A New Novel, Part 227 I am Christ’s, Not Yours

19 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 227 I am Christ’s, Not Yours

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Asmodeus comes to visit Aksinya in the depths of the night...

Aksinya was breathless, “You let them murder my family?  You were sworn to obey me.”

“Never sworn to obey you.  I swore to do evil in your name.  You are such a fool, little girl.  You tried to negotiate with a demon.  My purpose is temptation and evil.  I have no other purpose in heaven or earth.”

“So… I see.”

“Too late.  Always they understand too late.”  Asmodeus stretched to his full height, “Ah, evil is so liberating, but you have chosen a different path, haven’t you.”

“I have chosen.”

“With all the pain and suffering you will know.  I could offer you life, liberty, freedom, sorcery.”

“It wouldn’t help my friends.”

“I could continue to lie to you and tell you it would.  Would that change your mind?”

“I have chosen.”

“I must be completely clear because I don’t wish to lose all the potential of evil within you.  If you determine to follow me, I will save you from all this pain and suffering.”

“But you won’t help my friends.”

“I will not help your friends or your enemies.  I offer you evil and only evil.”

“You offer me relief now and eternal suffering later.  Christ offers me suffering because of my own actions now and eternal life later.  In either case, I can’t help my friends…or my enemies, and I don’t wish to bring any more evil into the world.”

At the word, Christ, the demon cringed.  He frowned, “Very well.  You will not know peace until your dying day, and I shall reap your soul in any case.”

Aksinya’s teeth chattered, “You will not have my soul.  I am marked by Christ as His own.”

Asmodeus snarled, “Shut up, Countess.”

“I am His.  I am Christ’s.”

“Shut up.”

Aksinya hugged her naked body more closely.  The rosary pressed solidly against her chest.  She pulled it out and raised it up, “In spite of all the pain and suffering I might face because of this decision, I choose Christ.  You can’t do anything about that.  My mind is free of you.  I am Christ’s, not yours.  I can swear, and I can hold onto the promise that is mine.  I only wish I knew this before I knew you.  Begone.” 

At that moment Asmodeus was gone.  All that was left was an acrid stink.  Aksinya wondered if her confession had sent him away or something else.

Asmodeus, the demon, is tormenting Aksinya.  He told her he killed her family.  He restates his purpose--evil and temptation is his only purpose.  Then we get to the choice.  Aksinya has chosen something other than evil.  The demon tries to tempt Aksinya again.  The demon wants to be certain of Aksinya's choice--and I want you to hear it too.  The choice, to Aksinya, is Christ.  The demon promises that she will not know peace until your dying day.  He claims that he will reap her soul anyway.  Then we get the whole confession from Aksinya: “You will not have my soul.  I am marked by Christ as His own.”

This irritates the demon because he knows it is true--except the question of who owns her soul.  This question is still up in the air.  Aksinya confesses again (I don't want you to miss it): “In spite of all the pain and suffering I might face because of this decision, I choose Christ.  You can’t do anything about that.  My mind is free of you.  I am Christ’s, not yours."

At Aksinya's claim, the demon retreats.  Like I said, the question of the ownership of her soul is still in the air.  Further, the demon could still tempt her back to evil.  They still have a contract--it has not been negated.  Tomorrow, the morning.

A New Novel, Part 226 My Purpose is Temptation and Evil

18 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 226 My Purpose is Temptation and Evil

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Asmodeus comes to visit Aksinya in the depths of the night...

He laughed, “I have no more instructions to give you, alleged Countess.  I’m here to steal all hope away from you.”

Aksinya pressed her lips tightly shut.

“You will never be rid of me, but now, I can torment you as I desire.”

“You lie.  You may only torment the guilty, and I am confessed and forgiven.”

Aksinya heard a slight change in the tone of Asmodeus’ voice, “I warned you not to confess.  I still have power over the world, and the world will do my work for me well.”  He stuck out his hand and pulled it back.

The dress Aksinya wore slipped off her body.  At the door, the demon held it in his fist.

“There, alleged Countess, the night is cold.  Your cell is colder.  This dress shall keep until the morrow.”  He threw it far down the corridor where Aksinya could never retrieve it.  “I can still torment you, but I don’t need to torment you.  That was never my plan.  I sought to bring everyone around you down to your level.  Already my plans have come to a wonderful harvest.  It is a harvest you shall reap for me.  Could you imagine that you would see the ruin of everything you hold dear?  You don’t need to imagine it, because you will soon live it.  Everyone you touched will be harmed.  Little girl, you don’t have any idea the havoc you have wrought in this world—soon you will know all.”   

Aksinya huddled naked and shivering in the corner of the bench and the wall.

“This is usually the time you threaten me, alleged Countess.  Why so quiet?”

“Because speaking will do no good.  It never did any good before.  The only thing that matters anymore is that I am confessed and forgiven.”

“What about your friends?”

“For them…for them.”

“Hah, don’t say you are willing to die.”

