The Frewyn Herald: Home of the Haanta Series

It was the first snow today. Twisk therefore made some cute stick pictures of everyone enjoying themselves- or not- and I had to make a story. Winter Discomforts                 The preparatory signs of a heavy Frewyn winter were everywhere when the party returned to Diras: the first light snows blanketed the capital, the streets that had been used to the bustle and gaieties of the autumn harvest and holidays were now subdued, a frost began to gain power over the air and what was once a delicate tinge of cold was now a frozen gale; denizens shuffled about and huddled together for warmth, wearing clothing that was hardly warm enough for such a sinking climate; the skies churned a foreboding grey, cider carts were being wheeled round the square, a early fires glowed amber in the windows of every home, chimneys billowed with grey-black smoke, the scent of hickory and mulled spices lingered, and the ca...

The Shelled Bracer                  The festivities and regalements for the first evening of Ailineighdaeth were drawing to a close with the increasing brilliancy of the moon in the star-ridden sky. All was well and tranquil in the keep and in the capital: Diras had celebrated, revelrous raillery had prevailed, the traditional food and drink were shared, and now came the lull and hem of quietness. Gifts had been given, the last blessings and benedictions of the evening had been accorded, and with closing eyes and drowsy aspects did everyone say the requisite goodevenings and return to the respective corners of the keep.                 Though everyone had received something for the day, as everyone must for the purpose of the occasion to be considered fulfilled, one amongst the party who hailed from the islands felt obliged to give hi...

Kai Linaa's Morning                 The following morning, Kai Linaa set out to perform her tasks along the shore, but it would be a difficult office to fulfill; her mind was aflutter with what had passed the night before. As she went to the garden well and filled her waterskin, his face was everywhere. She saw him in the trees, perceived his voice on the wind, turned about once or twice in hopes of catching him sneaking upon her, could not wait to be thrown over by him in surprise, looked down into the well waters to see if he were standing behind her from above, but all this was fancy. He could not be there now, for his training and his teaching had called him away. He had even told her so, but she would not believe it. She would rather have him forever hovering near her, waiting to thrill her with a hunt and a capture, but she must own that work must be done, and she therefore left the garden with the since...

Unghaahi and Kai Linaa are major recurring characters in the series. Here is how they met. Unghaahi’s Affections                 After much provocation from Otenohi, Unghaahi was decided: he must speak with her. Here would be his chance, his only foreseeable chance, to gain her awareness and partiality before the women of the islands could assail her and fill her mind with notions of horror and monstrosity if they had not done so already. He watched her walk along the shore and offer every Amghari a sip from her waterskin. There would be his entrance: he would ask for water. If he should call, it was her duty to come, but how he should beckon to her and gain her attention was all his grief. He agonized over the question for several minutes until she was close enough for him to walk to her. He would ask; he would simply approach her in a kindly manner and ask. There was little harm in asking for something he must...

I have a great love of video games. It would seem that Kai Linaa does too.  Addiction                 A package came to the cottage in Sethshire just as Kai Linaa and Unghaahi were settling in the upstairs rooms. It was conveyed to the common room table by the commander, who was asked to join their small excursion south with her mate. Although the plan to vacation together had been agreed to with the provision that there should be no disturbances, the advent of this particular parcel could be excused as a welcome interruption. The package was addressed to Kai Linaa, and once she and Unghaahi had claimed it, they noted that the direction was from Lucentia.                 Kai Linaa unfastened the parcel’s strings and tore open the gilded paper with great delight. She was buzzing with wonder to envision what was within but a small not...

I had another story I was going to post, but this one just happened and I had to write it. The Amandine                 A shipment of buttered rolls and pastries arrived at the keep in the evening. Half of the shipment filled with deleterious yet delectable treats was for the Den Asaan and the other was for the regiments to eat on Gods Day morning. The enjoyment and crispiness of a toasted butter roll was but a small allowance to be given them for a day given free from their training, and upon placing the rolls out in the soldier’s mess for the regiments to have at night when the semi-holiday began and delight in through the morning, the Den Asaan attacked his portion of the shipment to keep Martje’s fat fingers away from his cakes and prying eyes on their meager rolls and away from his treasures.                 To further guard one of h...