Turner's Antics: GUEST POST: Tales from Frewyn by Michelle Franklin

I love this series from Michelle Franklin and have read and reviewed this early last year, but wanted to participate in this awesome tour. Please find below my part in a read-a-long, this is part 3. Plus there is a fantastic giveaway at the bottom too!

How Bryeison Broke the Latrine

Part Three

All were sworn in, all saluted, and after the commander roared his first orders, he took to assigning Draeden and Bryeison the remainder of their new regiments. They were not only to lead as captains, but they must now also train recruits themselves, and though Bryeison had little doubts as to gaining the obedience of his men, Draeden had his uncertainties. Would they dissent, would they take to his style of fighting, would they refuse to obey him due to his being prince were all questions that accompanied him as he danced from the lines over to the broken latrine.

"I only heard Suilli shouting a few minutes ago," he told Bryeison. "Fortunately, I had fallen asleep in my uniform, otherwise I should have been late on my first day as a First Captain, and that would not have shown me very worthy. Why didn't you come to wake me? And what happened to the latrine? It was very well last night. Did you use it this morning?"

Bryeison half smiled, and his eyes twinkled. "I did."

"And did you have something to do with this? Of course you did, otherwise you should not be grinning so. How long were you in there?"

"About five minutes."

"And you managed to do that in such a short time?" Draeden looked unconvinced. "You cannot have had to go that terribly."

"It required more force than usual."

"Well, that's what comes from not eating enough fresh fruits. I know all your love is for vegetables and meats, but a good bit of milk in your diet will help regulate you."

Bryeison could not help laughing.

"Well," Draeden huffed, "that is the end of our nice latrine. Now I shall have to walk all the way to the theatre."

"You could go in the hunting grounds."

"And have someone mistake my business for fewmets? I don't want to find a hunting hound at my bunk and wake up to it gnawing on my leg." He glanced charily at Bryeison. "You did wash your hands, I hope."

Bryeison shrugged and smiled to himself, considering how had cleansed himself on MacMillian's tabard whilst carrying him to the cleric.

While they were waiting for all the men in their new regiments to be assigned and collected, they went to the tower by way of the parapets at a casual pace, but once they came to the peristyle, Draeden began to hasten and hop about.

"I do hope Langliegh can be put to for fixing our small latrine soon," he said hastily, breaking into a trot. "Now whenever I shall have to go in the middle of the night, I will have to dance all the way to the tower. I loathe being made to mount those steps when I have to go, and it is so abominably cold, especially in winter. The draft from the bottom is insufferable. I shiver unmercifully every time I sit down- and don't tell me to stand up while doing that."

Bryeison rumbled with mirth. "You could appeal to have a furnace installed in the collection chamber."

"That is true, but the stench of roasting filth should molder me. It is bad enough in the summer. I know my father has all the latrines and chambers cleaned thoroughly once a day, but really-" Draeden opened the latrine tower door and groaned. "Bryeison," he cried, lamenting over the endless staircase before him, "why did you have to break our lovely latrine?" He mounted the stair, pining with every stile, but all his complaints ceased and gave way to sighs of relief once he was beyond the chamber door. A few moments passed, and Draeden emerged from the latrine tower with a most satisfied countenance. "Perhaps we should appeal for a furnace," he mused, his features rapt in euphoric bliss. "My poor bottom was shivering, and my virility most certainly began to recede. I should have frozen if it were in any colder in there. Perhaps my father will concede to have a coal range installed if only to ensure the Brennin line has an heir. I shall be very sad if I should shrivel before I have any occasion to use my inheritance."

Bryeison laughed and shook his head and walked with Draeden back toward the training yard.

Follow along the read-along!

June 4 -- Part One @ Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf

June 6 -- Part Two @ JAustenwannabe Presents

June 9 -- Part Three @ Turner's Antics

June 16 -- Part Four @ Evolved World

Title: Tales from Frewyn
Series: Volume 1
Author: Michelle Franklin
Publisher: Red Willow Press
Release Date: May 2011
Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance

The Haanta Series is the longest, ongoing, online romantic fantasy series. Thousands of readers visit the world of the Two Continents to enjoy the daily short stories featuring all their favorite characters from the Haanta Series novels. In between the business of the books, the commander, Rautu, Otenohi, Unghaahi, Leraa, Kai Linaa and Alasdair enjoy some time together in Diras Castle, but as the stories portray, mischief lies in every corner of the keep where spiders, chocolate pies, petulant giants and grouchy cooks abound.