Astraia: Spirit of Defiance

By Graham Fitzgerald

Ancient Greece at the time of the Trojan War. Will true valour triumph over greed, lust for power and unimaginable evil?
Astraia: Spirit of Defiance follows a teenage princess from Corfu named Astraia who has outstanding fighting skills.
When her cousin is kidnapped by pirates she launches a secret expedition to rescue him, helped by his best friend Leandros. The pair, and the other members of their band, head for the nearby island of Paxos, where they eventually find her cousin and his fellow crew drugged in the hold of a pirate ship. After being tricked by the pirates, Astraia and other members of her band are also taken prisoner and transported to Anti-Paxos where they meet the feared pirate leader, Deimos. He has built up a huge fleet of ships – but for what sinister purpose?
Are the pirates planning to attack her homeland? If so, Astraia needs to alert her father, King Atreus of the impending invasion. Can she and her followers escape and make it back in time to save Corfu and its people from Deimos and his armada?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Oct 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781789012217

Graham Fitzgerald

Graham Fitzgerald wanted to become an author from a young age, and became a journalist as means of achieving this. Forty years later, after distinguished careers as a print and TV journalist, working for the BBC, ITV, and Sky News, he has finally completed his first novel: Astraia: Spirit of Defiance. He lives in Richmond, Surrey.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 1

It was very annoying. The moment she arrived on Corfu Marissa had the peculiar feeling she was back home. Except she wasn’t. She had never been to the island before, or anywhere else in Greece for that matter. All she knew was what she had read on a website: that Corfu had been revered by the poet Homer, had a rich history and was a popular tourist destination.

So, assuming she wasn’t going mad, how to account for that odd, nagging sensation?

Her only thought, and a fanciful one, she had to admit, was that her family, the Robertses, had distant Greek connections and being on Corfu had stirred some ancient memories deep in her subconscious.

She put this to her mother Victoria, a historian, as they relaxed by the pool on the third day of their trip.

Mrs Roberts thought carefully before replying. Her teenage daughter was clearly bothered, and she wanted to help if possible.

It’s an interesting idea, she answered, but as far as I’m aware we have no distant relations, and certainly not in this part of the world. It would be nice if we did, she added. Perhaps we should check the family tree when we get back home?

In other words, remarked Marissa’s older brother Antony, who was relaxing on the sunbed next to her, get over it.

Marissa gave him a withering look but said nothing. She was not going to rise to the bait, and she would get her own back soon enough – she always did.

As well as Antony, Marissa had two younger brothers, Alex and William, and a younger sister, Grace. They and their parents were staying in a villa on the north-east coast of Corfu with spectacular views of the Ionian Sea. They had gone there at the suggestion of their Uncle George – Mrs Roberts’ brother – who was renting a property nearby. Corfu was one of his favourite places.

It has a magic that creeps up on you and makes you want to go back again and again, he declared when they were discussing where to take that year’s summer holiday.

So far Marissa had enjoyed herself, although she was beginning to get irritated by Alex and Grace’s constant squabbling and William forever challenging her to swimming and running races. Aged six, and the youngest of them all, he was highly competitive and firmly believed he was the best at everything. Marissa was too fond of him to disabuse him of the notion, although there were times when she was sorely tempted. Antony, too. Alex and Grace showed less restraint, but William wasn’t bothered – they were only a few years older than him and it didn’t matter what they said.

It was now the fifth day of the holiday and the two families had booked a day trip to Paxos, a beautiful island south of Corfu. William was particularly excited. He liked going on boats and was looking forward to the voyage. Who knew what adventures they might have?

The morning had started badly with Grace, not for the first time, getting her toe stuck in a bath tap. Their father Michael, a doctor, then announced he had lost the electronic keys to the hire car. The family looked all over but could not find them anywhere. There was a spare set, but he could not get them to work.

Dr Roberts was about to call the rental office for replacements when he discovered the lost keys in a pair of shorts. He swore they had not been there when he checked earlier, but no one was listening. Their only thought was to get away before anything else went wrong.

Freeing Grace’s toe and the search for the elusive keys had left the family with just enough time to catch the ferry from Corfu Town. The plan was to meet Uncle George and their aunt and cousins at the terminal. They were low on petrol and had left earlier to fill up on the way.

