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.
We and Aksinya learned that Asmodeus has been intercepting the bills to take care of the house and the provisions, but he might also be intercepting some of Aksinya's personal letters. We also learned that Sister Margarethe wishes to remain in Aksinya's household. Freifrau Bockmann has come to pick up Aksinya and Natalya for the weekend...
Inside the coupe, Aunt Brunhilda looked Aksinya over for a moment. She tapped the side of the glass window and held the strap as the carriage moved forward, “Good evening, Countess, Lady Natalya.”
“Good evening, Aunt Brunhilda,” Aksinya smiled. She couldn’t help smile when she said her aunt’s name.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Aren’t you going to share your decision about Herr von Taaffe with me? You will certainly tell him, yes, on Monday.”
Aksinya looked out the window, “I haven’t informed my confidant, the Lady Natalya yet. I am not ready to let everyone know. On Monday, you shall all know everything.”
“You haven’t told the Lady Natalya yet?” Freifrau Bockmann pouted and put her chin on the back of her hand. She glanced at Natalya, “Then there is not reason for me to try to cajole the answer from her?”
Aksinya frowned and didn’t turn from the window, “None at all.”
“Lady Natalya, the Countess has told you nothing about how her heart swings?”
Natalya shook her head.
Aunt Brunhilda snuck a look back at Aksinya, “Surely you will say yes to him.”
“I just had this conversation with Sister Margarethe, and I really don’t wish to be interrogated about it again.”
“Yes, Countess,” Freifrau Bockmann stared at her hands with an unhappy look on her face.
At Grossbock, Aksinya and Natalya went to their suite of rooms immediately after dinner. Aksinya would not answer her Aunt or Uncle’s questions during the evening. After Natalya had prepared Aksinya for bed, Aksinya sat up in her bed with the large book of Heka on her knees. A large magic circle encompassed the room. Natalya watched her through the servant’s door. Under Natalya’s covers was a very bright light. Aksinya didn’t notice it. She made a bright light of her own to read the book. Natalya just watched. A look of absolute contentment filled her features.
The lovely foreshadowing and imagery you can build with a simple scene like this are astounding. I give a little overlap in time between scenes. I really should have broken the chapter, but a double space is sufficient to break the scenes for the reader--plus there was a kicker at the end of the last scene. That was Sister Margarethe watching the carriage until it was out of sight.
Inside the coupe, I show you a luscious part of history. It is a repeat: how to get a carriage moving (signal the driver) but the strap is new. You could have guessed that carriages and especially coupes had straps, but you don't see them in most old west or European movies--look for them next time.
The Freifrau greets Aksinya, and Aksinya gives her a personal and friendly greeting in return. I remind you about Aksinya's state of mind and her humor at her aunt's name. The Freifrau launches in immediately. She wants to know Aksinya's answer to Ernst, of course she does. Aunt Brunhilda is pressing. She and the Freiherr want Aksinya to answer yes. They can't pressure her directly, but they are encouraging her as strongly as they possibly can.
Aksinya, in spite of herself, is still kind. She deflects attention away from Natalya, because Aksinya knows that her aunt will badger Natalya all weekend. Aunt Brunhilda knows she can't badger Aksinya, and she will be looking for some target. Aksinya's words are prescient and a foreshadowing. They are also ironic: "On Monday, you will all know everything.” You and they will indeed know everything on Monday.
The Freifrau badgers Natalya anyway. Natalya has learned her lesson, but notice, she still answers the question--perhaps because Aksinya is looking away. Natalya shakes her head. Aunt Brunhilda just can't let the question go: “Surely you will say yes to him.” Aksinya shuts her aunt down in very strong terms for this time. She is a Countess, after all.
This is the end of the chapter, and at Grossbock, we see the picture of domestic tranquility. Aksinya sits up with her book of sorcery on her knees; Natalya watches her with worship in her eyes. Tomorrow, the beginning of the end--Monday and the answer to Ernst.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
A New Novel, Part 149 An Undefendable House
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.
You know the drill. This is the beginning of chapter 13 so it is time to transition and set the scene. The transition comes first...
