A New Novel, Part 150 Dressed Like a Princess

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.

For New Years 1919, Aksinya, Natalya, Freiherr, and Freifrau Bockmann have been invited by Ernst and his father to visit Ernst Father's estate in the mountains of Austria...

Aksinya was not enraptured with the idea of visiting Ernst’s family or his father’s estate. Still Ernst was pleasant. She certainly didn’t want her aunt and uncle gumming up all her time with the young man. She wondered mostly why he would invite her and her aunt and uncle to this affair tonight.

When their coupe arrived at front of the house, Ernst ran out and stopped at the carriage door before the vehicle came to a complete stop. He was dressed formally in dark tails, but didn’t have on his top hat. He yanked open the door before the doorman or the driver could. Aunt Brunhilda grasped Aksinya’s arm and pulled her up. She whispered with a smile, “Greet him first. He’s looking for you.”

Aksinya came to the door, and Ernst put out his hand. Aksinya allowed him to help her from the coupe. She was dressed in a light blue gown that had silver highlights sewn into the fabric. The gown flowed gently over her body. The top was high with a straight collar that accentuated her very thin body and small bosom. Her hat was a small square of blue lace with a very light veil that only reached as long as her bangs. Like always, Natalya had chosen the clothing for her. Aksinya had not closed her long mink cloak and that framed her body and the dress. Ernst stared at her for a moment then he put his lips close to her gloved hand and bowed deeply over it. His warm breath swirled with small clouds in the cold air, “Countess Golitsyna, welcome to Steinholtz.” He raised his head and gazed in her eyes with such a strange and fervent expression, she blushed.

The doorman and driver helped the Freiherr and Freifrau from the coupe and then Natalya. Finally, without moving his eyes from Aksinya, Ernst turned partially toward the Freiherr and Freifrau, “Good evening Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann.” After a moment, Ernst managed to drag his eyes from Aksinya and to the Freiherr. He gave a slight bow to the nobleman, and then took Freifrau Bockmann’s hand and bowed over it.

Okay, I don't usually let you have a look into the minds of my characters.  I let you see a little into Aksinya's thoughts.  I chose to use this technique because I didn't think it would fit well in a conversation, and I wanted you to note her mind as they arrive.  It was enough to show you she is interested superficially in Ernst, but not in his family, estate, or the party.  Although very wise about many things, Aksinya is clueless about some things in life.

When they arrived, Ernst ran out without his hat.  No one is caught outside without a hat in this culture.  To do is is the epitome of a faux pas.  Ernst rushes out to greet Aksinya.  He is like a little kid.  He gets to the carriage before it can stop moving and yanks open the door.  You would think Aksinya would get it, but she doesn't.  Her aunt does understand and pushes her out first.

Aksinya is dressed like a princess--a Russian princess; her mink cloak frames her body.  If you didn't get it already, this makes Ernst's poor heart do flip-flops.  He thinks she dressed for him--that's why I point out that Natalya picked out her clothing, like always.  Aksinya is ambivalent to Ernst;  he is deeply in love with her.  All he can do is stare.  His look makes her blush.  We also get the name of the estate, Steinholtz--roughly, in German, "stonehold."

Ernst can't take his eyes off Aksinya.  By the way, men did not kiss women's hands in Germanic cultures.  To touch your lips to a woman's hand would be considered very intimate and improper.  A man, most properly, would bow over the hand.  In Latin cultures, I understand a man might kiss a woman's hand, but he would not kiss a Germanic woman's hand twice.  In some Germanic countries, such an action could be prosecuted criminally as "touching."  I do let the moment get a little intimate: Ernst brings his lips close and his warm breath makes fog in the air.  This way I show you how cold the day is and how impassioned Ernst is. 

Ernst manages to greet the Freiherr and Freifrau.  Tomorrow, we meet Ernst's father.

A New Novel, Part 90 A New Book of Sorcery

Now we get down to business.  Asmodeus does indeed have something for Aksinya.  He has more than one thing for her.  Everything has been set up and the demon is beginning to move forward.  Asmodeus is speaking.