Tears trickled down the sides of Aksinya’s cheeks, “I cannot say that.  I am not willing to die for them.  I wish I was able, but I am not.”

“That is your problem.  You were willing to release a demon to protect your family, but you would not have died for any of them.  Let me tell you a secret, alleged Countess.  I killed your family.  I killed them all.  If you wondered at your injuries when you traveled with me from your cellar to your family’s estate, they came about because you helped me bring about the deaths of your own family.  I delayed just long enough between heaven and earth so the Bolsheviks would have the time to do their dirty work.  You were marked with the touch of hell in the place where time has no meaning.  Already you have been to hell; therefore, you should embrace your new home with even greater fervor.”

Aksinya was breathless, “You let them murder my family?  You were sworn to obey me.”

“Never sworn to obey you.  I swore to do evil in your name.  You are such a fool, little girl.  You tried to negotiate with a demon.  My purpose is temptation and evil.  I have no other purpose in heaven or earth.”

Asmodeus has come to torment Aksinya--he has shown this behaviour over and over.  He has come to steal all hope from her.  When Aksinya tells the demon he can't torment her because she is forgiven, the demon's tone changes slightly because he may not be able to use his power and physically torment her, but he can use his words and the power of the world to torment her.  He takes her clothes and now she is naked in the cold.  She was cold before, now she is colder.  Do you remember how sensitive to the cold Aksinya is?

Asmodeus tells her, it was never his plan to torment her.  His plan was to torment everyone around her.  Perhaps he is lying, but that doesn't matter, the suffering of Aksinya's friends is a torment to her.  The demon tells her, she will see the ruin of everything she holds dear.  She doesn't understand the suffering she has wrought--soon she will know.

The demon knows her well--usually Aksinya returns the demon's attack at this point.  But Aksinya has learned.  It does no good--it never did any good.  The truth is that: "The only thing that matters anymore is that I am confessed and forgiven.”

The demon isn't finished.  He has more torment to bring her.  It's about Aksinya's friends.  Told you.

Aksinya isn't much different than most of us--she isn't willing to die for another.  She isn't willing to die for her friends.  The demon uses this against her.  He has more to use against her.  He begins his torment with the truth about Aksinya's family.  Asmodeus allowed them to be killed.  He could have protected them, but he didn't and had no intention of protecting them.  Ultimately, calling the demon gave absolutely no benefit to Aksinya.  If you imagined anything positive from it, this confession from Asmodeus completely destroys that idea.

Aksinya doesn't understand.  She states: "You were sworn to obey me.”  Asmodeus clears that up quickly: “Never sworn to obey you.  I swore to do evil in your name.  You are such a fool, little girl.  You tried to negotiate with a demon.  My purpose is temptation and evil.  I have no other purpose in heaven or earth.”  He told her that before--was she not listening?  Tomorrow, more from the demon.

A New Novel, Part 225 I Can Torment You as I Desire

17 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 225 I Can Torment You as I Desire

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Her jailer is an old woman who left her water and gruel as her supper.  Aksinya tries to sleep...

A heavy sound woke her.  She raised her head.  She didn’t dare speak.  Then she heard it again.  It sounded like the slap of a bare foot against stone.  She caught a whiff of sulfur in the air.  In the darkness, a large dark figure stood outside her door.

Aksinya shivered and trembled at the same time.

Asmodeus voice thick with mocking amusement tumbled out of the darkness.  Aksinya was so used to seeing his lips curl up over his fangs, she wasn’t certain if she could see them or she just imagined them in the darkness.  The demon chuckled, “Dear alleged Countess what a terrible predicament you find yourself in.”

Aksinya stared at him.

“Didn’t I warn you not to confess?  Didn’t I tell you to not seek out the Church.”  He spat the word.  “You sought to resist me.  That was a new experience for me.  None of my previous masters ever tried to fight against me before.  But that doesn’t matter.  There is no hope for you now.”

“There was never any hope for me from the beginning, was there, demon?”

“Ah, the little girl finally speaks.  Yes, you are right.  There never was any hope for you.”

“Why are you here now demon.  Have you come to give me more instructions or did you just come to torment me.”

He laughed, “I have no more instructions to give you, alleged Countess.  I’m here to steal all hope away from you.”

Aksinya pressed her lips tightly shut.

“You will never be rid of me, but now, I can torment you as I desire.”

“You lie.  You may only torment the guilty, and I am confessed and forgiven.”

We all seek resolutions.  This is one such time.  It is a rich time in a novel when we can begin to see what has transpired outside the stag we see.  Asmodeus visits the prisoner, Aksinya.  How ironic is this--to be visited by a demon in the house of the Cardinal.  Did you note that the demon could not enter a church or an Ecclesia, but he freely enters the house of a Cardinal--oh well.

Perhaps Akisinya's reaction is too much.  I wanted you to note that she is cold--in this scene, I don't want you to forget, but I want you to know that she is filled with fear.  She should be.  I show you how dark it is, still Aksinya imagines the expressions of the demon--they are horrible.  You can imagine them with her. 