The invitations from Ernst continued every week. During that time, Aksinya and Natalya had an unwelcome break from school for Christmas and New Years. It was unwelcome because Natalya wanted to study and Aksinya liked the privacy of her own house—the Freiherr and Freifrau insisted they stay at Grossbock during the holiday. Ernst came to collect Aksinya and Natalya at Grossbock for their outings. Occasionally he ate dinner with them. During the holidays, he escorted Aksinya to dinner and a concert, opera, ballet, or a play every other day. The Freiherr and Freifrau encouraged Aksinya, and Aksinya was certain her aunt and uncle encouraged Ernst. She had her own suspicions that Asmodeus also encouraged him. She hadn’t seen Asmodeus for a while and that worried her very much. Natalya simply went along with Aksinya and carefully watched Ernst.
Aksinya made it her practice not to drink as much as she had the night of Die Zauberflöte. She still enjoyed the wine and Champagne Ernst served her, but she was just a little more cautious. She loved to drink but she did not enjoy the aftermath, and she wasn’t certain of what she did or told Natalya in the privacy of her room when she was not sober.
Ernst invited Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns to the Graff von Taaffe’s New Years dance and party. Because of the distance to the estate, they were invited to remain over until the next day and brought their small trunks and nightwear. They rode in the Bockmann’s coupe for more than two hours into the country until they arrived at the Graff von Taaffe’s estate. The way to the house from the main road was down a long tree-lined carriage path. Aksinya would have continued to read her German novel except that Natalya pointed out their approach to the house. They caught occasional glimpses from the enclosed cab of the great house as they cut back and forth in the gentle climb to the mansion.
The house was large and very old. From a distance, it looked like a schloß, but had a little more modern appearance close up. That is, on closer observation, it appeared to be from the eighteenth century, which it was, rather than from the fourteenth century, which it wasn’t. The front was stone with a generous fresco of marble, and all three floors displayed a similar exterior. The access to the heavy oaken front door was from a set of modern marble steps, but in contrast, the lower floor showed tiny windows and the top floor a crenulated roofline. Aksinya could spot the iron roofing that poked above the tops of the decorative crenulations. The second floor windows were larger and more numerous, but still gave an impression of medieval depth, and the top floor windows were the largest, but the thickness of the stone facade prevented any visibility into them. Tall constructions at either end of the face of the mansion appeared like towers, but they were encompassed at the walls and not separate structures.
The mansion reminded Aksinya a little of her house in Russia. The outline and much of the ornamentation were similar. In Russia, however, the purpose was protection and defense. Her house had been defended many times in the past by the Counts Golitsyna. She, on the other hand, had abandoned it instead of defending it with her life. She shook her head. She wondered why that thought had suddenly stolen into her mind. The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe.
You need to ask yourself this question: does Aksinya appear like a woman in love. If she does, I have failed miserably. On the other hand, if Ernst doesn't appear like a love-struck puppy, I have messed up the writing entirely. If you didn't get it before, you should now. The details in this transition give you many details about Aksinya and Natalya and, of course, Ernst. We knew about the relationship pushing from the Freiherr and Freifrau. We could have guessed that Natalya loves to study and Aksinya loves her privacy. I hope you are suspicious too about the interaction of Asmodeus in the whole affair.
We also see that Aksinya is trying to moderate her own behaviour. She hasn't been successful in the past and we know where this kind of thing goes anyway. I suspect she won't be successful now, but we shall see. Note, that Aksinya is concerned with what she might reveal to Natalya while she is drunk.
Now on to the main point of the chapter: Ernst invited Aksinya to his father's estate for New Years. He also, quite properly, invited Aksinya's aunt and uncle. This is the scene setting for the chapter. This occurs following the transition. I give you a bunch of information in a tight format. Notice that Aksinya doesn't care about the house, Natalya points it out to her. It is through the eyes of Aksinya we see the house of Ernst's father. The mansion is on a mountain top. I don't tell you this, I show you this through the travel on the road. I also use comparison and other techniques to describe the house to you. This description is a metaphor for the Taaffe family. So lets look at the details of that.
The house is large and very old. Likewise the Taaffe family. It looks like a castle (that's what a schloß is). It is more modern close up. So Ernst is like his father's house. It has the appearance of age and the past, but close up, he is modern (in terms of a noble). The other details likewise relate to the building and the family. The contrast between modern and ancient between old and new. The description of the house also shows the windows are tiny on the bottom with thick walls and wider with the same thick walls at the top. This indicates the potential secrets and privacy of the family. You know there is a depth and many secrets here, but I don't reveal any of them. There are secrets especially about Ernst, but I haven't shown them to you. You might ask about how Ernst became involved in sorcery. You might wonder about his mother--we'll see that later, and his father.