The Robertses were making good progress along the winding coastal road and were just beginning to relax and enjoy themselves when they came across a small, battered-looking truck that had apparently crashed into a tree on the edge of an olive grove.

Without hesitating Dr Roberts pulled over and went to check on the occupants. They turned out to be an elderly Greek couple who, luckily, had managed to stop just before hitting the tree, and were unharmed.

They were engaged in animated conversation and did not seem to notice Dr Roberts approaching. They carried on talking when he tapped on the driver’s window, so he tapped a little harder. This time they heard him and turned around. They were both a picture of health; their silver hair shone and their skin glowed, and they seemed to be completely unfazed by the near-crash.

Are you all right? asked Dr Roberts. He spoke slowly in case they did not understand him, but he need not have bothered.

The old man lowered the window and smiled. We are both fine, he said in perfect English. A tyre burst and we came off the road, but I was driving slowly, and we stopped before hitting anything.

You’re lucky, replied Dr Roberts. You could have had a nasty accident.

Yes, said the man. But no harm has been done, as you can see. The fates must have been smiling on us.

I’m a physician, Dr Roberts informed him after a brief pause. Would you like me to check you and your wife just to be safe? He was finding it hard to believe they had escaped without so much as a scratch and were displaying no signs of shock.

No, thank you. That won’t be necessary. But I’d be most grateful if you’d help me change the tyre.

Of course, said Dr Roberts, who called out to Antony to lend a hand.

The old man nodded at his wife and they both got out of the car. Dr Roberts noticed they were both very sprightly. It made him wonder why the man had asked for assistance when he probably didn’t need it. Not that he minded; he was only too pleased to help.

The woman got two folding chairs from the rear of the truck and gestured to Mrs Roberts to sit with her. Mrs Roberts, who had just phoned her brother to warn him they might be late, happily obliged. There was something unusual, unworldly even, about the couple, and she was curious to find out more about them.

Mrs Roberts spoke half a dozen languages including Greek, so conversing with the old woman was not a problem. In no time, she had learned all about her family. They had lived on Corfu for generations, perhaps even dating back to ancient times. One side – hers – were farmers, while on her husband’s side most were either lawyers or public servants. The more ambitious ones usually left the island to pursue their careers in Athens or abroad, but sooner or later they returned, such was the allure of their place of birth.

Corfu never leaves you, she said. It is always in your heart.

That sounds familiar, Mrs Roberts said to herself, recalling her brother’s near-obsession with the island. She was about to ask the charming old lady if she knew anything about Paxos and where to go during their visit, assuming they managed to catch the ferry, when she was interrupted by Marissa and William.

William’s getting restless, Marissa announced. Have we got time to go and explore a bit?

Mrs Roberts looked at her youngest son, who produced what he hoped was a winning smile. Please, Mum. Please – just for a few minutes.

Very well, she replied against her better judgement. But on condition you don’t wander off. From the looks of things, we’ll be on our way again very soon.

Don’t worry, said Marissa. We won’t go far.

And be careful.

Yes, said the old lady, now speaking in English. You never know what can happen.

Before Mrs Roberts could reply, William dashed off in pursuit of a large blue butterfly that had hovered invitingly in front of him as they were talking.

William, wait for me! Marissa called out, but he kept running and a few seconds later had disappeared into the trees. Marissa exchanged a knowing glance with her mother and, with a shrug of her shoulders, went after him.

There was no sign of William at the edge of the grove, so Marissa went in further, calling his name. As she expected, there was no reply, so she tried again.

Still no answer.

She was starting to get worried – and a not a little irritated – when William suddenly stuck his head out from behind a bush. Can’t catch me, he teased, and shot off towards a clump of trees.

William, we haven’t got time for this. Remember what Mum said; we don’t want to miss the ferry.

Again, no reply. Like many children, William had no real sense of urgency and having started a game he wanted to finish it, no matter what. In that respect, as in many others, he was not unlike his eldest sister, who decided on another tack.

William, she called out, did you know there are wild creatures in these woods?

No there aren’t, he shouted back, giving away his whereabouts, as Marissa intended. You’re just trying to scare me.

