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.