The next comparison is between Aksinya's house and Ernst's father's house. It reminds her of her house in Russia. Take this metaphor to the full point. Ernst's house is a facade; Aksinya's house was used for defense. This is a foreshadowing to what I mentioned before. Do you think Ernst can release Aksinya from her curse? What do you read from his father's house. Akinsya tells you that in spite of her power and her desires, in her well protected and defended house, she could not defend or protect it. The end tagline about the Taaffe's estate is this: The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe. So what do you think? Tomorrow, the arrival.
You know the drill. This is the beginning of chapter 13 so it is time to transition and set the scene. The transition comes first...
The invitations from Ernst continued every week. During that time, Aksinya and Natalya had an unwelcome break from school for Christmas and New Years. It was unwelcome because Natalya wanted to study and Aksinya liked the privacy of her own house—the Freiherr and Freifrau insisted they stay at Grossbock during the holiday. Ernst came to collect Aksinya and Natalya at Grossbock for their outings. Occasionally he ate dinner with them. During the holidays, he escorted Aksinya to dinner and a concert, opera, ballet, or a play every other day. The Freiherr and Freifrau encouraged Aksinya, and Aksinya was certain her aunt and uncle encouraged Ernst. She had her own suspicions that Asmodeus also encouraged him. She hadn’t seen Asmodeus for a while and that worried her very much. Natalya simply went along with Aksinya and carefully watched Ernst.
Aksinya made it her practice not to drink as much as she had the night of Die Zauberflöte. She still enjoyed the wine and Champagne Ernst served her, but she was just a little more cautious. She loved to drink but she did not enjoy the aftermath, and she wasn’t certain of what she did or told Natalya in the privacy of her room when she was not sober.
Ernst invited Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns to the Graff von Taaffe’s New Years dance and party. Because of the distance to the estate, they were invited to remain over until the next day and brought their small trunks and nightwear. They rode in the Bockmann’s coupe for more than two hours into the country until they arrived at the Graff von Taaffe’s estate. The way to the house from the main road was down a long tree-lined carriage path. Aksinya would have continued to read her German novel except that Natalya pointed out their approach to the house. They caught occasional glimpses from the enclosed cab of the great house as they cut back and forth in the gentle climb to the mansion.
The house was large and very old. From a distance, it looked like a schloß, but had a little more modern appearance close up. That is, on closer observation, it appeared to be from the eighteenth century, which it was, rather than from the fourteenth century, which it wasn’t. The front was stone with a generous fresco of marble, and all three floors displayed a similar exterior. The access to the heavy oaken front door was from a set of modern marble steps, but in contrast, the lower floor showed tiny windows and the top floor a crenulated roofline. Aksinya could spot the iron roofing that poked above the tops of the decorative crenulations. The second floor windows were larger and more numerous, but still gave an impression of medieval depth, and the top floor windows were the largest, but the thickness of the stone facade prevented any visibility into them. Tall constructions at either end of the face of the mansion appeared like towers, but they were encompassed at the walls and not separate structures.
The mansion reminded Aksinya a little of her house in Russia. The outline and much of the ornamentation were similar. In Russia, however, the purpose was protection and defense. Her house had been defended many times in the past by the Counts Golitsyna. She, on the other hand, had abandoned it instead of defending it with her life. She shook her head. She wondered why that thought had suddenly stolen into her mind. The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe.
You need to ask yourself this question: does Aksinya appear like a woman in love. If she does, I have failed miserably. On the other hand, if Ernst doesn't appear like a love-struck puppy, I have messed up the writing entirely. If you didn't get it before, you should now. The details in this transition give you many details about Aksinya and Natalya and, of course, Ernst. We knew about the relationship pushing from the Freiherr and Freifrau. We could have guessed that Natalya loves to study and Aksinya loves her privacy. I hope you are suspicious too about the interaction of Asmodeus in the whole affair.
We also see that Aksinya is trying to moderate her own behaviour. She hasn't been successful in the past and we know where this kind of thing goes anyway. I suspect she won't be successful now, but we shall see. Note, that Aksinya is concerned with what she might reveal to Natalya while she is drunk.
