Waking Up & Falling Down: Second Bookend of the TotKW Saga

Download the free sample!

Second Bookend:
Waking Up & Falling Down

Epilogue of Book I & Prologue of Book II

The story of Larin the Builder
in the Epilogue of Awakening
& the Prologue of Broken

This two-part novella contains both the epilogue of Book One and the prologue of Book Two in the Chronicles of Mother's Gate series.

It is the second bookend of the Tales of the Known World saga, and is best read after finishing the first book, Awakening.

It's a great follow-up to Book One, a bonus story that adds extra layers between books without being necessary to the main storyline.

It recounts the story of Larin the builder, who wakes from her ordeal only to lie about her memories of it, and whose ordeal first begins when her soul is cast into the Nine Hells.

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Waking Up follows the story of Larin, who is alive but unconscious after her ordeal in the Nine Hells.

She awakens in A'lara City a few days later and recuperates under the steadfast care of her repentant friend Jorn.

As she reacclimates to her waking state, Larin struggles with her gruesome memories of the Hells and her decision to conceal them from Jorn.

This story answers the question, Is Larin all right? with a resounding yes, and some storms on the horizon. It also raises the question, What happened to her down there? and transitions into the sister story Falling Down, about Larin's ordeal in the Nine Hells.

In Falling Down, Larin begins her ordeal when her soul is cast down into this eerie realm.

Disoriented and alone, she confronts a timeless abyss and journeys to emerge from it unscathed. But all too soon, the pain of her new reality sets in.

When she escapes the abyss at last, Larin encounters another disembodied soul and learns the chilling truth: she must absorb the alien magic of the Nine Hells if she ever hopes to find her way out.

This story answers the question, What happened to her down there? and raises new questions about Larin's fate. These questions transition into Broken, Book Two of the saga, where Larin's story continues, revealing more about her trauma and the epic journey into healing she must undertake.

Praise for Waking Up and Falling Down:

Loved it. The difference between the two stories is great!

The difference between Waking Up and Falling Down is astounding. So much light and love in the first story. You feel safe reading it. Healing.

The second, so much darkness, pain and despair. The choice of vocabulary is awesome and makes an impact.

And this set of short stories ties the two saga novels together so well.

-- Dana V. of Texas ★★★★★

Have you read this short story?
Please write your own review.

See all TotKW reviews at www.DNFrost.com/praise.

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Scribe Ascribed: an exclusive prologue

This post is Part 1 of a series to augment the Chronicles of Mother's Gate available for free download.

This and other published stories are gathered in my Books Directory for you to explore.

Find more exclusive content in my Exclusive Directory.

Scribe Ascribed

Prologue of Set 1

The story of Farwen the Apprentice
in the prologue of the Chronicles of Mother's Gate

Download the free prologue Scribe Ascribed:

This short story is the prologue of the Chronicles of Mother's Gate series, the first set of books in the Tales of the Known World saga, and it can be read at any point in the series. It's a great little introduction to the saga, a bonus story set apart from the full-length narrative.

Scribe Ascribed follows the story of Farwen, who is one of many apprentices to a renowned map-maker.

When his master invites him to scribe the myriad tales of the Known World, young Farwen eagerly sets aside his studies in favor of their new project.

As the initial tale draws to a close, Farwen faces a life-changing decision: resign from the project to create the maps for the story, or abandon his apprenticeship to become a dedicated scribe.

This story answers the question, Who is writing the tales of the Known World? with a well-traveled map-maker and his young apprentice. It also raises the question, What started it all? and includes an excerpt from the sister story Tribe Untied, about the persecution of a little boy named Darek.


Praise for Scribe Ascribed and Tribe Untied:

Thank you very much for bringing this wonderful book to my attention!

The concept of making a book just for prologues is refreshing and definitely making me long for the full stories.

The thing that struck me the most is how authentic every character's voice is and how easy to differentiate them is. The writing is really polished and easy to read.

