A New Novel, Part 274 I Have No Household

5 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 274 I Have No Household

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 on trial in Wien, Austria.  The presiding judge found Aksinya not guilty of the fraud charges against her.  He did so because her debt had already been paid.  The judge released the court for lunch, where Aksinya and Father Dobrushin have an interesting conversation.  Following lunch, the court reconvenes.  Aksinya and Father Dobrushin return to the courtroom...

Just before one o’clock, Sergeant Nagel escorted them back to the courtroom.  They returned to their seats and waited for the rest of the court to gather.

Directly at one, behind the large desk, two judges came through the door at the right and two judges through the door at the left.  The bailiff of the court struck his staff against the floor, “Hear ye, hear ye, this Schöffengericht is reconvened in the name of Emperor Charles the first of Austria and the Republic of German Austria.  I present again The Honorable Gustav Richter, The Honorable Artur Kuester, Lay Judge Albert Vogler, and Lay Judge Oscar Amsel.  May the justice of the Lord God Almighty reign in all the affairs of men.” 

Judge Richter started up immediately, “The focus of this afternoon are the charges of assault and battery against Princess Aksinya.  The first witness whom I wish to call is the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.  Sergeant Nagel.”

In a couple of minutes, Natalya followed Sergeant Nagel into the courtroom.  She walked with excellent posture, but one of her shoulders drooped a little lower than the other.

Aksinya gave a little cry when she saw Natalya.  Natalya’s eyes lit up.  She ran to Aksinya and curtsied to the floor.  Aksinya took Natalya’s hand and lifted her up.  She stood and embraced Natalya.  Aksinya kissed Natalya’s cheeks.  They were wet with tears.

Judge Richter cleared his throat a couple of times.  He rolled his eyes.  Finally he said something, “Herr Lopuhin, this is highly irregular.”  He paused, “But…yes, I understand.”  He sighed and slumped back into his seat.

Natalya cried, “They wouldn’t let me see you.  I begged and begged, but they said you were in jail.”

Aksinya laughed, “I was in jail.  I will likely go to prison.  I love you so much, and I am so sorry.  I missed you.”

“And I you, mistress.  I wish to join your household again.”

Aksinya looked down, “I have none.”

Father Dobrushin took Aksinya by the arm, “Princess, that is enough.  The Lady Natalya must testify.”

“Yes, you must testify and ensure you tell the truth, Lady Natalya.”

Natalya nodded and presented a very worried look on her face.

Sergeant Nagel led Natalya to the witness chair. 

What kind of reunion did you expect to see with Aksinya and Natalya.  Aksinya loves Natalya.  Natalya worships Aksinya.  Natalya would gladly die for Aksinya--she almost did.  The kind of love and worship Natalya has for Aksinya can't be harmed by any amount of pain and suffering.  The same is true for the Sister Margarethe.  Aksinya's powerful personality gathers followers like a mother hen gathers her chicks. 

Does Aksinya deserve any of this worship.  She saved Natalya more than once.  She was a reluctant actor who acted in every case for Natalya--except once.  This novel is not about those things which are deserved.  This novel is about those things which are entirely undeserved.  Therefore, when Natalya sees Aksinya, she runs to her and curtsies to her and adores her.  Aksinya shows her love too.

Did you notice, Natalya walks with one shoulder lower than the other.  She is permanently crippled from Aksinya's attack.  Natalya didn't deserve this either--or did she.  As I wrote, this isn't a novel about what is deserved, but what is not deserved.

The judge is moved by Natalya and Aksinya's reunion.  Notice, I don't tell you about it--I show it to you.  The judge gives up and lets the ladies greet one another.  That's where I carve out a piece of dialog for you to show you their thoughts--thoughts through dialog.  Did you note, Aksinya said she loves Natalya.  At this point, Aksinya likely understands what love really is.  Natalya wishes to join Aksinya's household again, but Aksinya has none.

Father Dobrushin finally separates them.  Doesn't he chime in at an interesting point in the conversation?  The point about a household.  Listen to Aksinya's order to Natalya: “Yes, you must testify and ensure you tell the truth, Lady Natalya.”  This makes Natalya worried because she does not wish Aksinya to go to prison--you do see that, don't you?  Natalya would do anything for Aksinya including lie.  She was perhaps prepared to lie.  She disobeyed and betrayed her mistress before because of her love.  Tomorrow, Natalya's testimony.