His first address to her: “Dear alleged Countess what a terrible predicament you find yourself in.”  With these words, you know he takes credit for leaving the impression she is not really a countess and with her entire predicament.  He is trying to be amusing.

First he attacks her confession.  Isn't that the first thing the newly confessed think.  When everything doesn't work out, they ask, why did I confess?  Then the Church itself.  It hasn't helped Aksinya?  Has it?  That is the impression the demon tries to leave.

Second, he reminds her, she resisted him.  There is no hope for her because she resisted the evil of Asmodeus and she sought confession and the church.  But listen to Aksinya's words.  She does understand now.  It wasn't her resistance, it wasn't her confession, it wasn't the Church--there was no hope from the beginning.  We knew this.  If we didn't, we guessed it.  There was no hope while Aksinya wallowed in sorcery, luxuria, with a demon in contract with her.  The only problem is she still has a contract with Asmodeus.

Note how the demon addresses her, this will be important in the future--little girl.  And Aksinya's observation, "Have you come to give me more instructions or did you just come to torment me.”  Of course, the demon came to torment her--that is his purpose.  He told her that before.  Then the part that implies her contract: “You will never be rid of me, but now, I can torment you as I desire.”

Aksinya hopes this is not true.  She grasps at what she knows is truth.  The fact that she is confessed and forgiven, is it enough?  We know it is likely not.  Tomorrow, more from the demon.

A New Novel, Part 224 She Tried to Sleep

16 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 224 She Tried to Sleep

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Her jailer is an old woman...

Before the room darkened completely the old woman brought a small bowl to the door and shoved it through the low rectangular hole at the bottom that was made for that purpose.  She pushed a second bowl more gently under the door.  She rose expectantly in front of the lattice, “Don’t be slow, sorceress.  Push the slopjar under the door.  I’ll empty it.”

Aksinya shook her head, “I haven’t used it.”

“I will only empty it once a day.  When you are finished push the bowls back under the door.  I’ll see you in the morning.”  Aksinya noted the old woman’s laughter as she made her way down the corridor.  She heard a heavy door open and shut.  A metal lock turned.

Before every trace of light drained from the room, Aksinya stumbled to the bowls.  One held a congealed mass of thick cooked wheat cereal.  It wasn’t seasoned at all.  The other was filled with water.  Aksinya took a long drink of the water.  She stuck her fingers into the hardened cereal and felt the last remnants of warmth.  She ate it all and washed it down with the remaining water.  Then she curled up on the bench and tried to sleep.

I hope your view of Akisnya has changed just as Aksinya has changed.  She has nothing now.  She is paying a penance for her wrong and will pay more.  The price of her actions is high.  She has come a long way from the pampered princess in a private Catholic school.  She once had hope and now she begs for blankets and warmth.

There isn't much commentary to give in the following transition.  It moves Aksinya from the day with her jailer to the night with hunger, cold, and perhaps a visitation.  Tomorrow, the night.

A New Novel, Part 223 The Rosary Won't Do You Any Good

15 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 223  The Rosary Won't Do You Any Good

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell under the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Her jailer is an old woman...

Aksinya took a breath, “I am very cold.  Could you get me a blanket?”

The woman ignored her request.

“Why am I here?”

A cackle with the undertone of a tremble came from the woman, “You know why you are here.  You are a sorceress.”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“I shall not remain here during the night, that’s certain.  During the day, there are many just outside these corridors who will come to my aid.  At night, the guards are men and the corridor is locked.  They molest you at their own risk.”

“Would they?”

“You are young though ugly.  The darkness brings out the beauty of any woman—so I’ve been told.”

Aksinya backed to the bench and pulled her feet up under her dress.  She hugged her arms around her knees and began to recite the rosary.

The woman’s voice was filled with humor, “The rosary.  That’s fine to pray, but it won’t do you any good.  From what I hear, the Pope’s sent his inquisitors.  They’ll expose all your guilt and then some.

Aksinya kept praying.

The old woman guarding Aksinya is particularly obnoxious.  I wrote her that way on purpose.  She represents the entire attitude of the Cardinal.  By the way, we won't see the Cardinal again.  He doesn't wish to dirty his hands with Aksinya.  He makes her a problem for others--just as he sent for the inquisitors.

The woman is cruel.  Aksinya asks why she is in a cell.  She knows why, but conversation, when you are cold, hungry and have nothing else to do is better than nothing. 

The old woman states the fact that Aksinya is a sorceress as though it is an absolute truth.  We know the accusation is true, but there is not even the sense of fairness here.  Aksinya is amused though she is anything but comfortable.  Through the rest of the conversation, we see that the old woman (and the rest) believe Aksinya is a sorceress.  The old woman warns Aksinya about the men.  Her response is particularly threatening and cruel:  “You are young though ugly.  The darkness brings out the beauty of any woman—so I’ve been told.”