“And you would die. That comes of losing an arm or an eye.”

Aksinya was breathing hard, “Why do others forget you so easily? My aunt and uncle didn’t even ask after you. It is as if you were a ghost or something.”

“I am no ghost, only a demon—a spirit, nonetheless. You know exactly what I am and who I am. You know I am not made corporeally of the material of this world. I am an eternal being like your eternal soul. You shall be with me for an eternity. You might as well get used to my company.”

“I am sleepy now, disturb me no longer.”

“Have you forgotten? I have work for you to do.”

“Get out!”

“I shall not.”

“I shall scream. See how that fits with your plans.”

“Dear countess, you may scream and scream and scream, no one will come. Just as I manipulate the world around us, I can change the sounds and the words as I will.”

Aksinya leapt off the bed and began to draw a circle in her special chalk on the floor. The demon stepped over to her and grasped her by the hair. Asmodeus shook her, “A magic circle will do you no good tonight. I will deliver my instructions and expect you to follow through with them.”

Aksinya writhed in his grasp.

“I know what you are thinking. You will make a circle before you go to bed. That will only stop me for a while. You should realize you can’t hide from me. I await your pleasure eternally. Now listen to me.” He shook her again, “Countess, I have a present for you.” He dropped her to the floor, and a heavy brown book fell beside her.

Aksinya crept away from the demon and the book.

The demon cracked his knuckles, “That is a new book for your collection. You read about it in one of the earlier tomes…and lusted for it. It is yours now.”

“Where did you get it?”

“What does it matter where it came from? It is yours now. I grace it to you to use the knowledge as you see fit.”

Aksinya couldn’t say anything back to the demon. She wanted to read the book. She longed to read it. She couldn’t say anything to him. She was too embarrassed to do anything at the moment.

Our closing comment yesterday from the demon.  If you are rid of me, you will die--is this a lie?  Aksinya doesn't know.  She asks the question that has plagued her mind this evening.  He doesn't answer her question, but he gives us a lot of information that defines a demon and a human soul.  The answer to Aksinya's question is within the framework of the demon's answer.  The demon is an eternal being like a human soul.  We knew than intrinsically.  The point is that like a soul, the demon is not corporeal.  The interchange becomes an argument and Aksinya threatens to scream--she will awaken the house.  The demon's response is exactly what Aksinya knows, the demon can change sounds and sights.  She also knows the solution that prevents the demon from acting on her.
 
She immediately jumps off the bed and begins to draw a magic circle.  She certainly didn't expect the demon's reaction.  He has never physically accosted her before.  Now he does.  The demon grabs her hair--do you get it.  He has not touched her before except to help her.  Now to punish and physically threaten her, he grabs her hair.  He can do this because she gave him her hair as a surety.  He can't harm her otherwise, not directly.
 
The Demon gives Aksinya a gift--he graces it to her.  The word grace is very important in this context.  It is a free gift of temptation.  It is a book of sorcery.  I don't tell you it is a book of sorcery, you figure it out from the context and Aksinya's desire.  Note the end of this piece--the only thing Aksinya can think of is to read the book.  The book is a book of sorcery and it is a focus of her lust.  The demon read her right.  He knew exactly the way to tempt her.  Now he has her attention and now that he does...we shall see what else he wants from Aksinya tomorrow. 

A New Novel, Part 80 Aksinya's House

We have a short transition through the day with the German class as the only detail.  Asmodeus comes to visit that evening.  This is an example of focusing the storyline only on the important details that move it along.

Asmodeus came to visit that evening. He knocked on the sitting room door. Natalya opened it for him. She curtsied. Asmodeus strode into the room, “Countess, are you ready to make a visit to your house?”


“If I must.”

Natalya looked on with curiosity.

Aksinya went back to her reading.

Asmodeus blinked, “The time to visit is now.”

Aksinya yawned, “The school and convent is locked and the hour is late. How do you expect us to go visiting now?”

“I suspect I will not get your help in concealing the both of you, but I can do it for now. I insist you go.”

“You insist?”