Now on to the main point of the chapter: Ernst invited Aksinya to his father's estate for New Years. He also, quite properly, invited Aksinya's aunt and uncle. This is the scene setting for the chapter. This occurs following the transition. I give you a bunch of information in a tight format. Notice that Aksinya doesn't care about the house, Natalya points it out to her. It is through the eyes of Aksinya we see the house of Ernst's father. The mansion is on a mountain top. I don't tell you this, I show you this through the travel on the road. I also use comparison and other techniques to describe the house to you. This description is a metaphor for the Taaffe family. So lets look at the details of that.
The house is large and very old. Likewise the Taaffe family. It looks like a castle (that's what a schloß is). It is more modern close up. So Ernst is like his father's house. It has the appearance of age and the past, but close up, he is modern (in terms of a noble). The other details likewise relate to the building and the family. The contrast between modern and ancient between old and new. The description of the house also shows the windows are tiny on the bottom with thick walls and wider with the same thick walls at the top. This indicates the potential secrets and privacy of the family. You know there is a depth and many secrets here, but I don't reveal any of them. There are secrets especially about Ernst, but I haven't shown them to you. You might ask about how Ernst became involved in sorcery. You might wonder about his mother--we'll see that later, and his father.
The next comparison is between Aksinya's house and Ernst's father's house. It reminds her of her house in Russia. Take this metaphor to the full point. Ernst's house is a facade; Aksinya's house was used for defense. This is a foreshadowing to what I mentioned before. Do you think Ernst can release Aksinya from her curse? What do you read from his father's house. Akinsya tells you that in spite of her power and her desires, in her well protected and defended house, she could not defend or protect it. The end tagline about the Taaffe's estate is this: The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe. So what do you think? Tomorrow, the arrival.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A New Novel, Part 34 Uncle Bockmann's Mansion
So the demon got his will again--or did he. We will see. We are traveling in Wien to visit Aksinya's Uncle and Aunt.
They traveled a long while through the streets crowded with overhanging buildings and thick with people. Eventually, the people thinned and the streets widened. They gave way to more open parks, wooded areas, and estates. The buildings still sat next to the cobblestone streets and close enough to each other for easy visiting without carriages or horses. Still, the afternoon callers took their carriages visiting—that was the style. They eventually came to a magnificent house whose façade was stone and glass. Heavy colonnades gave it a classical feel, but the yellow brick and stone made it seem very modern for the times. When they pulled up to the front, a servant came running. They arrived late for an afternoon call but early for supper.
Aksinya’s cheeks were rosy and she was cold. She was angry, but her anger didn’t seem to warm her at all. She just felt cross and sad, very sad.
The servant who greeted them was dressed like their driver in the classic Austrian livery used for attending aristocracy. It was slightly over the top for a house in Moscow, certainly much more than anyone would expect or normally aspire to in war torn Austria. Immediately, Aksinya realized everything the demon said about her uncle was true. She knew it before, but this reminder cast all her childish memories and knowledge in focus. The servant offered his hand first to Aksinya and she climbed from the carriage. The servant’s hand was cold. He must have been waiting outside for a long time. Aksinya addressed him, “Where you expecting us?”
The man bowed. “Yes, countess, since your telegram last evening.”
Aksinya’s brow rose.
Natalya took her place next to Aksinya. The demon followed. As he passed Aksinya, he whispered, “The telegram I sent yesterday. You uncle is expecting you for supper.”
Aksinya didn’t say a word. The servant bowed, “If you will please follow me.”
They followed the man and behind them Aksinya heard the carriage move away. The sound of the horses’ hooves was loud on the cobbled drive.
I hope you didn't miss it, the demon sent the telegram. He has planned events ahead with great foresight. He planned each piece in identifying, bringing out, tempting, and contracting Natalya to Aksinya. You know he has done the same in this circumstance. The question at this point is what has he done and what has he planned. The demon works through weakness. The weakness of the Bockmanns is stature and the aristocracy. We will see them tomorrow.
They traveled a long while through the streets crowded with overhanging buildings and thick with people. Eventually, the people thinned and the streets widened. They gave way to more open parks, wooded areas, and estates. The buildings still sat next to the cobblestone streets and close enough to each other for easy visiting without carriages or horses. Still, the afternoon callers took their carriages visiting—that was the style. They eventually came to a magnificent house whose façade was stone and glass. Heavy colonnades gave it a classical feel, but the yellow brick and stone made it seem very modern for the times. When they pulled up to the front, a servant came running. They arrived late for an afternoon call but early for supper.