This is enough for Aksinya--she tries to keep warm and begins to recite her rosary.  The old woman's response tells us more about what we already know: the Pope’s sent his inquisitors.  They’ll expose all your guilt and then some.  The point is the "then some."  We know what that means.  We know what an eccesiastical court in a charged atmosphere can lead to.  Tomorrow, the night begins.

A New Novel, Part 222 You Must Never Forget This

14 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 222 You Must Never Forget This 

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

Aksinya is locked in a cold dark cell.  Her jailer is an old woman...

Aksinya stood.  Her legs almost buckled, and she took an involuntary step to keep from falling down.  The floor was stone.  It was freezing through her thin shoes.  She regained her balance and stumbled to the lattice work door.  She gazed out into the corridor.  She couldn’t see very far, but beside the door sat an old woman in a thick habit.  The woman was sewing.  She didn’t look up at Aksinya, “You finally awake, deary?”

Aksinya stared at the woman.

“I expect you’re hungry.”

Aksinya licked her lips.

“You slept through breakfast, so there won’t be anything for you until supper.”

Aksinya cleared her throat, “May I have tea?”

“Tea for the likes of you?  I don’t think so.”

“Water then.”

“It will just make you need to pee, and I don’t have a mind to clean up your mess more than I need to.”

“Who are you?”

The woman laughed, “I don’t need to tell you anything.  I’m your jailor.  That’s enough for you to know.  If you don’t cause me any problems, I will ensure your stay is not harmful to you.  If you cause me problems, I will make your life miserable.”

“Where am I?”

“There is no harm in telling you that.  Perhaps you can guess…”  The woman glanced up at Aksinya.

Aksinya shook her head.        

“No…then you are in the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.”

“He would be the Archbishop.”

The woman’s voice tightened, and she shook her needle at Aksinya, “He is officially a Cardinal.  You must never forget this.”

I repeated the last paragraph from yesterday.  An old woman is Aksinya's jailer.  She wears a habit, but we will find she is just a servant in the house.  Listen to how the old woman taunts Aksinya.  Aksinya is indeed hungry--she hasn't eaten all day.  Aksinya asks for tea.  At least in the Ecclesia, when they didn't have food, they had tea.  Aksinya then asks for water.  Water will fill a belly for a little while.  You might ask what kind of cleaning--the chamber pot isn't clean at all.

Since Aksinya can't get anything to eat or drink, she turns the conversation to the woman and where she is.  We learn that she is in the residence of the Cardinal of Wien.  Aksinya had met the Cardinal before at the Advent party.  She knows he is a Cardinal, but he also has the official position as as archbishop and not a cardinal.  The Cardinal of Wien is not a full Cardinal.  This statement is intended to show that Aksinya is very smart about these things, let the readers in on a historical bit of information, be a joke on the Cardinal, and incite the old woman.  Tomorrow, more of Aksinya's stay.

A New Novel, Part 221 You Finally Awake, Deary?

13 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 221 You Finally Awake, Deary?

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

The Catholic Church inquisitors have arrested Aksinya. Aksinya collapses in the street in front of Sacré Coeur...

Aksinya awoke with a start to a persistent chill. Her hands were cold and her feet were cold. Her ears and nose were cold. She tried to pull herself into a ball. The surface where she lay was hard and freezing, and she had nothing under her or to cover herself.


Her teeth chattered. The room was filled with gloom. She scrutinized the place. It wasn’t so dark that she couldn’t make out anything, but there was an almost permanent twilight. At the top of the high wooden walls a frosted pane allowed a degree of light inside. It wasn’t much light, but the day, Aksinya remembered, had been bleak.

She lay on a hard wooden bench. It was just long and wide enough for her to lie flat, but would be very uncomfortable for a normal sized man. She rose up on one arm. A putrid smell came to her through the cold still air. She peered under the bench. A chamber pot lay under it. The pot wasn’t very clean. The walls of the very small room were close. The space was so small the bench completely filled one end.

Aksinya sat up the rest of the way and stared around her. The walls behind and on either side were uniform dark wood. In front of her was a wide door made of a thick wooden lattice. The wood looked very sturdy. The lattice was open but stout. The lattice door meant she had absolutely no privacy. Anyone who entered the hallway outside the door could observe her.

Aksinya stood. Her legs almost buckled, and she took an involuntary step to keep from falling down. The floor was stone. It was freezing through her thin shoes. She regained her balance and stumbled to the lattice work door. She gazed out into the corridor. She couldn’t see very far, but beside the door sat an old woman in a thick habit. The woman was sewing. She didn’t look up at Aksinya, “You finally awake, deary?”

We know generally where the inquisitors took Aksinya--the Cardinal's house in Wien.  Aksinya was cold and now she's colder.  They put her into a cold cell in the basement.  The cold isn't so unusual in this time or in this place--the fact they didn't leave her with a blanket is slightly cruel for the same time and especially the place.