A New Novel, Part 126 You Desire Sorcery

If you haven't noticed, the world has changed to focus on Ernst von Taaffe.  Asmodeus accomplished this so easily in Aksinya and Natalya's lives.  The demon tempted Aksinya with sorcery and succeeded.  He tempted her with education and succeeded.  He tempted her with a household and servants and succeeded.  He tempted her with a friend and succeeded.  Now, he tempts her with a lover.  Will the demon succeed here too?  Aksinya is conversing with Natalya on just this subject...

Aksinya turned her a foul look.


“Aksinya, what about the man. He said he is infatuated with you. He likes you for who you are. What does a moldy book have to do with anything?”

“You are cruel, Nata. Why would I want a man? What would I do with him? I can do something with a book.”

“A book of sorcery. The thing you seem to hate the most.”

“I do hate it.”

“But you are so wonderful at it.”

“It is a wasted skill.”

“But you are so skilled at it. In any case, this young man likes you. He is the son of an aristocrat. You need to determine if he will become the Graf. If so he will be equal to you in rank and therefore a balanced union.”

“What if I don’t seek any union?”

Natalya’s mouth opened and closed, finally she squeaked out, “Of course you want a union. You must find a man to marry—a man who is close to your rank. That will bring honor to your family and to the nobility.”

Aksinya shook her head, “Nata, my family is dead. In Russia, the nobility will soon be dead. You heard Fraulein Vogt this evening, the Austrian Parliament intends to outlaw the aristocracy in Austria. There is no purpose in making a good match anymore.”

“But, Aksinya, there is still a purpose in marrying a good man.”

Aksinya mumbled, “He isn’t a good man. He is a man who desires sorcery.”

“Then he is just like you. What is wrong with that? I desire sorcery. You…you…”

“Say it Nata. Go ahead. I know what you are going to say.”

“Very well, Aksinya. Though I desire it, you will not properly teach me.”

A knock came to the door. Aksinya jumped. Natalya turned toward the door, “You may enter, sister.”

Watch closely what is happening in the Aksinya/Natalya relationship.  Where always before Aksinya led and Natalya followed, now Natalya is leading.  Natalya encourages Aksinya in regards to Ernst, and Aksinya asks a penetrating question: “Why would I want a man? What would I do with him? I can do something with a book.” We will find later, Aksinya answers this question for herself at least intellectually.

Aksinya claims that she hates sorcery, but we all know she doesn't hate it at all--she desires it.  She is tempted by it.  Aksinya is lying.  She doesn't like herself when she sucumbs to sorcery, just as she doesn't like herself when she sucumbs to sexual desire.

Natalya suggests that Ernst might make a good marriage companion for Aksinya--she responds with the obvious but false argument that leads back to the end of the nobility.  Natalya answers with the truth--the purpose of marrying a good man.  Aksinya has perhaps never thought of such a thing.  She can't imagine that someone might desire her and love her.

Aksinya and Natalya's relationship is slowly changing.  Aksinya is letting things get a little out of her control.  Natalya will set her straight about men, or will she make things worse?  Tomorrow, more of this conversation and more about Aksinya and Natalya's new friendship.

A New Novel, Part 92 Natalya's Greatest Desire

Aksinya fell into sin brought to it by the temptation of the new book of sorcery.  Natalya goes to wake her in the morning.

Natalya found her in the morning naked, with the book in her arms, and the covers thrown away from her. A small droplet of fresh water rotated next to the head of the bed. Natalya watched it for a long time after she pulled the covers back over her mistress. Natalya couldn’t get the nightgown back on Aksinya because Aksinya wouldn’t let go of her book.


Eventually, Aksinya woke. She stretched and pushed the book away from her. Aksinya turned to see Natalya staring at her.

Aksinya gave a great sigh.

Natalya pointed at the small globe of still rotating water, “It’s beautiful.”

“It is my sin,” Aksinya struck the water and it dissipated into the air.”

“I thought it was wonderful, mistress. You are truly a powerful and magnificent person.” She sucked on her lip, “When will you teach me?”

“I don’t wish you to be like me…”

Natalya’s eyes began to tear.

“I don’t mean it that way. These things I do are sin. They are sorcery. I harm my soul every time I act this way.”

Natalya looked away, “Then why don’t you stop?”

“I…I…I can’t stop. I can’t stop myself from doing these things. That’s the problem with me.”

Natalya reached out her hands. She paused a moment, then she grasped Aksinya’s fingers, “I want to be like you. Even if it is a sin. I wish to be just like you. I want to follow you forever.”

“Would you even follow me to hell?”

“I would gladly follow you to hell, mistress. I have already seen hell. If being with you is hell, then that is where I want to remain.”