“Your acquiescence now will mean a lot less pain and suffering for you later.”

Aksinya tuned a bored look at the demon, “Are you threatening me.”

“Whenever did I not?”

“You are always lying to me, but because I don’t perceive any harm in seeing my own house...”

“Yes, countess. It is your own house. I procured it for you.”

“Then servant, demon, let us see my house.” Aksinya levered herself off the small couch and Natalya went to get her mink coat. Natalya tied it for Aksinya. Natalya put on the heavy woolen coat Aksinya gave her at their first meeting.

Asmodeus looks like a courtier.  Did you forget?  I tried to remind you with Natalya's response--she curtsies.  He looks like a demon to Aksinya.  The demon demands that Aksinya come visit her house.  She isn't very interested.  She knows the house will lead to problems for her.  How right she is, but she is still tempted anyway.  Natalya watches everything.  The demon gives a temptation to sorcery in the comment about concealment, but backs off quickly--remember, the reason for the house is so Aksinya may practice sorcery.  You should also note, the demon used the jewelry box incident to draw Aksinya to the house--she can't have the jewelry box in the dorms, only in the house. Still, Aksinya ignores the demon.  She makes excuses.  They are good ones.  Then the demon threatens Aksinya.  You knew it would get there eventually.  That is how the demon treats her when he gets to that point. There is a fine turn in the conversation about the demon threatening her and his response--when did he not threaten her.  This is a blatant lie and Aksinya picks up on it. 
 
About lies.  The demon doesn't lie all the time, but he lies a lot of the time and perhaps most of the time.  If you didn't notice, Aksinya never lies.  She is absolutely artless.  She couldn't hide a blemish especially her own.  We can't forget the cloaks.  Aksinya's and Natalya's are significant to them for different reasons.  This sets us up for the trip to the new house.

A New Novel, Part 74 The Jewelry Box

The demon again comes to Aksinya that evening.  This time he comes with a gift.  Isn't this demon clever?

In the middle of the night, a knock at Aksinya’s door woke her. She sat up and answered without thinking, “Come.”


The dark heavy shape of the demon entered her room. He was more massive in the darkness than she ever remembered, “Countess, as I promised, I brought your mother’s jewelry box. She had more than one. You were not specific so I brought the largest.”

Aksinya’s voice trembled, “That will be sufficient for now. What about my sister’s jewelry?”

“I have not been able to find it.”

Aksinya wanted to cry out, “You liar.” Instead she took a deep breath, “Bring it when you can find it.”

“Yes, Countess.” The demon still held the ornate box, “Where should I put it?”

Aksinya scooted toward the head of the bed, “Here on the bed.”

“It’s heavy.”

“Do I need to repeat myself? Place it on the bed.”

The demon’s fangs were evident in the light from the streetlamps. He might have been smiling. He placed the box near the middle of Aksinya’s bed. Then he stepped back, “You should not leave this in your room.”


“Why not, demon.”

He snarled, “Frau Drescher will find it.”

“Will she steal it?”

“I wish she would. That would be a definite sin. In any case, I do not wish any other undue attention toward you at this point. In this place, they worship your aristocracy. This is a pleasant little lust for all of them here. A little more mystery might enhance that mystique at some point, but not now.”

After Aksinya works on German with Natalya, she is sleeping.  The Demon waits, this time, for her summons.  Do you see how he is playing her.  At one moment demanding, the next responding as her servant.  All the demon's actions are intended to make Aksinya follow his purpose.  The play here, is we think the demon doesn't fully understand Aksinya's actions.  That is a reasonable thought.  I will go further and reveal, the demon can't read her mind.  I think I mentioned this before.  There are secrets Aksinya can hide from the demon, therefore, the demon's actions will be to try to force the secrets from her.  We will see some of these tricks later.  Right now, the demon is accommodating Aksinya because he believes this will aid in his purpose.  The demon doesn't realize that Aksinya intends to use the jewelry boxes to discover more of his bounds (weaknesses).