There are no electric or gaslights for prisoners.  The cell is dark.  Notice, I haven't referred to it as a cell yet.  I give you a scene setting for the time--note Akisnya guesses it is the same day.  Then I give you a picture of the cell itself.  I bring in all your senses.  You know the feel, the light, the smell (there is a chamber pot--that's the way prisoners went to the bathroom).  The historical importance of details is found in something as simple as a dirty chamber pot.

Do you remember how private Aksinya is (was).  Even in the Ecclesia, she had her place.  Now she is in a place that is not private at all. Then Aksinya stands to investigate her prison.  I don't need to tell you she is weak.  Her keeper sits right outside the door and addresses her.  Tomorrow, a conversation with her guard.

A New Novel, Part 220 She is Well

12 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 220 She is Well

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

The Catholic Church inquisitors have arrested Aksinya.  The Reverend Mother and Sister Margarethe greet Aksinya on the street before Sacré Coeur...

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

Sister Margarethe put her arms around Aksinya and held her close.  She turned her head toward the Reverend Mother, “The girl is freezing.  Do you have a coat for her, Father?”

“I am an archinquisitor, Sister.  Unhand the woman, we are taking her to the Cardinal’s residence.”

Aksinya whispered, “Where is the Lady Natalya?”

Archinquisitor Gallo grabbed Sister Margarethe’s arm, “Let go of her or you will incriminate yourself, Sister.”

The Reverend Mother took a step backward toward the doors of Sacré Coeur.

Sister Margarethe held more tightly to Aksinya.  She turned her head toward the Archinquisitor, “She is just a girl—not more than a child.”

Aksinya whispered again, “Where is the Lady Natalya?”

Sister Margarethe put her lips close to Aksinya’s ear, “I will tell you later.”

Aksinya wailed, “There will be no later for us to speak—tell me.”

Archinquisitor Gallo tugged at Sister Margarethe, “She is right she will be held in isolation for everyone’s protection.”

Sister Margarethe’s voice trembled, “She is with Herr von Taaffe.”

“Is she well?”

Sister Margarethe grasped Aksinya more tightly, “She is well.”

      As though Aksinya waited only for those words, she relaxed in Inquisitor Esposito’s grasp.  He almost let go.  Only Sister Margarethe’s embrace prevented her from pitching forward to the cobblestones that were nearly as cold as she was.

The Archinquisitor warns the Reverend Mother not to show respect to Aksinya.  In spite of this warning, the Sister Margarethe embraces Aksinya.  Remember how much she loves Aksinya.  She only has concern for Aksinya's needs.  Then through the dialog, I tell you more about what will happen.  They are taking Aksinya to the Cardinal's residence.

Aksinya takes this moment to ask the question most important to her: “Where is the Lady Natalya?”  The Archinquisitor then tells us more about how things will go--let go of Aksinya or you will incriminate yourself.  I'm sorry, I can't write about good inquisitors--there is no such thing.  This warning frightens the Reverend Mother, but not Sister Margarethe.  While the Reverend Mother backs off, Sister Margarethe holds more tightly.  She even defends Aksinya.  This is the epitome of showing and not telling.

Aksinya won't be put off.  She is facing her punishment, but she wants to know the answer to her important question: “Where is the Lady Natalya?”  Watch how I build the tension.  Sister Margarethe says she will tell her later.  Aksinya understands how these things work--there will be no later.  Through this I get to show you more about what will happen to Aksinya.  The Archinquisitor tells us:  “She is right she will be held in isolation for everyone’s protection.” 

Sister Margarethe answers Aksinya's question.  Where is Natalya: “She is with Herr von Taaffe.”  Notice, the Sister's voice trembles (why would that be).  Aksinya wants to know more: “Is she well?”  Then we find some part of the answer: “She is well.”

Okay, I don't intend the next event to be a cliche.  Aksinya is cold, she hasn't eaten, she has faced double arrest, and she just heard her friend she thought was dead is well.  She conks out.  I think this fits.  It think it makes a great transition too.  Tomorrow, you will see to what.

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

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

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

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

Aksinya was trembling.  She shuffled her feet again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A New Novel, Part 218 You Have Been Accused of Sorcery

10 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 218 You Have Been Accused of Sorcery

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

Aksinya is in the street before her house.  Two men are removing all her goods from the house, and she is surrounded by police officers and priests.  The policemen have just told her she is under arrest...

“Under what charge?”

At that moment, the two priests stepped up to them.  They stood close behind Aksinya, but not too close.  Aksinya stepped back a little and rotated so she could address all of them together.  The taller priest had a thin and nervous face.  His eyes were piercing.  He wore a thick woolen cloak over his shoulders, but that didn’t hide the collar and dark robes under it.  The other priest was dressed similarly, but his face was less tense and a little rounder.

The tall priest sniffed and jerked his head up.  His German was tinged with a heavy Italian accent, “Who are you, officer?”

“I am Captain Gerber and this is Sergeant Nagel.  We are here to arrest the alleged Countess Golitsyna.  And you?”