As an old fantasy fanatic, I'm definitely going to read the rest of D.N. Frost's books.

-- Dr. Julia of Bucharest ★★★★★

Have you read this short story?
Please write your own review.

See all TotKW reviews at www.DNFrost.com/praise.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Scribe Ascribed & Tribe Untied: First Bookend of the TotKW Saga

Download the free sample!

First Bookend:
Scribe Ascribed & Tribe Untied

Prologues of the First Chronicles & Book I

The stories of Farwen the Apprentice
in the Prologue of Mother's Gate
& the Prologue of Awakening

This two-part novella contains both the prologue to the Chronicles of Mother's Gate series and the prologue to the first book of that series.

It is the first bookend of the Tales of the Known World saga, and can be read at any point in the series.

It's a great little introduction to the saga, a quick bonus story set apart from the full-length narrative.

It recounts the story of Farwen the apprentice, who scribes his old master's memoirs, and the story of Darek the shifter, whose family suffers persecution for his magical gifts.

Want an ebook but don't have a Kindle?
Get the free reading app here.

Scribe Ascribed follows the story of Farwen, who is one of many apprentices to a renowned map-maker.

When his master invites him to scribe the myriad tales of the Known World, young Farwen eagerly sets aside his studies in favor of their new project.

As the initial tale draws to a close, Farwen faces a life-changing decision: resign from the project to create the maps for the story, or abandon his apprenticeship to become a dedicated scribe.

This story answers the question, Who is writing the tales of the Known World? with a well-traveled map-maker and his young apprentice. It also raises the question, What started it all? and transitions into the sister story Tribe Untied, about the persecution of a little boy named Darek.

In Tribe Untied, Darek is a four-year-old boy who lives on his mother's valley farm. An ominous visit leaves Darek helpless and alone, until his grandfather arrives to relocate him to safety.

Too young to understand the persecution he faces, Darek grapples with the dangers that force him onto his uncle Galen's remote homestead.

This story answers the question, What started it all? and raises new questions about Darek's fate. These questions transition into Awakening, Book One of the saga, where Darek's story continues, revealing more about his persecution and the methodic evil he must outwit.

Praise for Scribe Ascribed and Tribe Untied:

Thank you very much for bringing this wonderful book to my attention!

The concept of making a book just for prologues is refreshing and definitely making me long for the full stories.

The thing that struck me the most is how authentic every character's voice is and how easy to differentiate them is. The writing is really polished and easy to read.

As an old fantasy fanatic, I'm definitely going to read the rest of D.N. Frost's books.

-- Dr. Julia of Bucharest ★★★★★

Have you read this short story?
Please write your own review.

See all TotKW reviews at www.DNFrost.com/praise.

---

Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XXIV of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

The wayward son at last is found
Amidst the bloody sand
And steadfast stolen legend bound
Entreats a loyal band

But master in the throes of grief
And crowned of empress mourned
Are slow to trust the greener leaf
Of foe's entreaty scorned

As loyal son blames but himself
And master blames the seas
Together join their wary stealth
To bitter moment please

At last as one the two embark
To save their wayward soul
They cross the lost horizon dark
And risk Allana whole.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

The last prophesy in Broken, this portent opens a number of scenes at the end of Part 4, and it foretells events soon to come in Book 3. Who do you think the wayward son is, and what stolen legend does he embark to save?

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Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

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Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Dohlak Nkyenvi Kaedya X
3:2:2:7/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this series! Check out my latest portents for more.

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XXIII of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

Awaking gate at water's edge
The legend now belies
Though master begged an honest pledge
He cannot shake the guise

The lowly heeds her call to rise
To spill her bloody foes
Beneath her fury agonize
The lauded and the lows

Amidst the horror's deathly throes
The anxious timeless dredge
With tainted crest her reign depose
And sweep her from the ledge.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This epic portent is documented in Part 4 of Broken, and it comes to pass less than two weeks later. Who do you think is the awaking gate at water's edge, and what tainted crest is used to sweep her from the ledge?

