Asta's Ascension

Prologue

Bara döda fiskar följer strömmen. 

Only a dead fish follows the stream.

Hordaland, a kingdom next to the sea, known for its hardened people, barbaric customs and treacherous terrain, was a place that good Englishmen avoided with all cost. Stories of the berserkers fight without honor and worshipped many gods. When the heads of their ships are spotted on the horizon, woman guard their children and men seek to escape. Víkingar; a name that strikes fear into god fearing men.

The Vikings were a myth for some time, men and women who plundered, fought, and killed any in their way. That was until Maceo, Earl of Hordaland, started to venture further and further, staking his claim and instilling despair. Men were killed on site, women raped and if they were lucky, killed as well. Many were taken as Thrall, slaves. Children were spared no mercy. Young boys were taken, forced to serve the Jarls kingdom in building, farming, and when the Gods demand it; sacrifices. Young girls were also taken, forced to serve the warriors in other ways.

Maarika, once Mary, was one such girl. After watching her mother and father being slain, she was captured and forced into slavery at the age of 10. She served the Jarl's wife until becoming a woman. She had three children. Her first two, twins, Fabia and Kade, her third, Asta. Maarika taught her children the Old Norse ways. Religion and customs and most importantly, where they stood. Thrall were lower than livestock, and treated as such.

Maceo's jarldom was powerful, his warriors the bravest and firsts in the land. No other Jarls dared to challenge him.

Asta, now 17 years old, cannot live with her lot in life any longer. The other villagers treat her and her family as dirt. Her name sake, divine beauty, has done nothing but bring her torment. Her mother secured her as a handmaiden to the Jarl's wife, a position that brought as much safety as is possible for a thrall. Asta sees the women of the village, as honored and respected as the men, learning how to fight, owning land, and providing children. Wishing that she could join them, have the respect that she knows she deserves, she sets out to prove herself and show the men of Hordaland, that she is worthy.

Viking terms and knowledge:

~So I am NOT an expert. I have done research and this is my interpretation of what I have learned. this is not meant to be completely historically accurate. I will try to explain some things as I introduce it. 

Jarl: Earls of villages or parts of kingdoms. Cheiftens was another popular term. 

Karls: normal free men and women

Thralls: slaves. very common in viking history. they were captured during raids and used as most slaves would be. 

Time period: vikings were active around 700 ad too somewhere around 1300 ad, but many disagree on that fact. My story takes place around 900 ad. 

Religion: they followed Norse Mythology. Thor and Odin were the main gods they recognized. Freyja and Loki are also mentioned often. 

Culture: woman were just as respected as men, if they could prove themselves. they owned lands and fight in battles. 

Let me know if there is anything else that you want classified!