“I am Archinquisitor Gallo and this is Inquisitor Esposito.  We are also here to arrest the alleged Countess.”  The Archinquisitor sniffed, “Is this she?”

Captain Gerber frowned, “She has made that claim.”

“Then it is simple.  We will take the Fraulein into our custody.”

Aksinya snarled, “Inquisitors?  Take me into custody?  What do you mean?”

Archinquisitor Gallo sniffed again, “It is always the same with these people.  They never imagine they have done anything wrong.”

Aksinya ducked her head, “I know I am guilty of much wrong, but I would like to know exactly what I am accused of.”

The Archinquisitor let out a slight smile, “Well that’s refreshing.  This should make things easy.  The main charge against you Fraulein Golitsyna, if that is your real name…”

“Of course it is my real name.”

“Hum, as I was saying before you rudely interrupted me.  You have been accused of sorcery.  That is the main charge.”

Aksinya’s hand rose to her cheek, “The main charge?”

“There are many others.”

“But I am Orthodox… You have no jurisdiction over me.”

“You claim to be a member of the nobility.  You have been a student in our Catholic schools.  You have made claims within the framework of the Austrian aristocracy.  Your actions have affected members of the church and its leadership.  We are allowed under the laws of this empire and the Catholic Church to accuse you and try you.  This is well established in law.  We also possess authority above that of the secular authorities.  Captain Gerber, you may have her following our trial.  For now, we will take the Fraulein into our custody.”

Captain Gerber wasn’t so easily cowed, “This is highly irregular, Father.  I need to check with my superiors.”

“You may check all you will, but I have both a secular warrant and an ecclesiastical one.  Inquisitor Esposito, the documents please.”

     The Inquisitor brought out a case with papers, riffled through it, and pulled out an official looking document with church seals on it.  He pulled out another with the seals of the Austrian courts.  He handed both to the Captain.

Did you wonder if things could get any worse for Aksinya?  Father Dobrushin told her not to leave the Ecclesia.  He didn't have any idea this would happen, but the logical flow is spectacular.  The police were watching for her.  The priests were watching for her.  And these aren't normal priests--these are inquisitors.  Did you wonder if there were still inquisitors in the Catholic Church--well, there are.  I'm am not taking any liberties at all here.

Note, in the scene setting, I describe the priests to you.  I use the priests to introduce you to the policemen.  We will see them again--yes, we will.  Likewise, I use the policemen to introduce the priests to you.  Isn't this a fun use of showing and not telling.  If you watch, they all ignore Aksinya.

Aksinya isn't happy with being arrested by either group.  Listen to the Archinquisitor's response, and more telling, Aksinya's.  Aksinya has come to terms with herself--do you remember why she came here in the first place--she wishes to accept her just punishment.  The Archinquisitor treats Aksinya like a thing or a child.  I intentionally made him to not be nice.  Inquisitors just can't be nice--it's not allowed.

Aksinya has a good point, but she is Orthodox and the Archinquisitor is right--all the things he mentions gives them authority to try her under the Catholic Church.  The Orthodox Church might have something to say about it, but do you think they will ask?  By the way, none of this is made up.  This was established law at the time.  This law was similar in all Catholic nations.  All the laws and legal procedures I will show you in this book are 100% accurate for the times.  The inquisitors have all the documents they need to take Aksinya into custody.  Now, think of this.  Even if Aksinya can somehow get out of an eccesiastical trial, she still has to face some kind of secular action--the police have a warrant for her too.  At this point, we don't know what it is, you might guess.  Tomorrow, Aksinya is taken into custody.

A New Novel, Part 217 I Have a Warrant for Your Arrest

9 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 217 I Have a Warrant for Your Arrest

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

Aksinya is in the street before her house.  Willi, the man who went around the dray to check on the horses returns...

Willi came back around the dray. He had a large grin on his face. He smirked, “Done and done, Helmut. Is it really her?”

“Don’t know. I didn’t think she would be so ugly or look like a drudge.”

Aksinya balled her fists and swung back toward them, “What’s done?”

Willi called around the dray, “She’s over here, officers.”

Two senior police officers came around the dray on the street side. They glanced first at the other carriage. Aksinya followed their eyes. She shuffled her feet to warm them a little. She wasn’t very successful. A familiar voice caused her to turn toward Sacré Coeur again.

At the entrance to the school, Frau Drescher stood just inside the door. She pointed toward Aksinya. When the priests began to walk toward Aksinya, Frau Drescher turned and yanked the heavy door shut again.

The policemen stepped up to Aksinya. They both frowned at Helmut and Willi. The two repossessors ducked their heads and walked back toward the house. They both stopped before they moved out of earshot and turned to hear what the officers had to say to Aksinya.

The policemen were both well groomed and handsomely uniformed. Aksinya wasn’t certain about their ranks, but she had the impression they were both high ranking. The older policemen didn’t nod he simply addressed Aksinya, “Are you the alleged Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.”