Aksinya trembles--it isn't in fear.  It is in excitement.  She will now know the answer to her question--can the demon touch or move evident crosses?  This is an incredibly important question to her.  The answer means that Aksinya might have another specific means to oppose the demon.  That's why the question about her sister's jewelry.  At that moment, Aksinya knows the truth.  The demon can't move an evident cross--therefore her reaction.

Now there is a set up for a problem for Aksinya.  You don't get to see it for a little.  The demon asks, where he can put the box.  Aksinya is so excited, she doesn't stop to think.  The demon's smile should have warned Aksinya.  Then Asmodeus tells her not to leave the jewelry box in her room.  We'll see more about this tomorrow, but you might wonder about the demons statement.  Aksinya does, she asks the obvious, but not the best question, and the demon's answer is Frau Drescher.

Then the wake up statement from Asmodeus that we will address from Aksinya tomorrow.  He wishes Frau Drescher would steal the jewelry, but that would cause undue attention toward Aksinya.  His point: they worship her aristocracy.  This is very evident, but the rest is interesting.  “This is a pleasant little lust for all of them here. A little more mystery might enhance that mystique at some point, but not now.”  This is interesting enough that Aksinya ponders it tomorrow. 

A New Novel, Part 43 The Arrival at the Gymnasium

So the situation is set.  Asmodeus manipulated every circumstance to bring Aksinya to a convent and girl's school in Austria.  We still don't have any idea what the demon's overall plan is.  He obviously thinks there is more opportunity for evil in this situation than in Russia.

They visited Sacré Coeur in the late morning the next day. Aksinya wore a wonderful gown Natalya had just finished fitting to her. Natalya had an appropriate matching dress that had come from Aksinya’s closet. Natalya could wear almost any of Aksinya’s clothes without fitting. They never fit Aksinya very well to begin with. Now, Aksinya wore nearly only those that had been her mother’s or her sister’s. Asmodeus insisted.


The weather was clear and cold. They rode in an elegant covered carriage, a coupe, from Aksinya’s uncle and aunt’s mansion to the convent and gymnasium at Sacré Coeur. They entered the center of Wien and arrived at a beautiful old catholic church with three attached buildings. The church appeared first. It was tall with a face decorated by stained glass. The bell tower stuck upward from the center. Connected directly to the church was another long building that was constructed in a more modern style. It was mostly sandy brick with long windows on the upper floor and shorter windows on the lower floor. A wide archway cut through the center of this building. Their driver turned the stylish coupe, through this archway. They entered a large retanguler courtyard. That’s when the other two buildings came within sight. On the other side of the courtyard was a building that appeared almost as old as the church. It was wood and stone and built in an archaic style. To the right, another building attached to the building that fronted the street and the older one across the courtyard. The building to the right was the newest. Within the courtyard, to the left across from this building the side of the church. It was as decorated with stained glass as the front.

When they entered the courtyard, Freifrau Bockmann began a running commentary, “Do you see Countess, the building along the street is the students’ dormitory. Most of the rooms front the courtyard. Across from that is the convent. They are both attached to the church. Between them and across from the church is the school... I mean the gymnasium. That is such a new term for me. It was always just a school when I attended there.”

The building between the convent and the dormetory had a fine facade. It looked like a school, but definitely one that taught the highest level of decorum. Over the double door in elegant script was the name, Sacré Coeur. The driver pulled directly before the door. A very officious appearing older woman and a tall nun stepped through the wide door to greet them.

This is mostly description punctuated with little tidbits of information.  I have to take this chapter to describe this place to the reader because this will the an important part of the story.  Much revolves around the school, convent, and the Bockmanns. 
 
The first point is that Aksinya's clothing is a choice of Asmodeus.  We've seen this before.  This time, he obviously chose it to impress.  When the clothing is described, it is exactly what a Countess would wear.  Note also that obviously Aksinya's clothing was sub par to her mother and sister.  You might expect that difference from her mother, but not her sister.  We also see that Aksinya's clothing never fit her well--isn't that interesting. 
 
The rest is simply the description of the buildings.  I usually have to work on this over and over.  I try to use the fewest words for description, but I want the reader to see what I describe.  This takes time and careful editing.