“I don’t want to teach you these things because you will condemn yourself to hell. I too have seen hell, the real hell. It is not a pleasant place. Yet, I would have traded my soul to hell for my parent and siblings.”

“Countess, I would trade my soul to hell for you.”

“Then will you trust me when I tell you, I don’t want you to go to hell with me. I don’t want you to be condemned with me.”

“Still, no matter what. I want to be like you, and I want to be with you.”

Aksinya shook her head, “How can I convince you? What can I say to you?”

Natalya smiled, “There is nothing you can say to me. There is nothing you can do to convince me. Please teach me, countess.”

Aksinya sought to put her off, “It will take a long time. You must learn Latin. Before that, you must know German. You must be able to converse with the people here so you can learn in the school.”

Natalya smiled slyly, “Yes, Countess.”

Wearily, Aksinya finally climbed out of bed. Natalya poured her bath and dressed her. They both ate a late breakfast and walked the gardens. Natalya insisted Aksinya speak to her in German the entire time.

Aksinya can't seem to ever hide the results of her sorcery.  She is lucky she has a friend who keeps secrets well and takes care of her.  Note the picture I paint using description.  You know immediately what happened during the night--I don't have to expand on anything. 
 
The results of the sorcery are wonderful to behold.  Natalya is bewitched by it.  The problem of Aksinya's sin is that it tempts Natalya too.  Aksinya realizes this the moment she sees Natalya.  Aksinya tries to turn Natalya away from her her own sin.  The problem of sin is that the example of your peers or the ones you love are the greatest inducement to temptation.  Natalya can't help but want to be like Aksinya.  The conversation between Aksinya and Natalya turns immediately to Aksinya's problem.  Natalya sees Aksinya's issues as a quality.  She can see nothing wrong in Aksinya.  The skills of Aksinya tempts Natalya in every way.  Natalya tells Aksinya she would follow her to hell.  The consequences of the sin are nothing to those who follow or worship the sinner.  Natalya knows she can beat down Aksinya's defenses.  She knows what she wants and she wants to be like Aksinya even at the loss of her soul.

A New Novel, Part 69 German Class and Sister Margarethe

Important person and important interaction, today we get to meet Sister Margarethe for the first time.  Also, here is Aksinya and Natalya's first class at the school.

The first class was German. The room was filled with ten younger and older students. The teacher was a middle aged nun with a very friendly and elfish face. She greeted Aksinya and Natalya at the door pleasantly in French, “Good morning Countess and Lady Natalya. I am Sister Margarethe Traugott. I teach German, both beginning and advanced. I understand the Lady Natalya doesn’t understand any German and that you, Countess, wish to improve your understanding of the language.”


Aksinya smiled, “The Reverend Mother must have spoken to you.”

The Sister Margarethe gave her a very large smile, “Yes, she told me about you, and we discussed your curriculum. You seem a wonderful young woman to have faced such suffering.” She stared at Aksinya and didn’t give a glance to Natalya. Suddenly, she reached out her hand and touched Aksinya’s face then brushed the tips of her hair, “I’m very glad you are in my class. I hope we can be good friends.” She pointed, “Please take the seats near the window at the front. I will assign you your books.”

Aksinya and Natalya sat where they were directed. Natalya pulled out notebooks and pens for both of them. Natalya began with a primmer, and Sister Margarethe spoke with Aksinya for a long time in German before she handed her a book of advanced German studies. At the end of class, the sister let them out of the classroom with a comment, “Countess, I’ve given you an advanced course of study. If you find your studies difficult, please come to my office. I would be happy to help you.

Aksinya grinned, “Thank you, Sister Margarethe.”

As always, we need to set the scene.  I could give you more on the classroom setting, but I already told you about the school, the rest is your imagination.  Plus, classrooms in 1918 aren't that much different--just more wood and less metal (no plastic).  You know the rooms are small and the classes have about 10 girls.  We see the German class is a mixed class (young and old)--you want to bet the students are not Austrian.  Maybe I should tell you this, but it doesn't drive anything in the novel, so the knowledge would just be gratuitous.

The important point isn't the class, it's the teacher.  Sister Margarethe Traugott is a very important character.  Traugott means "trust in God" and Margarethe means "pearl."  There is a significance to the last name.  Her first name is one of the most popular for girls in Austria and Germany when she was born 1860s.  You don't see much more than her face since she is a nun and wears a habit, so the description I give you is about her face.  By leaving the rest out, height, etc, I leave you with the impression she is average--that's what I want you to conclude.