“Alleged. I’ve heard that twice already. I am the Countess Golitsyna.”

“If that is true, then Fraulein Golitsyna, I have a warrant for your arrest.”

“Under what charge?”

It is not so unusual today that the poor and the workers look forward to the righteous punishment of the wealthy and the affluent.  In this period, the nobility entered into that group of those who might face censure. 

What surprises both Helmut and Willi is that Aksinya looks like them.  She looks like a drudge.  You'd think they would have some compassion for her--but that wasn't to be.  Then we see what Willi did--he brought the police who were looking for Aksinya. 

If you remember, there is another carriage blocking the street.  This one came from the south.  The policemen came from the north.  Aksinya is cold.  She follows the gaze of the policemen and notes that Frau Drescher is directing a couple of priests.  Do you remember the dark figure who left the school to go south? 

So Aksinya is surrounded.  Up the street are two policemen and down the street are two priests.  Would you like to guess what they are all after? 

First, I give you a short description of the policemen.  The older one doesn't acknowledge Aksinya's potential rank--he just addresses her.  Look at his address: “Are you the alleged Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.”  I told you already the demon would take everything from Aksinya--we can see he is trying to take her title from her.  Aksinya will literally have nothing, but it will get worse--don't worry. 

Aksinya asks about the charges for her arrest--we shall see tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 216 They Told You to Watch for Me?

8 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 216 They Told You to Watch for Me?

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

Aksinya is in the street before her house speaking with a man who is removing all her families goods from her house.  The bills haven't been paid and her creditors have required recompense...

The man did smile at that, “You? Who are you?”


Aksinya lowered her head. Her voice was very low, “I am the Countess Golitsyna.”

The man’s laughter filled the street, “I find that hard to believe, but we were told to watch for a young woman who came to the house and claimed to be a countess.”

She raised her head, “They told you to watch for me?”

The man shut his mouth. He shrugged and shoved the paper back into his coat. After a moment, he announced a little too loudly, “When she is found, the alleged Countess will be in debtor’s prison for a long time. It serves her right for trying to fool everyone.”

“I…I didn’t.” The sound of heavy hooves and wooden wheels come from behind Aksinya. She turned around. A large carriage moved up the street behind her. It stopped quickly and a couple of men in priestly robes stepped from it into the street. Their eyes swept over Aksinya and the large man behind her. They ignored her and stepped toward the entrance of the school. The doors had not been opened yet that morning. The taller priest struck the door with his staff. Aksinya stood frozen in place. She was suddenly very cold. She had no coat and had not eaten anything since last evening. The day was above freezing, but not much.

The priests stood at the doors to Sacré Coeur. The taller priest paced in front of the large doors. The shorter tapped his staff impatiently against the ground. There was a long moment until the door opened. Before Aksinya could note what went on at the doorway, she heard another coach approach from the other side of the dray. She wondered with apprehension how all this would end up. The dray blocked the street so either of the carriages would have problems if they tried to maneuver around it. The coaches might be too large to pass each other comfortably too.

Aksinya thought she had problems before--now she has real problems.  Do you remember, Father Dobrushin told her not to leave the Ecclesia, but Aksinya felt that she had too.  She believes she must face the just punishment for her wrongdoing.
 
Helmut tells Aksinya he and Willi were told to watch for her.  One guess where Willi went.  Helmut goes on to tell Aksinya that she will be going to debtor's prison for a long time. Before Willi returns, a carriage comes up the street behind Aksinya.
 
Two priests get out of the carriage.  Aksinya appears like a cleaning woman to them, they ignore her at first.  I remind you that she hasn't eaten, and she is cold. 
 
The priests received some kind of summons or message--they are looking for something at the school.  What do you think it is.  While the priests are trying to get into the school, another carriage comes down the street on the other side of the dray.  Now, who could that be?  The moment Aksinya gets out of the safety of the Ecclesia and her friends there, she falls under immediate problems.  Tomorrow, more difficulties.

A New Novel, Part 215 The Bills Must all Be Paid

7 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 215 The Bills Must all Be Paid

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

Aksinya ran away from the Ecclesia. Two men are taking the furniture out of her house.  She is speaking to them.  One of them has gone to check on the horses...

Helmut’s lips rose over his teeth again. It wasn’t a smile.


Aksinya reached for the paper.

Helmut pulled it back. His frown deepened, “Please don’t touch it. It is an official document.”

Aksinya moved a little closer to the paper. Under her breath, she read the document, “There is a list of litigants and claimants.” Her voice filled with dismay, “The list is very long. It says, that because the alleged Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna is in arrears for…,” she gasped.

“Is there something wrong?”

“The amount is so large.”

The man made a loud huff under his breath, “That is why the directive tells us to take everything from the house. It still won’t be enough to pay for it all.”

Aksinya wailed, “You will take everything I own, and it still won’t be enough.”

Helmut’s nose twitched, “It won’t be enough at all.”

“What about my jewelry?”

“We haven’t seen any jewelry. Perhaps the previous repossessors removed it.”

