil, therefore, it is worse now than at any time.
 
Father Dobrushin is afraid Aksinya is ill, both body and mind.  This would make a confession impossible.  Still, Aksinya insists.  Tomorrow, the confession.

A New Novel, Part 68 Chapel and Spiritual Illness

I put a clue in the title today--I usually don't do that.  I know you'll get the point anyway.  Aksinya and Natalya are ready for school.  They start their first day.  Do you remember, the first event every day at Sacré Coeur is chapel.  I wonder how that will work out?

They went down together for breakfast and more tea. Aksinya was very fond of tea, especially the tea Natalya made for her. They sat together and no one dared to sit with them. After breakfast, everyone marched to chapel in the church. They went through the dormitory to the second floor and entered the nave from the back of the choir. The moment Aksinya stepped through the door, she felt a pain in the pit of her stomach. Natalya took Aksinya’s arm when she faltered and helped her to her seat near the back at the main floor.

In their seats, Natalya put her hand on Aksinya’s forehead, “Mistress, you are pale. Are you well?”

Aksinya bent over a little, “I just feel a little ill. I’ll be all right.”

Natalya bit her lip. She steadied Aksinya when they stood, and when they knelt. The entire time, Aksinya clasped her arms across her chest and couldn’t raise her head. Natalya held the prayer book for her. Aksinya seemed to get worse as the service progressed. She mumbled in Latin, a counterpoint to the priest, but luckily in a throaty whisper that only Natalya could hear. When the bells announced communion, Aksinya gave a groan. Natalya put her arm around her. No one else seemed to notice, or they carefully ignored the two. Natalya and Aksinya didn’t take communion. Aksinya was happy they couldn’t. The very thought made her nauseous. At the blessing, Aksinya slipped out of her seat and hurried to the side door up and out through the choir. Natalya followed behind her.

On the other side of the door, Aksinya doubled over and leaned against the wall.

Natalya held her, “Mistress, you look terrible. What’s wrong?”

Aksinya’s eyes were wild, “I’m wrong. That’s the problem. I’m not sure I can stand this, but I must. I must.” She stood straight and grasped Natalya’s hands, “Lady Natalya, you must ensure I am at chapel every day. This is necessary…for my soul. Please.”

Natalya frowned, “I will, mistress. I promise. Please, I don’t wish you to be ill.”

Aksinya touched Natalya’s face, “Don’t cry, lady. Just help me, I beg you.”

Natalya slipped her arm around Aksinya’s shoulders. Before the crowd of girls came through the corridors, they returned to their rooms, and before the bells announced the beginning of class, Aksinya drank another rejuvenating cup of tea. They walked together to their first class. Natalya carried the official Sacré Coeur briefcases for them both.

The "they" are Aksinya and Natalya.  I don't give you much description about the breakfast room or their breakfast.  In this case, I think a little is enough.  You should have the picture of the school and a little more is generally unnecessary.  If you assume they had breakfast in the dining room or if you assume they had breakfast in a smaller place--either one is good.  The fun information is that no one "dared" sit next to them.

I give you a little more on the way to the chapel.  The entry is through the dormitory, so that is interesting in itself.  Then Aksinya's problem.  This will be a recurring problem until the initial resolution--she gets nauseated when she enters a church.  Sweet Natalya is just too innocent about Aksinya to get it.  This is a recurring theme too.

Natalya thinks Aksinya is ill.  Well she is ill, but her illness is entirely spiritual.  I didn't play this story the way I did Aegypt, but I might eventually.  In Aegypt, the reader was never sure if the main character was completely right about his observations of the events.  In this, I let you see everything, so you assume Aksinya's illness really is spiritual--it could easily be psychological.  Just a minor point.  We get the dialog about the illness, and note, I don't tell you she is nauseous until at the end.  The description is sufficient to give you all the information you need.  I hope you feel her pain.

I also hope you can imagine Aksinya and Natalya in the service.  You should wonder what Aksinya is mumbling--surely not a spell, but is she praying?  I don't tell you.  In any case, the climax comes at communion.  Remember why they can't take communion?  They are Orthodox and not Catholic. 

Aksinya made it to the end.  She almost lost it, but didn't.  Then Aksinya tells Natalya the straight out truth, but we get little comprehension from Natalya.  She still thinks it is a problem of illness.  Then a little trick.  Did you know Natalya was crying.  You might have guessed--she's just that way.  I show you through Aksinya's eyes.  That's a fun way to make a connection.  The important point is the Natalya is thinking entirely about Aksinya, and Aksinya is thinking about Natalya.  That's why Aksinya noticed.

In the end, Natalya cleans up the mess (no literal mess this time)--that is, she helps Aksinya back where she can have tea, and she prepares her for school--again.  At the end of this section, we see Natalya carrying both their books and they are headed for their first class.