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Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

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Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Ansoh Njyae Dynde IV
D 3:2:1:1/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here did not result from a prophetic trance. Rather, it was actively produced using a special potion. A document dateline is used instead of a standard dateline to note when the potion was taken and the resulting portent was recorded.


That's it for this post! Up Next: The wayward son at last is found...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XXII of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

The legacy of grandest guest
In whom the timeless all invest
Can naught but timeless night ingest
To light the way and truth request

In segregated serenade
Accrues begrudging accolade
His love undone and truth betrayed
For brother's unsought escapade

Like heresy of desert doomed
Intrepid sea has bloody bloomed
And prince of will is now entombed
His patience lost and fate assumed.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This prophesy opens two scenes in Part 4 of Broken, heralding events that take place in Book 3. Who do you think the grandest guest is, and what might he ingest to light the way during his brother's unsought escapade?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Sondynni Kuhdanos Lohki XVII
3:2:1:1/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: Awaking gate at water's edge...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XXI of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

Through thick and thin the errant voice
Explores the light of day
While tried and true unerrant go
With fortunes shut away

In dire need the prince absolved
Collects his souls astray
Extending oath of ghostly crown
To all who join the fray.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This portent opens a single scene in Part 4 of Broken, but it foretells events from Book 4. Who do you think the errant voice and prince absolved are, and what is the oath of ghostly crown that they extend?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Randohk Jihwonni Dohari XV
3:1:4:6/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: Can naught but timeless night ingest...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Fantasy Map Maker Jump Start: 61 Easy Tips for Fantasy World Building with Real Earth Science

BONUS: A mapping how-to!

Fantasy Map Maker Jump Start:

61 Easy Tips for Fantasy World Building with Real Earth Science

The world-building book for creative people who want to develop their
worlds with the confidence backed by modern earth science.

In this concise and practical how-to guide, professional author and creative cartographer, D.N.Frost, explains the myriad ways our planet creates all the environments on Earth, and she delivers those concepts in 61 useful bite-sized tips that help you to:

• Build your fantasy world with a blueprint of how civilizations thrive and the power of geology in your back pocket.

• Make your world make sense. And keep all the features you love.

• Create the coolest world you can dream up. With unique places and cultures that defy logic but still feel real.

Within FANTASY MAP MAKER JUMP START, you'll learn why the Earth formed as it did, how to mirror that realism in your invented world, how to adapt your fantasy cultures to their unique environment, and how to break all the rules for the most epic fantasy setting your stories have ever seen.

Want an ebook but don't have a Kindle?
Get the free reading app here.

Praise for Fantasy Map Maker Jump Start:

A very strong book in understanding all that "lies beneath."

Worth the read. I read it cover to cover and will most likely return to it when considering other maps at their origin.

The information within is highly accessible. I would recommend it for the beginner.

-- Maggie A. of USA ★★★★★

Have you used this reference book?
Please write your own review.

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Portent XX of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

The ravaged land encumbered grows
With weary weight of wanton foes
As son regained and legend free
Await the swelling from the sea

Unburdened master braves the dark
Through which no man would dare embark
To conjure and ignite the spark
Of cavern's rage within his plea.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

A cool rhyme scheme threads this short prophesy together. It foretells events that unfold in Book 4, as Allana's leaders seek reinforcements before the final battle. Who do you think comes swelling from the sea, and what might the spark of cavern's rage unleash?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Yowih Nkyehnri Rovikya XIII
3:1:4:4/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: While tried and true unerrant go...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XIX of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

Ungifted guile once laid aside
Admits the pain of rights denied
Defers to crown with granted gain
And quick confers unsullied plain

But free would have their brethren rise
Untarnished souls with open skies
Embrace the king of high and low
And leave the shade of shackle's woe

Some loyal hearts take homeland bleak
Where frantic reconstructions wreak
Yet few decline the call to thrive
In homeland dead but now alive.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This uplifting portent heralds a time of freedom and equality in the aftermath of the great war. It comes to pass in Book 4, when a once enslaved people are invited to embrace the king of high and low.

