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The Acts Of Julia Of Brixellum
- Thread starter Loxuru
- Start date
Sadly true.
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
PART 22 : AD 1273
Brescello, Duchy of Parma.
Cries of pain filled the dungeon. Cries from a young woman dangling naked, strapado tied, in the torture room of the local Count, ‘s residence.
“Sister Julia, you can make it easy for yourself! Tell us where the manuscript is!”
“I don’t knooow! It hurts! Put me down please…”
“Where is the manuscript!? Who keeps it!?”
“THAT IS ENOUGH! GET HER DOWN!”
Annoyed, the Count looked up who had given the order!? Then he noticed the intruder.
“Father Camillo! You? May I remind you that this is a restricted area!? You are not authorized to…!”
“I said! Put her down!”
“Even more, Father Camillo, you are not entitled to give orders here! But, all right! Put Sister Julia down and give her a break! I will show my indulgence, and lend my ears to this… Guelph! Only out of respect because he incidentally is a Man of God! Follow me outside, Father!”
The Count went outside followed by Father Camillo.
“Well Father Camillo! Tell me what are you up to!”
“Sister Julia is innocent, My Lord! Sister Julia belongs to the church community, and the manuscript is property of the church, since Your Lordship’s grandfather brought it from the crusade to Constantinople and donated it to the church! The manuscript is in safe hands!”
“How do you know, she is innocent, Father? She is a witch! Since when does the church protect witches?”
“It is you, My Lord, who accuses her of witchcraft! You should leave such matters investigated by the church first!”
“But what is your problem, Father Camillo? According to witnesses, she has been reading that profane manuscript, that, according to you, is in safe hands! These safe hands could not prevent that some simple nun had access to it! Incredible! An apology for the bad thief Gestas! Insults to the Fathers of the Holy Church! A compilation of debauchery! Crucifixion as a source of excitement of the flesh! Pure blasphemy! It undermines the foundations of Christianity! It could spoil the whole Christian community! And you, Father, a Man of God, approves this?”
“I am sure, Sister Julia will soon recognize her errancy and find the real path to God again. Leave that to the Church! Only when she persists in her errors, we have to take further measures!”
“Errancy!? Father! She… we found… she had written lustful crucifixion stories!. She had made drawings of naked crucified men and women! She was m..mo.. ma..mm…”
“Masturbating, My Lord?”
“Yes, Father, she was m.. , I mean, yes, that’s what she was she doing with those filthy drawings and stories around her! Isn’t that enough? What more sin do you tolerate?”
“Still, it remains church matter, My Lord!”
“Father, you are making a mockery of Christianity! She is a witch, she allegedly seduced a monk to obtain that manuscript! Be sure, when this is over, I will have her sewn in a bag and thrown into the Po!”
“That would be murder, My Lord!”
“Murder? Father! I am the landlord here! And the mayor of this city! I have all the power to do so! I am the law here, Father Camillo! And I tell you, I will find that manuscript, to prevent it from falling into wrong hands once more! If necessary, I will burn down every abbey and every library from here to Rome, to be sure it will be destroyed!”
“The Pope will not be pleased, if you would do so, My Lord! Some boasting, by the way, as a local Count, with your army of twenty part-time foot soldiers!”
“Now listen, you hypocrite Guelph, I am not interested in the Pope’s opinion at all, neither in yours!”
“Challenging the Pope, would get you into trouble with the Dukes of Parma and of Modena and of Mantua! And maybe with the Duke of Bologna too,. You would face a conflict you cannot afford! They want peace in this region!”
“I want…”
“And listen, you Ghibellin, take for once an advice from this Guelph! You Ghibellins want to keep the church out of your governance! But act consequently then, and stay out of the church’s business! And the affair of Sister Julia is church business!”
“I want that manuscript! It must be destroyed! And I will not release Sister Julia! Every single person who has knowledge of its content must be eradicated too, so that the plague of blasphemy will not spread! By All God’s Saints, Father, can’t you see!? That manuscript undermines the power of the church! It is pure subversion! It threatens the foundations of our society!”
