Becca Fox [Fox - Asta and the Barbarians

On the day the Holgarians attack her town, twenty-year-old Asta is blessed by a warrior god and is empowered with the heightened senses and unnatural healing abilities these foreign invaders possess. Grief-stricken and paralyzed by terror, shes hauled onto the conquering generals ship and taken to the island of Holger across the sea.

One year later, Asta graduates from warrior academy with honors and is chosen as one of the kings personal Defenders. She will finally have the opportunity to kill the man who gave the general his orders, and avenge her family. She doesnt expect the king to be young or kind, or completely oblivious of what his men are doing overseas. He has been told peaceful negotiations are going well, and the natural resources and ambassadors from the mainland seem to support this report. But Asta knows better.

Asta must find proof of the generals treachery and bring it before the king so that she can save unconquered provinces from meeting the same fate as her hometown. But the kings counselors suddenly start dying, and the king himself is hounded by foreign assassins. Revenge will have to wait if Astas going to keep the king, the mainlands only hope, alive.

ASTA AND THE BARBARIANS

By Becca Fox

Published by Tirgearr Publishing

Author Copyright 2018 Becca Fox

Cover Art: EJR Digital Art (ejrdigitalart.com)

Editor: Lucy Felthouse

Proofreader: Rosemary Graham

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This story is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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DEDICATION

For my mom. Look! I finally wrote some historical fiction for youWell, sort of.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There have been so many instrumental people who have helped me through this journey. My big sister, my first editor, my biggest fan, my fellow brainstormer, my faithful cheerleader; she was there from the very beginning. I could never thank her enough for her time, her patience, and her unwavering desire to see me succeed. If I publish any more books, it will be because of her.

My husband isnt much of a reader but he continues to lend an ear or give advice whenever I ask for it. I appreciate him so much.

Mom and Dad supported me, even though fantasy isnt their cup of tea. I couldnt have asked for greater parents.

I cant leave out the faceless beta readers, the priceless critiquers who took the time to read my sample chapters and give me good advice. I learned so much from them.

Of course, I have to thank the wonderful people of Tirgearr Publishing. Without them, this book wouldnt be in anyones hands but mine.

Lastly, Id like to thank the authors of my youth: J.K. Rowling, Sarah Dessen, Patrick Ness, Rick Riordan, Cassandra Clare, Kelley Armstrong, Suzanne Collins, Kristen Cashore, Brandon Sanderson. They were my first teachers, my inspiration. Ill never forget their words. Thanks for giving me so many different worlds to escape to and so many great friends.

ASTA AND THE BARBARIANS

Becca Fox

PART I

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Chapter One

General Halvar placed a hand on my shoulder as the ship pulled into the harbor. Welcome home, Asta.

I winced at his touch.

Do you remember why I brought you here? he asked.

I looked up at the land mass before us.

Holger, the Island of Spears. I knew only rumors about this country. Their warriors couldnt be defeated in battle, their population was larger than any other nation, and their schools offered the best curriculums. I used to think of it as a massive piece of land floating in the middle of the ocean, with foreboding clouds constantly roiling above. I used to have such an active imagination.

The actual island was far smaller than I pictured. I could see the whole of it with a turn of my head. Food vendors along the pier called out to passersby, women shopped, children played and weaved around horse-drawn carriages. Laughter drew my gaze to a couple attempting to take a schooner out to open waters. Fishing ships heavily laden with full nets pulled in beside us. I could smell the dead fish from my place on the poop deck.

I swallowed the bile traveling up my throat. Ive been chosen for a special task.

Thats right. The general finally released my shoulder and stepped around me. His mismatched eyes, one misty white and the other gleaming like liquid copper, bored into mine. Are you ready?

I cowered out of habit, but straightened when I realized what I was doing. Yes, sir.

A grin stretched the burned side of the generals face. Praise be to Dotharr.

Praise be to Dotharr, I said.

Shall we?

I stared at the elbow he offered me for a moment, entertaining fantasies about grabbing it and tossing the general overboard. I forced myself to take the elbow and follow him across the main deck instead. He waited patiently while I lifted the skirt of my dress and stepped onto the gangplank. After two weeks of suffering in mens clothing, I had been given a bath and a new dress this morning. It didnt make up for what had been done to me, but I couldnt help feeling slightly grateful. Suddenly, I was a lady again and not a prisoner. Letters along the ships hull caught my eye: The Great Disaster .

I remembered everything then with a sudden clarity that made me gasp. My family. My home in Kenshore. The raid. The fires. Being dragged, kicking and screaming, out of the ruins of my town and onto this vessel. I tore my gaze from the hull and blinked away tears.

Something wrong? the general asked.

I swallowed hard. I was simply admiring the ship from this new vantage point, sir.

The double-masted ship was painted red-brown, with cream-colored sails and a single red flag. A wooden carving of a scantily-clad woman with a devilish smile and an outstretched sword clung to the bow. The seamen scurried up the ratlines to secure the sails while the copper-eyed warriors clamored down the gangplank. I shied away from them as they passed.

The noises of the city and the light of the sun made my head pound. I kept my sensitive eyes half-lidded and fixed on the planks of wood that made up the pier. I had gotten into the habit of breathing through my mouth to avoid overwhelming my nose on the ship, but the open air helped minimize the potency of the different odors wafting toward me.

Dotharrs blessings might seem even more burdensome the deeper into the city we go, General Halvar said. But youll learn to better control your abilities at Dotharrs Academy.

I nodded. Yes, sir.

The last two men to disembark from the ship stopped beside us.

Asta, you remember Tarben and Manning? the general said, gesturing to each as he named them. They will be your personal guards while Im away.

D-Do I need protecting, sir?

General Halvar chuckled. Youre the first woman and outsider to be chosen by our Heavenly Master of Warriors. Until youve learned how to use your new abilities to properly defend yourself, you will most definitely need protecting. Come along now.