Who do you think are the untarnished souls, and what could be their homeland dead but now alive?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Wohdu Nahjwi Dynde XIV
3:1:4:5/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: To conjure and ignite the spark...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portents of Mother's Gate: Book of Epic Poetry from the TotKW Saga

Get the Prophesy Appendix!

Book of Epic Poetry:
Portents of Mother's Gate

Prophesy from the era arranged as epic poetry.

In a world rife with prophesy, the future is already written
and the predictions of yesteryear become the story books of today...

As the Chronicles of Mother's Gate unfold, scholars interpret portents old and new to decipher the future of the Known World and publish fresh details for an eager public.

This is a story book of that era, a contemporary publication of epic poetry recounting heroic deeds of the past, the present, and the coming future.

Want an ebook but don't have a Kindle?
Get the free reading app here.

Read sample portents from the saga:

Praise for Portents of Mother's Gate:

These poems are wonderfully rhythmic.

They are an adjunct to other books in the series, considered historical prophecy and repeated at every opportunity to remind us of the impeding events long before ordained.

The rhyme schemes lend ease to memorization, and it is worthy of an indulgent read, especially when read aloud.

I would recommend these as must read if you are reading the other books and an interesting read which would call me to read the series.

-- Karin V. of Calgary ★★★★★

Have you read this book of epic poetry?
Please write your own review.

See all TotKW reviews at www.DNFrost.com/praise.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XVIII of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

In grief's abandon wanton worn
The master faces wayward son
Through dire days of war begun
Of hopes destroyed and forces shorn

The advent dear to legend's heart
Arrives in spite of absence raw
Yet son endures the wicked thaw
As master seeks a place to start

The fractured foes conjoined in light
Hear mentor's maker on the breeze
And brave the jail above the trees
To slay the night and wrest the keys.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This prophesy first appears in Part 3 of Broken, and it heralds events that take place in Book 3. I love how the rhyme scheme changes in the last stanza.

Who are the master and wayward son, and what do you think these fractured foes join forces to accomplish?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Lende Dwihvo Lohki XI
3:1:1:3/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: Yet few decline the call to thrive...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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Portent XVII of Broken: a riddle in rhyme

In the novel Broken, there are 24 portents fortelling the events of the unfolding saga.

Start with Portent I here.

These and other riddles in rhyme are gathered in the Portents Directory for you to explore.

Enjoy!

The sea cannot suppress the fears
Of screaming gate and bloody tears
In timeless grip for all her years
While master's hope destroyed

Though banished voice to gate endears
And famished prince through veil appears
She braces heart as evil rears
To weary tread the void.


Can you decode the future Tales of the Known World?

Share your interpretation!
Comment below with your take on this portent.

This portent foretells the long-awaited cooperation of a mighty power that comes to pass in Book 3. Who do you think the screaming gate refers to, and what is the timeless grip she's endured for all her years?

---

Download the Prophesy Appendix:

The merfolk culture is built on the prophetic Gift. Nearly all men produce a portent every twenty days, and they devote their lives to interpretation. For more about the role and inner workings of prophesy, check out the Prophesy Appendix above.

---

Alongside every prophesy is an attribution block. This block contains a byline giving the name of the person who said the prophesy, and a dateline giving the day the prophesy was first said. Here is the attribution for this portent:

Venluh Ndwevok Kaedya IX
3:1:1:1/5, III:IX

The portent attributed here has not yet been interpreted. It was said recently, and it will be repeated every twenty days until either it is correctly interpreted, or it comes to pass.


That's it for this post! Up Next: The advent dear to legend's heart...

For the Prophesy Appendix, enter your email above.

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Life is an adventure.
Are You Ready?

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