“Which church do you mean, My Lord, the Church of God, or the mockery of a church you hold up, to legitimate your tyranny here?”
“How dare you, Father!?”
“And talking about the Sins of the Flesh, My Lord! Having innocent young girls tortured naked in your dungeon, in your presence, for your excitement, that My Lord, is a mockery of justice! That is tyranny, you will burn in hell for!”
“Get out of here, you filthy Guelph bastard, before I hang you next to that witch, and.. by Saint George, I should give you a hundred lashes, at the market place!”
“God bless you, My Lord!”
(to be continued)
Brescello, Duchy of Parma.
Cries of pain filled the dungeon. Cries from a young woman dangling naked, strapado tied, in the torture room of the local Count, ‘s residence.
“Sister Julia, you can make it easy for yourself! Tell us where the manuscript is!”
“I don’t knooow! It hurts! Put me down please…”
“Where is the manuscript!? Who keeps it!?”
“THAT IS ENOUGH! GET HER DOWN!”
Annoyed, the Count looked up who had given the order!? Then he noticed the intruder.
“Father Camillo! You? May I remind you that this is a restricted area!? You are not authorized to…!”
“I said! Put her down!”
“Even more, Father Camillo, you are not entitled to give orders here! But, all right! Put Sister Julia down and give her a break! I will show my indulgence, and lend my ears to this… Guelph! Only out of respect because he incidentally is a Man of God! Follow me outside, Father!”
The Count went outside followed by Father Camillo.
“Well Father Camillo! Tell me what are you up to!”
“Sister Julia is innocent, My Lord! Sister Julia belongs to the church community, and the manuscript is property of the church, since Your Lordship’s grandfather brought it from the crusade to Constantinople and donated it to the church! The manuscript is in safe hands!”
“How do you know, she is innocent, Father? She is a witch! Since when does the church protect witches?”
“It is you, My Lord, who accuses her of witchcraft! You should leave such matters investigated by the church first!”
“But what is your problem, Father Camillo? According to witnesses, she has been reading that profane manuscript, that, according to you, is in safe hands! These safe hands could not prevent that some simple nun had access to it! Incredible! An apology for the bad thief Gestas! Insults to the Fathers of the Holy Church! A compilation of debauchery! Crucifixion as a source of excitement of the flesh! Pure blasphemy! It undermines the foundations of Christianity! It could spoil the whole Christian community! And you, Father, a Man of God, approves this?”
“I am sure, Sister Julia will soon recognize her errancy and find the real path to God again. Leave that to the Church! Only when she persists in her errors, we have to take further measures!”
“Errancy!? Father! She… we found… she had written lustful crucifixion stories!. She had made drawings of naked crucified men and women! She was m..mo.. ma..mm…”
“Masturbating, My Lord?”
“Yes, Father, she was m.. , I mean, yes, that’s what she was she doing with those filthy drawings and stories around her! Isn’t that enough? What more sin do you tolerate?”
“Still, it remains church matter, My Lord!”
“Father, you are making a mockery of Christianity! She is a witch, she allegedly seduced a monk to obtain that manuscript! Be sure, when this is over, I will have her sewn in a bag and thrown into the Po!”
“That would be murder, My Lord!”
“Murder? Father! I am the landlord here! And the mayor of this city! I have all the power to do so! I am the law here, Father Camillo! And I tell you, I will find that manuscript, to prevent it from falling into wrong hands once more! If necessary, I will burn down every abbey and every library from here to Rome, to be sure it will be destroyed!”
“The Pope will not be pleased, if you would do so, My Lord! Some boasting, by the way, as a local Count, with your army of twenty part-time foot soldiers!”
“Now listen, you hypocrite Guelph, I am not interested in the Pope’s opinion at all, neither in yours!”
“Challenging the Pope, would get you into trouble with the Dukes of Parma and of Modena and of Mantua! And maybe with the Duke of Bologna too,. You would face a conflict you cannot afford! They want peace in this region!”
“I want…”
“And listen, you Ghibellin, take for once an advice from this Guelph! You Ghibellins want to keep the church out of your governance! But act consequently then, and stay out of the church’s business! And the affair of Sister Julia is church business!”
