The Frewyn Herald: Home of the Haanta Series

Many a time, readers do really nice things. Artist Gaspare did this really lovely colouring of Twisk's illustration and I just had to show it. :D

To honour Twisk's new site: a portion of Pleasure in Growling One evening, when Kai Linaa was feeling disconsolate and unworthy while sitting at her drawing table and looking at a piece she deemed to be despicable, Unghaahi sought to appease her sorrowfulness with a small display of his adulation. He knew that an appraisal of her work would only lead to more conjectures of the opposing kind and instead thought to appeal to her worthiness as a whole. The Den Amhadhri approached Kai Linaa, kissing his mate on the head and rubbing her tensed shoulders to calm her.               "Ghaala Anonnaa," Unghaahi purred in his mate's ear, "Whether you believe yourself to be of value or not, I have promised to be your Ataas Traala and a Haanta promise is always kept."               His mate looked up at him with glowing eyes. He saw in them all the felicity of...

I know it's only a WIP but I love it so much already that I had to show it. Aiden and Triskillien from book 11. by Twisk.

I was writing a chapter for book 11. One of the characters has what I call a Twisk moment: the ability to be immensely happy one moment and believe the world will explode the next. She said Twisk moments should be Frewyn legend. Perhaps they are. The Legend of Twisk                 Once, in times past, there was a young woman of little consequence who believed the world was ending every other moment. She would see something she loved and instantly believed it would be crushed by a belligerent god or accidently destroyed by herself. Here was a woman to be feared, for everything she believed was true. She believed in the magic of elves, the might of giants, nay, even the powers of clairvoyance were at her behest. Many feared her, believing she was herself one of the gods, as everything she commanded as true was so.                 She s...

Here is a WIP of Kai Linaa that Twisk will finish eventually. I hope. For you, Anonnaa: because we all have crummy days.

Sheamas Donnegal and C. Boudicca Macdaede from book 6 of the Haanta Series. Art by Twisk

Brand new adorable art for the Haanta series: "Soledhan Sleeping" by Twisk.

A WIP of Soledhan sleeping with his cat. By Twisk The commander and the Den Asaan were sitting at the table in the commons finishing their charges for the day, the commander finishing her proof of the trade agreements Alasdair had tendered her and the giant in the midst of his nightly correspondence to his brothers. They enjoyed their felicitous silence together, accompanied by the warmth of the crackling fires in the hearth behind them, passing each other looks of partiality and grazing their small fingers over one another’s hands whenever their writing was at rest. Their peace was interrupted, however, by the opening of the door and the bursting in of their child, howling in jubilation as he attacked his mother with kisses. The commander crushed him with a pleasant embrace, pressing her cheek against his, and gave him all her attention if not to save herself from the tedium of Alasdair’s agreements then to shield her mate from all the strident happiness the child could accord. ...

Just a little diversion.   Ears               Kai Linaa sat in her quarters within the guest quarter of the keep with her pencil in one hand and her thin drawing parchment neatly within the center of her lap. Her back hunched as she was diligently working on a new piece. Her hand skittered across the page with every gradual inscription and her ears twitched with excitement for her subject. She would look up intermittently from her page to regard Unghaahi sitting before the fire in front of her, practicing his daily meditations. The measured and droning thrums of the Haanta scriptures emanated from her mate's pleasing mouth and she felt she must draw him tranquilized expression while he was in such a state.        Though Unghaahi's eyes were closed for the duration of his practice, he could be under no mistake as to what Kai Linaa's employment was. He smiled when he heard ...

Twisk told me a hilarious story of a vicious spider attack that happened to her when she was young. One day she decided to clean out a corner full of tiny spider eggs. They hatched as she was clearing them aside and they thought it advisable to crawl all over her skin. The above gif is her translation of the event. This is what she would have liked to see happen to the alpha spider.I may have to write about this.

The commander wishes you a happy new year with the power of her mighty chest. A super cute WIP of a poster with the characters from the Haanta series as drawn by Twisk. Top row: Tomas Cuineill, Mrs. Cuineill, Carrigh Averleigh and King Alasdair Middle Row: Otenohi, Kai Linaa and Unghaahi Bottom Row: Rautu, commander, Mr. Craw the gull, khaasta the cat and Obhantaa Leraa.

2010 was the best year of my life thus far. I wrote 774 short stories, 5 books and published one (albeit with missing chapters thanks to the publisher but I'm hoping this will be rectified in 2011). I would like to take this moment to thank Twisk for being my Anonnaa and going along with me. Her art and companionship have been invaluable to me. May we make books together forever. To all the readers who visit the site, Happy New Year. Crawww!

Battlefield by Twisk Hallanys     Once the Den Asaan and commander had gained a few hours of sleep, they meant to continue their journey through the Dehir Wood to the northwest. The commander was roused by the forceful nestle of the giant’s nose against her neck and the excruciating embrace that accompanied his fond assurances. His legs and arms were wrapped around her body and though she thought he would not sleep, as he rather enjoyed keeping a vigil over her when she took the chance to rest, she believed he was performing his duties as mate credibly by guarding her in such a close and pleasurable manner. His warm exhales browsing the back of her neck caused her to shift her shoulder to shield herself from the sensations repeatedly assailing her. The prickling feeling dancing along the back of the neck became too great and she felt she must ask him to move for her own sanity.     A gentle touch to his mauve-grey flesh and the giant’s eyes were open...

A little afterthought of the Birthday Party story: Liking After much exertion and a powerful display of his prowess, the Den Asaan left his mate sleeping peacefully by the dim fire and went to scout the happenings of the keep from his favourite place at the parapets. He walked up the winding stair with a satisfied smile, recalling the cries of gratification emanating from his mate only an hour previous. He reached the parapets to find the gull sitting atop the stile near the stair. When the giant neared, it cooed at him, lifting its beak toward him for a bit of attention. The Den Asaan, no longer feeling that the gull presented any conflict, held out his arm and allowed the gull to fly to him.               It cooed and bobbed its neck, begging the Den Asaan to lift his opposing hand to his chin. Rautu complied with his wants and the gull lifted its beak in the air, inviting the giant to preen his feathers ...

What is better than having a birthday? Having a birthday cake with Rautu in the center and those who share the Haanta world around him. Thank you to Twisk for making this incredible drawing. Not only did she make Rautu with his signature super scowl but she also made everyone with party hats. There can be no birthday without party hats. Characters: Left top down: Good King Alasdair, Khantara and the wren (complete with uber tiny hat), Mhardhosa, Bhaaldhena and Jhiaanta with Tomas Cuineill at the bottom sporting his combination bandana and hat. Right top down: Unghaahi and Kai Linaa (with a hat on each ear), Otenohi wearing his hat in a precarious place, Obhantaa Leraa and Khaasta the cat with Mrs. Cuineill at the bottom. On the cake: Den Asaan Rautu in his work-safe mode and Mr. Craw the Gull  (with his adorable little hat).

A special extra story to commemorate Twisk's birthday: The Birthday Parade            After the pleasantries of Kai Linaa's birthday cake were cleared away from the kitchen table, there was much discussion as to what was to be done in honour of her birthday. The four Haanta made numerous petitions to teach her the forbidden practices of the Amghari she so desired to learn to commemorate such a day but Alasdair sensibilities overruled their suggestions, fearing that the small woman would not be able to withstand the strain on her body. Quiet Frewyn activities were set in place of arrow-catching and strength training at the commander's proposal for she believed the birthday practices of the nobility were in order. Culinary decadence, the parading of oneself about while making proclamations of the special day, the purchasing of excessive clothing, the demanding of certain rights had all done for the royals of the keep and the...