Aksinya’s cheeks were rosy and she was cold. She was angry, but her anger didn’t seem to warm her at all. She just felt cross and sad, very sad.
The servant who greeted them was dressed like their driver in the classic Austrian livery used for attending aristocracy. It was slightly over the top for a house in Moscow, certainly much more than anyone would expect or normally aspire to in war torn Austria. Immediately, Aksinya realized everything the demon said about her uncle was true. She knew it before, but this reminder cast all her childish memories and knowledge in focus. The servant offered his hand first to Aksinya and she climbed from the carriage. The servant’s hand was cold. He must have been waiting outside for a long time. Aksinya addressed him, “Where you expecting us?”
The man bowed. “Yes, countess, since your telegram last evening.”
Aksinya’s brow rose.
Natalya took her place next to Aksinya. The demon followed. As he passed Aksinya, he whispered, “The telegram I sent yesterday. You uncle is expecting you for supper.”
Aksinya didn’t say a word. The servant bowed, “If you will please follow me.”
They followed the man and behind them Aksinya heard the carriage move away. The sound of the horses’ hooves was loud on the cobbled drive.
I hope you didn't miss it, the demon sent the telegram. He has planned events ahead with great foresight. He planned each piece in identifying, bringing out, tempting, and contracting Natalya to Aksinya. You know he has done the same in this circumstance. The question at this point is what has he done and what has he planned. The demon works through weakness. The weakness of the Bockmanns is stature and the aristocracy. We will see them tomorrow.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A New Novel, Part 25 Preperations for Travel
The relationship between Aksinya and Asmodeus begins to change. This is what you should be observing. Natalya in the mix becomes the major difference. Note how she reacts and remember, only Aksinya can really hear and fully understand the demon's words--or so the demon tells her.
A solid knock came at the bedroom door and it flew open. Asmodeus strode into the room.
Aksinya didn’t look at him, “You should at least wait until you are invited in.”
“I heard my name mentioned.”
“You were mistaken. Where have you been?”
“Taking care of your business, countess.”
“And that would be?”
“Our travel arrangements.”
“The next time you arrange for my room, ensure there is a sitting room.”
“My choice doesn’t please you?”
“A countess and her lady should have a sitting room. Then you will not be able to burst directly into her boudoir.” Aksinya carefully blanked her mind, “I would also like some things from my baggage.”
“Yes,” the demon’s voice was silky.
“I need my mother’s jewelry box so I may make some choices before I step down to supper.”
“You are not going anywhere for supper.”
Aksinya whirled around with a glare.
“There are Bolsheviks watching this inn. You shall not go down to supper. We shall leave tonight.”
“I wish to look through my mother’s jewelry.”
“You may when the time is right. It is not the right time for such frivolity.”
“There are jewels that I may use for enchantments.”
Asmodeus cocked his head in an attitude of listening, “You are telling the truth.”
“Of course I am telling the truth.”
“I will see what I can do. Is there anything else you wish?”
“I wish my sewing things so the Lady Natalya can begin to fit my mother and sister’s clothing to me.”
“Perhaps I wish you to appear as bedraggled as you first stood before me—or like you did last night.”
“Such dress would tempt no one and only embarrass your vanity.”
Asmodeus’ lip rose, “You unfairly judge your enticements. At the proper time, I will retrieve your sewing things from the baggage.”
“Thank you. You might take on a more civil tone when you speak to me in front of the Lady Natalya. You would not want to shame her or you.”
The demon bowed. “Which gown would you like to wear tonight?”
“My green traveling gown and the green padded boots. What will the Lady Natalya wear?”
Natalya ducked her head, “I repaired the back of my blue dress. That will be sufficient.”
Asmodeus smiled, “I took the Lady Natalya’s clothing from her room in the servant’s quarters. She does not have much.”
Lady Natalya spoke quickly, “I had…, have plenty. Three dresses and five petticoats. They were finely made…”
Aksinya put out her hand, “And hand me downs. When we have an opportunity, I will buy you something new. For now, which would you like to wear?”