Aksinya’s eyes widened, “But my father’s money.”

The man’s face twitched again, “I heard it was all Russian. It isn’t worth the paper it is printed on any more.”

“But I have nothing else.”

“I understand there were loans too. They must all be paid.”

“What will I do?”

The man did smile at that, “You? Who are you?”

Aksinya is speaking with Helmut one of the men moving the furniture from her house.  Helmut shows Aksinya a directive that gives him authority to remove the furniture.  Aksinya reads the paper and discovers that it claims she owes a very large amount.  Helmut tells her all the furniture in the house won't be enough to pay the bills.  Aksinya's cry: “You will take everything I own, and it still won’t be enough.”  For a person who was driven by luxuria, this is an exquisite torture.  Aksinya will have nothing left at all.  Aksinya asks about her jewelry, and her father's money--it is all gone.  Aksinya has nothing left and yet, the man tells her there will be more to pay. 

At the end, the man asks who she is.  He guesses, but do you remember what Aksinya appears like?  She looks like a cleaning woman.  Tomorrow, who are you?

A New Novel, Part 214 The Bills Haven't Been Paid

6 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 214 The Bills Haven't Been Paid

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

Aksinya ran away from the Ecclesia.  She makes her way back to the street where her house and the school are...

The moment Aksinya stepped into the street that served both Sacré Coeur and her house, the fog seemed to rise. She didn’t need to see, she had the stone wall to guide her. Her fingertips were frozen and she couldn’t feel the wall anymore, but she still knew it was there. She continued along it toward her house. As she moved closer, she noticed for the first time a large dray outside it. Some furniture sat at the back of the moving carriage. A few pieces were stacked inside it. Most of it was out in the street. Two men exited her house. They carried one of her chairs. Aksinya recognized it immediately. It was the floral one her father had liked so much. It was very well made and the fabric was Damascus silk. Aksinya removed her hand from the guiding wall and hurried her steps.


Her attention was centered on the men at her house, so she didn’t notice the dark figure who moved from the entrance of Sacré Coeur when she passed and headed back the direction she had come. A wiff of sulfur halted her for a moment then she continued.

Aksinya stopped breathless before the two men. They paused and put down the chair. One was tall and heavy with large features and a swollen nose as though he had been struck there many times. The other was a thin younger man with straggleing greasy hair and protruding teeth. They didn’t smile, but they did wait for a moment to allow Aksinya to catch her breath.

Finally, she forced out, “What are you doing in my house?”

“Your house?” the larger man spoke. His lips rose over his teeth, but he didn’t smile, “We’re removing the goods.”

“But why?”

“The bills haven’t been paid.”

“Not paid? But they were…They were all paid.”

The younger man leaned on the back of the chair. The large man stuck his dirty hand into his coat and brought out an official looking paper. He didn’t give it to Aksinya, but held it up at arms length so she could see it.

The younger man’s voice was slightly high pitched, “Helmut, why are you taking the time to show that to her? We have work to do. She’s just a putzfrau, a cleaning woman.”

“Halt Mal , Willi. Don’t you remember our instructions?” He made a gesture behind his back.

The younger man scratched his head, “You don’t mean.” He glanced meaningfully at Aksinya.

“I’ll let her read the ruling. You check the horses,” he turned around and winked.

“Oh,” Willi nodded, “I’ll check on the horses.”

Helmut’s lips rose over his teeth again. It wasn’t a smile.

Aksinya makes her way back to her house.  The way wasn't so difficult.  When she gets there, a large carriage is there.  A dray is a transport carriage.  They are usually enclosed.  They are used for carrying heavy loads.  Two men are removing the goods from her house.  When Aksinya sees this, she runs the rest of the way to her house to confront the men.  While she is running a dark figure who was hiding at the entrance to the school sneaks the other direction.  I don't leave you to guess who this person is, the whiff of sulfur should make it clear.  Aksinya stops at the smell, but continues.  She doesn't see the figure and can't connect the two events--I want you to connect them.
 
I give you a short description of the men who are carrying the furniture from Aksinya's house.  Then, we find out what is going on.  You should have expected it.  You should have guessed it.  They have been at their work for more than one day.  Aksinya chanced upon them in the middle of their work.  The bills have not been paid on the house, therefore the creditors are taking Aksinya's property.  These are the things of Aksinya's family.  They have belonged to them for generations.  This is the luxuria that Aksinya loves, yet all in a moment, they are gone.  This is the revenge of Asmodeus.  He promised to take away everything important to her.  He has taken Natalya, Ernst, Sister Margaretha, sorcery, the goods and wealth of Aksinya's family, her education.
 
Aksinya looks so different from the past, the younger mover thinks Aksinya is a putzfrau, a cleaning woman.  So far has Aksinya fallen from where she once was.  There is something going on here too.  Helmut signals Willi to check the horses, but there must be more to it than that.  Helmut shows Aksinya an official paper.  Tomorrow, what the paper said.