The Frewyn Herald: Home of the Haanta Series

Before Martje gained command of the keep's range, there was Ruta, the old kitchen master, whose mission it was in life to feed Alasdair as much as she did his father.  Meeting the keep’s kitchenmaster and assessing her now at such convenience allowed him to comprehend the whole of her compactness: she was a small woman, plump and hardy, always fluttering about her range, her hands never without a something to mark her station, her hair a fiery bramble tied beneath her mop cap, her bristly fringe billowing out and spilling over her forehead, her round face affable, her eye keen and kindly, and her manner jovial and good-hearted. She was a happy woman, one who championed in her profession, who triumphed in puddings and pies, and whose dominant proclivity in life was to feed everyone under her charge. Though she was much smaller than Bryeison had expected, her open temper and subrisive character granted a something like grandeur to a woman who was shorter than the prince. She tr...

Tales from Frewyn: Short Stories from the Haanta Series will be out next month! The volume will feature early stories from the series featuring Rautu, Boudicca, Kai Linaa, Unghaahi, Leraa, Otenohi, Martje, and Alasdair. To give you a peek at the publication, here is one of my favourite stories:  The Five-Second Rule                 There was a long-standing rule in the kingdom of Frewyn pertaining to food that had gained tolerable popularity, but while it was followed with decent devoutness, the exact stipulations of this rule had gone mostly unspoken: the Five-Second Rule, though a favourite with many a man in Frewyn, contended that any meal  which had the unfortunate claim of falling to the ground might again be picked up if done within the boundaries of five seconds. There were other more precarious iterations of the practice that allowed for a period of ten seconds, but those who kept such...

While Prince Draeden's greatest concern is his next meal, all Aldus' anxiety is for the precious carpet at his feet and the stacks of tax collection notices on his desk. No one enjoys paying taxes, but in Frewyn they are essential in providing the kingdom with all its social services, and though some escape paying by working illegally, the king is never remiss in his payment. A ldus looked grave and was about to say an obedient “Yes, Your Majesty,” when Aghatha suddenly appeared on the threshold and burst through Aldus’ submission with an “Oh, Majesty. I didn’t know you were here. Was it you what called for me, or did Mr. Craudhliegh ring the bell?” “Something of a joint effort, I believe,” said the king. “There has been a bit of an accident, Aghatha.” “Accident, Majesty?” Aghatha raised a brow as the king pointed to the stain on the carpet. Aldus’ immaculate habits would not have allowed him to be the destroyer of such a treasure. She was thoughtful whilst her mind r...

Happy birthday to Soledhan, Little Jaicobh, and Prince Dorrin! Since the boys share close birthdays, they celebrate them together in one large commemoration with the whole family. As a birthday gift, Kai Linaa made this picture for the boys and decided to join them herself by the pond and take part in all the revelry that such happy moments can furnish.

Aldus, the kingdom's treasurer, takes cleanliness in the workplace very seriously, so much in fact that anyone who steps near his threshold must scrape their boots and scuff their feet to keep from getting the smallest spec of dirt on his beloved carpet. While the carpet isn't his, it is an ancient relic from Frewyn's past and must be cared for by someone, regardless of how many people dislike it: A ll Aldus’ forbearance for loquacious princes, spoiled relics, and caked boots had done, for he had borne it all and said nothing to guard himself against scolding Frewyn’s First Son. So much disorder and dirtiness—it was insufferable! The tribulation to his nerves had rendered his temper irredeemable, and all the peace of numbers and sums with which he had begun his day was now undone. He should never know equanimity again until the disgrace of the carpet had been set to rights. How the king had remained so unaffected by the decimation of relic was a wonder to him, and w...