“My green dress.” She glanced down, “I shall wear green too.”
Aksinya glanced at the demon, “You have your instructions. Are you happy to not have to draw my bath and serve my meals?”
“Yes,” laughed Asmodeus, “And to not sew your clothing.”
“When will we leave?”
“When the sun is fully down.”
So, are the really ready to travel--the demon has his plans.
A solid knock came at the bedroom door and it flew open. Asmodeus strode into the room.
Aksinya didn’t look at him, “You should at least wait until you are invited in.”
“I heard my name mentioned.”
“You were mistaken. Where have you been?”
“Taking care of your business, countess.”
“And that would be?”
“Our travel arrangements.”
“The next time you arrange for my room, ensure there is a sitting room.”
“My choice doesn’t please you?”
“A countess and her lady should have a sitting room. Then you will not be able to burst directly into her boudoir.” Aksinya carefully blanked her mind, “I would also like some things from my baggage.”
“Yes,” the demon’s voice was silky.
“I need my mother’s jewelry box so I may make some choices before I step down to supper.”
“You are not going anywhere for supper.”
Aksinya whirled around with a glare.
“There are Bolsheviks watching this inn. You shall not go down to supper. We shall leave tonight.”
“I wish to look through my mother’s jewelry.”
“You may when the time is right. It is not the right time for such frivolity.”
“There are jewels that I may use for enchantments.”
Asmodeus cocked his head in an attitude of listening, “You are telling the truth.”
“Of course I am telling the truth.”
“I will see what I can do. Is there anything else you wish?”
“I wish my sewing things so the Lady Natalya can begin to fit my mother and sister’s clothing to me.”
“Perhaps I wish you to appear as bedraggled as you first stood before me—or like you did last night.”
“Such dress would tempt no one and only embarrass your vanity.”
Asmodeus’ lip rose, “You unfairly judge your enticements. At the proper time, I will retrieve your sewing things from the baggage.”
“Thank you. You might take on a more civil tone when you speak to me in front of the Lady Natalya. You would not want to shame her or you.”
The demon bowed. “Which gown would you like to wear tonight?”
“My green traveling gown and the green padded boots. What will the Lady Natalya wear?”
Natalya ducked her head, “I repaired the back of my blue dress. That will be sufficient.”
Asmodeus smiled, “I took the Lady Natalya’s clothing from her room in the servant’s quarters. She does not have much.”
Lady Natalya spoke quickly, “I had…, have plenty. Three dresses and five petticoats. They were finely made…”
Aksinya put out her hand, “And hand me downs. When we have an opportunity, I will buy you something new. For now, which would you like to wear?”
“My green dress.” She glanced down, “I shall wear green too.”
Aksinya glanced at the demon, “You have your instructions. Are you happy to not have to draw my bath and serve my meals?”
“Yes,” laughed Asmodeus, “And to not sew your clothing.”
“When will we leave?”
“When the sun is fully down.”
So, are the really ready to travel--the demon has his plans.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A New Novel, Part 24 Initial Natalia
Returning to the last paragraph of the previous piece of Daemon.
Aksinya wasn’t sure all that was true, but her demon displayed an inability to act through a magic circle and some unwillingness or inability to move a cross. She lounged in the warm water. Many of her own, her mother’s, and her sister’s jewelry were crosses. Suddenly, Aksinya wondered if any of her jewelry made it into the demon’s chest. He wasn’t beyond lying—in fact, Aksinya was certain that he lied most of the time. She thought for a while longer and made a plan. The first step was to ask the demon to show her, her mother’s jewelry. The water was getting cool. Aksinya made the slightest sound in the back of her throat. Natalya knocked on the door, “Mistress, do you need me to warm your water?”
“I’m getting out.”
Natalya rushed through the door and helped Aksinya out of the tub. She put a towel around her and adroitly dried her and her hair. Natalya already had a silk dressing gown ready and a heavy robe. She dressed Aksinya in them and led her back into the bedroom. A large meal was arranged on the table in the room. Natalya seated Aksinya and served her. After a moment, Aksinya asked, “Have you eaten, Lady Natalya?”
Natalya colored at being addressed so personally by a countess, “Yes mistress, I have eaten breakfast and dinner in the kitchen.”
“Are you still hungry?”
“No, mistress.”
“Where is Asmodeus?”