Right away we see Sister Margarethe is very interested in Aksinya.  Then, we should be surprised.  Out of the blue she remarks on Aksinya's suffering.  I prepared you with Aksinya's comment about talking to the Reverend Mother.  That is obviously the only way Sister Margarethe could know so much about Aksinya.  The Reverend Mother obviously received her information from Aunt Brunhilda.  Then the very surprising part: she reaches out her hand and touches Aksinya's face, then her hair.  It's the hair.  If you didn't get it before, you should now.  The hair is an indicator and indicates that Asmodeus has in some way touched Sister Margarethe.  You get then, the words, "I hope we can be good friends."

Next I also give you description in dialog--there is a window in the room and Aksinya and Natalya are directed to sit at the front by it.  Teachers pet and by the window, could a student wish for more?  You should ask, why.

Natalya takes care of business.  She doesn't get any attention, but Aksinya does, plus an invitation.  We also get that Aksinya likes the attention.  We know she is attention starved.  She is looking for something, she called a demon from the pit for it.  So the first class, we know something is up with Sister Margarethe.

A New Novel, Part 46 Languages and Friendship

Welcome to Dr. Ryan.  Glad to have you aboard. 

We get rid of Frau Drescher for a little while and provide a little more interesting levels to the story.  Remember, in this time and culture, you don't introduce servants.  So here we go.

Frau Drescher’s brow rose, but she nodded and curtsied to Aksinya then left toward the dormitory.

The Reverend Mother let out a sigh, “Will you all please come with me. I’ll show you around our school and answer any of your questions.” The Reverend Mother gestured Aksinya to her side and Natalya stepped right behind her.

Aksinya halted and turned toward Natalya, “Reverend Mother, this is my lady-in-waiting, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska. I address her as the Lady Natalya. She is my confidant and my friend. She will be attending Sacré Coeur with me.”

The Reverend Mother’s smile widened. She turned her gaze to Natalya, “That is very interesting. Is there something wrong with your eyes, Lady Natalya?”

Natalya blinked the moisture from her eyes.

Aksinya repeated the question in Russian to Natalya.

Natalya blushed and ducked her head, “No, Reverend Mother.”

Aksinya continued, “The Lady Natalya doesn’t speak German yet. She is very conversant in French. Though she serves me, the Lady Natalya is to be treated with the same respect as any other student.”

The Reverend Mother nodded and continued in atrociously German accented French, “Then for her benefit, as well as yours, we shall use French.”

Aksinya barely constrained a laugh. She glanced at Natalya, and they shared a smile. Aksinya whispered to her, “Perhaps I shouldn’t worry about my German.”

From the beginning, the RM (Reverend Mother) is happy to get rid of Frau Drescher--she sighs, and we move on with Aksinya, Natalya and the rest on the school tour.

So, there you have it.  First Aksinya, introduces Natalya--that means she is not a servant.  Further, Aksinya called her "confidant" and "friend."  In the aristocracy, this is very important.  A friend is one thing, a confidant is entirely another.  Aksinya goes on to tell RM Kluge that she, she Aksinya calls Natalya, Lady Natalya.  Already, Aksinya has called Natalya, friend, confidant, and said she holds her in such high esteme she calls her Lady (that is a title reserved for an aristocrat).  It should not suprize you that the very emotional Natalya's eyes moisten.  She would cry outright, but that is never acceptable in high society.  The RM kindly reminds Natalya of that.  This is a nice admonition in this culture and time (remember Frau Drescher).  And so, Natalya blushes and ducks her head.
 
Aksinya goes on to instruct--did you get that?  She instructs RM Kluge that Natalya is to be treated like any other student.  She didn't say, "to be treated like me."  Such words wouldn't come from a Countess.  She also "suggests" that they use French, for Natalya's sake.  Can't you see Natalya in your mind.  She understands what is happening.  Aksinya even gives her such a compliment, "Natalya doesn't understand German--yet."  The implication is that she will and very quickly. 
 
Then we see the break and the level of the RM's French.  This is intentional.  Though the Austrians and the Germans taught French, they didn't see much purpose in it--(sarcasm) it was only the language of gentility and diplomacy at the time.  It was also the language of the Russian Court.  It was not the language of the German or the Austrian Courts.  Ah, the prejudice of their betters flows down to the people. The break is the smile that Aksinya and Natalya share at the RM's poorly accented French.  This also cements the Aksinya/Natalya bond.  Finally, Aksinya's comment about her own German ends this piece.