“I want that manuscript! It must be destroyed! And I will not release Sister Julia! Every single person who has knowledge of its content must be eradicated too, so that the plague of blasphemy will not spread! By All God’s Saints, Father, can’t you see!? That manuscript undermines the power of the church! It is pure subversion! It threatens the foundations of our society!”
“Which church do you mean, My Lord, the Church of God, or the mockery of a church you hold up, to legitimate your tyranny here?”
“How dare you, Father!?”
“And talking about the Sins of the Flesh, My Lord! Having innocent young girls tortured naked in your dungeon, in your presence, for your excitement, that My Lord, is a mockery of justice! That is tyranny, you will burn in hell for!”
“Get out of here, you filthy Guelph bastard, before I hang you next to that witch, and.. by Saint George, I should give you a hundred lashes, at the market place!”
“God bless you, My Lord!”
(to be continued)
windar
Teller of Tales
A CruxForums member!
Probably a member of a secret precursor organization.
Well, we can't have that. Only we crucify and torture crux girls.
Oh, I see. Never mind. The Count seems to be a member too.
Now this is interesting - an overly pious Count, at odds with the church, or does this manuscript threaten him personally? And why does Julia get punished all through history?
malins
Stumbling Seeker
It's called recursive reincarnation!
She manages to offend in all her reincarnations, for the same manuscript and philosophy? You might be on to something here. If it happens enough times, you'd think she'd start to get some sense of deja vu or something.
malins
Stumbling Seeker
Perhaps her persecutors shall be thwarted so long as they try to only punish, torture and destroy Julia the messenger of that manuscript, not realizing that she'll always return... be it centuries later...
That manuscript is more dangerous than the Necronomicon!
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
The Count pretends to be pious. Actually, he is local tyrant but he can hardly sustain an armed force. He is a Ghibellin and hence at odds with the pope. He fears the church could use the subversive impact of the manuscript (it questions power) to undermine his position.
Nice picture, Madiosi.
I apologise for not yet posting the next episode. It is not yet finished. Some heavy day for me today.
Take your time, good sir!The Count pretends to be pious. Actually, he is local tyrant but he can hardly sustain an armed force. He is a Ghibellin and hence at odds with the pope. He fears the church could use the subversive impact of the manuscript (it questions power) to undermine his position.
Nice picture, Madiosi.
I apologise for not yet posting the next episode. It is not yet finished. Some heavy day for me today.
These things cannot be rushed!
Don't worry, no hurry! Quality need her time. I make not pressure.The Count pretends to be pious. Actually, he is local tyrant but he can hardly sustain an armed force. He is a Ghibellin and hence at odds with the pope. He fears the church could use the subversive impact of the manuscript (it questions power) to undermine his position.
Nice picture, Madiosi.
I apologise for not yet posting the next episode. It is not yet finished. Some heavy day for me today.
Very good, the shadowed figure in the foreground gives us a sense that we're watching over his shoulder,
the bright vestments of the priest and smirking Count are a vivid contrast,
and in between brave Julia's tortured body glows with sweat
as she bites her lip trying to cope with the pain,
and stop herself from betraying any secrets,
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
PART 23 : AD 2073.
The University.
The Dean of the Law Faculty, assisted by a bedel, took of the academic regalia from the former professor in penal law, who had strongly criticized del Nero’s arbitrary court system, particularly concerning the apllication of death sentence. From behind the guarding bedel on her right, Julia saw his academic gown being dropped at his feet.
“From the Faculty of Engineering ….”
For publically protesting and agitating against arrests and disappearances of students from the university.
During the ceremony, there hung a complete silence over the audience. The words of the Rector resounded through all heads. ‘Look at them, Ladies and Gentlemen! They are the dark shadows! This ceremony is a purification. It is also a warning to keep in mind by all!.’
“From the Faculty of Medicine ….”
For contributing to medical reports that denouncesd torture in del Nero's prisons.
Del Nero’s circus! It flashed through Julia’s her head, while her colleagues were one by one subjected to the ceremony of dishonourable dismissal.