“Your courtier?”
“Yes.”
“He has gone to make arrangements for you to travel.”
Aksinya glanced up from her meal, puzzled, “Where are we?”
“You were so tired last night, countess. Your courtier carried you here.”
“But where is here?”
“We are at a very fine inn on the vul. Kazinca near the railway station. Last night, you could barely stand, but after I dressed you for bed, you insisted in drawing these circles around our beds.” Natalya gave a broad smile.
“Did you sleep well?”
Natalya pressed her hands together, “I have never slept better. I was so excited that you took me into your household. My heart was so free that I couldn’t stand it. I thought I would never get to sleep, but I did.”
“You needn’t be afraid of me, Lady Natalya. I will not mistreat you.”
Natalya pressed her lips together, “Did you know?”
“I know.”
“I tried to hide it from everyone.”
“You must be cautious of Asmodeus.”
“Is he dangerous to…to women?”
Aksinya face twitched in a slight smiled, “He is dangerous. You must be cautious around him. You should tell me anything he says to you. You don’t need to worry about your virtue, but perhaps about other things.”
Natalya’s face turned into a frown, “Other things?”
“I don’t want you to worry about them, just be cautious of him. When you are with me you should be safe.”
Aksinya is beginning to take steps against Asmodeus. We shall see if she is successful. We will also see some delays before she can test her ideas. The question is: how much does the demon realize? We have some idea about how much Aksinya knows, but little about the knowledge of the demon. We know he can't be omniscient, but the degree of his knowledge seems great. He also seems to think out his plans to a degree that is much greater than humans can or will.
Aksinya wasn’t sure all that was true, but her demon displayed an inability to act through a magic circle and some unwillingness or inability to move a cross. She lounged in the warm water. Many of her own, her mother’s, and her sister’s jewelry were crosses. Suddenly, Aksinya wondered if any of her jewelry made it into the demon’s chest. He wasn’t beyond lying—in fact, Aksinya was certain that he lied most of the time. She thought for a while longer and made a plan. The first step was to ask the demon to show her, her mother’s jewelry. The water was getting cool. Aksinya made the slightest sound in the back of her throat. Natalya knocked on the door, “Mistress, do you need me to warm your water?”
“I’m getting out.”
Natalya rushed through the door and helped Aksinya out of the tub. She put a towel around her and adroitly dried her and her hair. Natalya already had a silk dressing gown ready and a heavy robe. She dressed Aksinya in them and led her back into the bedroom. A large meal was arranged on the table in the room. Natalya seated Aksinya and served her. After a moment, Aksinya asked, “Have you eaten, Lady Natalya?”
Natalya colored at being addressed so personally by a countess, “Yes mistress, I have eaten breakfast and dinner in the kitchen.”
“Are you still hungry?”
“No, mistress.”
“Where is Asmodeus?”
“Your courtier?”
“Yes.”
“He has gone to make arrangements for you to travel.”
Aksinya glanced up from her meal, puzzled, “Where are we?”
“You were so tired last night, countess. Your courtier carried you here.”
“But where is here?”
“We are at a very fine inn on the vul. Kazinca near the railway station. Last night, you could barely stand, but after I dressed you for bed, you insisted in drawing these circles around our beds.” Natalya gave a broad smile.
“Did you sleep well?”
Natalya pressed her hands together, “I have never slept better. I was so excited that you took me into your household. My heart was so free that I couldn’t stand it. I thought I would never get to sleep, but I did.”
“You needn’t be afraid of me, Lady Natalya. I will not mistreat you.”
Natalya pressed her lips together, “Did you know?”
“I know.”
“I tried to hide it from everyone.”
“You must be cautious of Asmodeus.”
“Is he dangerous to…to women?”
Aksinya face twitched in a slight smiled, “He is dangerous. You must be cautious around him. You should tell me anything he says to you. You don’t need to worry about your virtue, but perhaps about other things.”
Natalya’s face turned into a frown, “Other things?”
“I don’t want you to worry about them, just be cautious of him. When you are with me you should be safe.”
Aksinya is beginning to take steps against Asmodeus. We shall see if she is successful. We will also see some delays before she can test her ideas. The question is: how much does the demon realize? We have some idea about how much Aksinya knows, but little about the knowledge of the demon. We know he can't be omniscient, but the degree of his knowledge seems great. He also seems to think out his plans to a degree that is much greater than humans can or will.