Marissa decided to sneak up and catch him by surprise. Despite herself, she had been drawn into playing the game. She tiptoed silently around the edge of the trees and was about to pounce when William emerged from behind a low branch about fifteen metres ahead and started crawling towards a nearby mound.

Got you! Marissa shouted, and sprinted towards him.

In her haste, she failed to notice a large tree root in her path. She tripped over it and hurtled to the ground, hitting the side of her head on a large stone.

She lay still for a few moments, then rolled over onto her back and ran a hand through her hair. How odd – she felt no pain and there was no bleeding. As far as she could tell, she did not even have a scratch.

She looked round and saw William a few feet away, looking down at her admiringly.

That was awesome, he said.

I’m glad you think so, answered Marissa, sitting up.

Were you trying to trick me? Is that why you did it?

No, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to fall over.

Does that mean I’ve beaten you, that I’m the winner?

Marissa was about to give him a piece of her mind when she suddenly felt dizzy. The sensation only lasted a few moments, but when she focused her eyes again a dark-haired woman in a long white gown was standing beside William. Marissa tried to speak but no words came out.

The woman, who was strikingly beautiful and had hypnotic green eyes, leaned down and put a hand on Marissa’s forehead.

Don’t worry, she said reassuringly. There’s nothing to fear.

Marissa thought she must be hallucinating, but then to her huge relief and amazement she realised who the woman was. I know you, she stammered, her mind flooding with images. You’re… But before she could finish the sentence she was overcome by dizziness once again and passed out.

William looked on, nonplussed. He had no idea who his sister was talking to, and he could not understand why she had suddenly fallen asleep.

He tried to rouse her, but it was no use. Oh dear, what if she was hurt after all? It was all his fault; he should never have chased after that butterfly. He had a feeling something would bad would happen and now it had.

He shook her again. Marissa, wake up or we’ll miss the ferry and Mum and Dad will be upset!

But it was no use. His sister was in a faraway place and it would be a while before she returned.

Chapter 2

The elderly woman was tending to her herb garden when she heard a rustling sound from behind a nearby bush. She looked up to see a teenage girl in a short riding dress staggering towards her. She had a deep cut on the left side of her forehead and rivulets of blood were running down her cheek.

On seeing the woman, the girl, who was armed with a sword, held out a hand. She opened her mouth to speak but stumbled to the ground before getting any words out.

The woman rushed over and knelt beside her, putting an arm around her shoulder.

What happened? she asked.

I’m not sure, but I think I fell off my horse. I must have hit my head when I landed.

The girl tried to stand, but her legs were too weak.

Careful, said the woman, helping her to sit down. Will you be all right to wait here while I go for help – I won’t be long?

The girl nodded, and the woman hurried off to the farmhouse at the top of the garden, where she found her husband discussing the latest olive crop with his senior hand. He was looking forward to a bumper harvest, possibly their best ever, and they would need extra help gathering it.

Husband, husband! the woman called out.

He turned and his eyes narrowed with concern. What is it, my dear? His wife was a calm person by nature and he had rarely seen her so agitated.

There’s a young girl, she replied breathlessly. She’s fallen off her horse and cut her head badly.

The woman turned, and the two men followed her to the herb garden where they found the girl lying unconscious. The farmer, who had experience of treating wounds from his days in the army, examined the cut, which had stopped bleeding.

It’s deep and it looks painful, he pronounced. But she’s young and she’ll get over it soon enough.

That’s just as well, interjected the senior hand. Do you know who this is?

They looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders.

It’s the king’s eldest daughter, Astraia.

At first, they thought he was mistaken, but when they studied her more closely they realised he was right.

Of course, said the woman. How did we not recognise her?

We’d better get word to the palace, so they know what’s happened, said the farmer. But first let’s get her inside and see to that cut.

They carried Astraia into the modest but comfortable farmhouse and laid her on a couch. The farmer kept an eye on her while his wife went to fetch a bowl of water and a cloth. When she returned, she handed them to him and he began cleaning the wound.

As he did so, his wife contemplated the young woman. Tall and slender, she was said to be unusually strong and the equal of any man with a sword and spear. She had shown this on many occasions, such as when she disguised herself as a youth and entered a javelin-throwing contest on nearby Ithaca. On Corfu, girls were taught to use weapons the same as boys in case they were needed to fight.

Despite her age – she was just twelve at