Stripped, partly symbolically, their academic regalia torn off, publically humiliated, symbolically crucified. On an open space, in front of del Nero and a hostile audience. Still, a far cry from Julia of Brixellum’s horrible fate.
“From the Faculty of Science….”
For repeatedly refusing to report ‘enemies of peace’ to the authorities.
The ceremony of the dishonourable discharge was finished, the Rector invited del Nero, the other high guests and the university staff for an Academic Dinner in the Deans’ Club, the prestigious staff restaurant of The University. The other guests were invited to a reception and walking diner. Julia Bersel and her four unfortunate colleagues were left standing for some thirty minutes on the Parade Ground, stared at and commented by the invitees.
Julia tried to ignore them, while thoughts ran through her head. Why had she done so far? For the victims of the Galatea? For the history teacher who once told her that freedoms and rights should never be taken as granted. Rights and freedoms are a mission, one should continuously fight for! The man was later crucified by a militia. Or just because of herself, because her experiences had made her question all kinds of authority, and had made her become suspicious and rebellious? Had she done good? Had she to blame only herself that she was standing there, publically humiliated? A little bit more leniency from her side, and this had never happened? What had she been trying to prove, after all, against all odds?
Standing on the Parade Ground, almost as in the stocks – only without stocks, made her feel ashamed and sad. Being expelled from the University felt terrible, since she had always liked her work there. But being lenient would also have meant : betraying herself. She could have been at the diner in the Deans’ Club. But would she have felt well in the presence of del Nero, of the Rector and his docile deans? In the presence of people like the coaches of the rugby team and the basketball team? These coaches, law and order fanatics, who apparently had become uneasily important in the university hierarchy, arrogantly presenting as the real guardian dogs of del Nero’s regime? Where would she have preferred her academic gown? Over her shoulders, in the Deans’ club, or torn off, at her feet? It felt sad, standing exposed to the invitees, all supporters of del Nero. She had chosen sides, and had to take the consequences. Had she squandered her life? Was it worthwhile? Better forty years a lion, than eighty years a sheep? Or was it rubbish. You only live once?
She had chosen sides, and had to take the consequences. Like Julia of Brixellum, two thousand years ago, by hiding Christians, on the run for persecution.
What did she had to expect? Locked up for the rest of her life? Getting eighty as a caged sheep?
Julia felt more peril was to come up. Maybe this was not yet the circus. Maybe this ceremony was just the whipping. Her knees, her body trembled. From fatigue, fear and anger.
As the invitees gradually dispersed, in order to attend the walking diner, the five and their escort were marched away, under the command of the Esquire bedel and accompanied by a police platoon.
They were marched to an administrative building, where they were ordered to sign some paper work concerning their dishonourable discharge. Then, they were driven from the university campus, each in a separate police van.
The vans did not turn into the direction of the stadium, Julia noticed. Actually, she knew she would not return to the stadium! There was more trouble to come! After the paperwork, another verdict had been read.
Normally, it needs at least two for a conspiracy. However, in the logic of del Nero, one was already enough, that is just one less than two. But here, they got five. All five former staff members from the University, all five fired for subversive action. More than enough for a conspiracy. All five had on their arrest been ex office accused of conspiracy against peace. For the special courts installed by the state of emergency, their collective dismissal from one and the same institution they had worked for, all for subversion, was a proof of guilt.
There was certainly more trouble to come! Julia and her companions had too prepare to fear the worst! And there would be little time!
(to be continued)
The University.
The Dean of the Law Faculty, assisted by a bedel, took of the academic regalia from the former professor in penal law, who had strongly criticized del Nero’s arbitrary court system, particularly concerning the apllication of death sentence. From behind the guarding bedel on her right, Julia saw his academic gown being dropped at his feet.
“From the Faculty of Engineering ….”
For publically protesting and agitating against arrests and disappearances of students from the university.
During the ceremony, there hung a complete silence over the audience. The words of the Rector resounded through all heads. ‘Look at them, Ladies and Gentlemen! They are the dark shadows! This ceremony is a purification. It is also a warning to keep in mind by all!.’