Friday, October 15, 2010
A New Novel, Part 12 On the Road to Minsk
The next bit. So Aksinya has been tempted and forced to go along with the demon. He packed up the house and packed up Aksinya. They are on their way to she doesn't know where. He is taking her to the perfect servant he has found.
Aksinya walked wearily behind the demon. He carried a large banded chest across his wide shoulders. In it, so he said, was all the goods and wealth of her family. It was impossible to imagine that such a small space held everything, but she herself had seen her bed and linens and all her clothing go at the last into that chest. Everything. She knew it was possible and that it might be true. Her sorcery books showed her how to make such places to conceal large parts of the world. She knew how to do it herself, but to see it done on such a scale… It was incredible.
The demon didn’t flag. She did. He had served her a fine dinner laid out on her family’s china. That was a few hours ago. Now, she was ready for supper and for bed, and she had no idea where they would stop for the evening—her family’s estate was well away from any large city or town.
Her shoes meant for Paris street were not designed for travel on frozen dirt roads and the snow covered countryside. Her feet hurt, she was cold, and she was hungry. She wondered more than once why they had not taken the carriage. As she understood it, that was also packed in the wonderful chest.
Unfortunately, the horses had been stolen by the Bolsheviks and were not returned. That’s what the demon told her. She wasn’t sure if she should believe him. She trudged behind him with her eyes on the dark frozen dirt road.
“At least it is not wet,” called Asmodeus back to her.
“I’m ready for supper and an inn.”
“You can’t stay at an inn in this part of the country.”
Aksinya was dismayed, “Then where shall I stay—a farmhouse?”
“Don’t worry, countess. I shall take care of your needs. Your first need is for a servant. I know of a perfect one that will meet your requirements—and mine. That is our first step.”
After a short while the frozen dirt road became surrounded by trees and they walked in a forest. Still, there was almost no traffic on it. The road turned abruptly in to stone paving and they entered a large town. The sky was already turning dark, and Aksinya was very tired. People began to populate the edges of the place. Traffic began to fill the streets.
Aksinya ran to catch up to the demon, “What place is this?”
“We are in Minsk, countess.”
Just a short piece from the beginning of chapter 3 to give the travel of Asmodeus and Aksinya from her estate to Minsk. More to come...
Aksinya walked wearily behind the demon. He carried a large banded chest across his wide shoulders. In it, so he said, was all the goods and wealth of her family. It was impossible to imagine that such a small space held everything, but she herself had seen her bed and linens and all her clothing go at the last into that chest. Everything. She knew it was possible and that it might be true. Her sorcery books showed her how to make such places to conceal large parts of the world. She knew how to do it herself, but to see it done on such a scale… It was incredible.
The demon didn’t flag. She did. He had served her a fine dinner laid out on her family’s china. That was a few hours ago. Now, she was ready for supper and for bed, and she had no idea where they would stop for the evening—her family’s estate was well away from any large city or town.
Her shoes meant for Paris street were not designed for travel on frozen dirt roads and the snow covered countryside. Her feet hurt, she was cold, and she was hungry. She wondered more than once why they had not taken the carriage. As she understood it, that was also packed in the wonderful chest.
Unfortunately, the horses had been stolen by the Bolsheviks and were not returned. That’s what the demon told her. She wasn’t sure if she should believe him. She trudged behind him with her eyes on the dark frozen dirt road.
“At least it is not wet,” called Asmodeus back to her.
“I’m ready for supper and an inn.”
“You can’t stay at an inn in this part of the country.”
Aksinya was dismayed, “Then where shall I stay—a farmhouse?”
“Don’t worry, countess. I shall take care of your needs. Your first need is for a servant. I know of a perfect one that will meet your requirements—and mine. That is our first step.”
After a short while the frozen dirt road became surrounded by trees and they walked in a forest. Still, there was almost no traffic on it. The road turned abruptly in to stone paving and they entered a large town. The sky was already turning dark, and Aksinya was very tired. People began to populate the edges of the place. Traffic began to fill the streets.
Aksinya ran to catch up to the demon, “What place is this?”
“We are in Minsk, countess.”
Just a short piece from the beginning of chapter 3 to give the travel of Asmodeus and Aksinya from her estate to Minsk. More to come...
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