“From the Faculty of Medicine ….”
For contributing to medical reports that denouncesd torture in del Nero's prisons.
Del Nero’s circus! It flashed through Julia’s her head, while her colleagues were one by one subjected to the ceremony of dishonourable dismissal.
Stripped, partly symbolically, their academic regalia torn off, publically humiliated, symbolically crucified. On an open space, in front of del Nero and a hostile audience. Still, a far cry from Julia of Brixellum’s horrible fate.
“From the Faculty of Science….”
For repeatedly refusing to report ‘enemies of peace’ to the authorities.
The ceremony of the dishonourable discharge was finished, the Rector invited del Nero, the other high guests and the university staff for an Academic Dinner in the Deans’ Club, the prestigious staff restaurant of The University. The other guests were invited to a reception and walking diner. Julia Bersel and her four unfortunate colleagues were left standing for some thirty minutes on the Parade Ground, stared at and commented by the invitees.
Julia tried to ignore them, while thoughts ran through her head. Why had she done so far? For the victims of the Galatea? For the history teacher who once told her that freedoms and rights should never be taken as granted. Rights and freedoms are a mission, one should continuously fight for! The man was later crucified by a militia. Or just because of herself, because her experiences had made her question all kinds of authority, and had made her become suspicious and rebellious? Had she done good? Had she to blame only herself that she was standing there, publically humiliated? A little bit more leniency from her side, and this had never happened? What had she been trying to prove, after all, against all odds?
Standing on the Parade Ground, almost as in the stocks – only without stocks, made her feel ashamed and sad. Being expelled from the University felt terrible, since she had always liked her work there. But being lenient would also have meant : betraying herself. She could have been at the diner in the Deans’ Club. But would she have felt well in the presence of del Nero, of the Rector and his docile deans? In the presence of people like the coaches of the rugby team and the basketball team? These coaches, law and order fanatics, who apparently had become uneasily important in the university hierarchy, arrogantly presenting as the real guardian dogs of del Nero’s regime? Where would she have preferred her academic gown? Over her shoulders, in the Deans’ club, or torn off, at her feet? It felt sad, standing exposed to the invitees, all supporters of del Nero. She had chosen sides, and had to take the consequences. Had she squandered her life? Was it worthwhile? Better forty years a lion, than eighty years a sheep? Or was it rubbish. You only live once?
She had chosen sides, and had to take the consequences. Like Julia of Brixellum, two thousand years ago, by hiding Christians, on the run for persecution.
What did she had to expect? Locked up for the rest of her life? Getting eighty as a caged sheep?
Julia felt more peril was to come up. Maybe this was not yet the circus. Maybe this ceremony was just the whipping. Her knees, her body trembled. From fatigue, fear and anger.
As the invitees gradually dispersed, in order to attend the walking diner, the five and their escort were marched away, under the command of the Esquire bedel and accompanied by a police platoon.
They were marched to an administrative building, where they were ordered to sign some paper work concerning their dishonourable discharge. Then, they were driven from the university campus, each in a separate police van.
The vans did not turn into the direction of the stadium, Julia noticed. Actually, she knew she would not return to the stadium! There was more trouble to come! After the paperwork, another verdict had been read.
Normally, it needs at least two for a conspiracy. However, in the logic of del Nero, one was already enough, that is just one less than two. But here, they got five. All five former staff members from the University, all five fired for subversive action. More than enough for a conspiracy. All five had on their arrest been ex office accused of conspiracy against peace. For the special courts installed by the state of emergency, their collective dismissal from one and the same institution they had worked for, all for subversion, was a proof of guilt.
There was certainly more trouble to come! Julia and her companions had too prepare to fear the worst! And there would be little time!
(to be continued)
windar
Teller of Tales
old slave
FELIS RESPICIENS
I was premature. The de-gowning was just the start. Now I fear her academic research is about to become personal and practical.
The thesis is: "That crucifixion was the most awful method of execution ever invented".
Introduction: literature search
Materials & Methods: see executioner's notes
Results: see witness statements
Conclusions: (still working on how to write this section)