“It seems your horse is up to his usual antics.”ĭolt turned as if he knew they were speaking of him. Aaslo turned to find the marquess’s party watching the display from atop their mounts. “More sage forester wisdom?” called a familiar voice. In the choosing, he decides what kind of man he wants to be.” You’re a man, and a man can choose to make things more difficult, or he can choose to help. The crowd roared with laughter as the young guard toppled into the fountain.Īaslo turned to the first guard with a heavy sigh, crossed his arms, and said, “Doesn’t matter your position. The young man shouted and hastily reached for the cap, but Dolt dodged the attempt with a pleased knicker. “What did you say?”ĭolt snorted, turned his massive head, and nabbed the second guard’s hat from his head. “Stable hands are usually bigger,” Aaslo muttered. The guard drew a baton from his belt and pointed it at Aaslo. He said, “All right, how about you help me get him out, and then we can both be on with our business.” If you don’t get him out of there right now, we’ll have to arrest you for disturbing the peace.”Ī crowd started to form, and Aaslo wanted to get away before attracting any more attention. “Well, he’s your responsibility, and you’ll be paying for any damages. “Can’t you see that I’m trying?” Aaslo muttered. “What do you think you’re doing? Get that horse out of the fountain!” said the first, a brown-haired fellow with a thick mustache and a dimpled chin.

By the time Aaslo had his feet firmly on the ground, two city guards had joined him. Shouts from the crowd echoed his own, except that they were directed at him. Aaslo tumbled onto the fountain’s ledge as he gracelessly dismounted while scolding the horse. He then proceeded to flick the water with his tail, flinging it several paces in every direction, seemingly delighted by the patrons’ protests. Upon reaching the feature of glistening, blue water, Dolt refused to heed Aaslo’s command to stop and instead hopped over the fountain’s rim to stand beneath the frothy spray. Check out Kel’s intro to the book, read a short excerpt below, then head over to Tor.com for a closer look at the cover!Īaslo urged his horse forward.

This fall, Kings Dark Tidings author Kel Kade brings us Fate of the Fallen, the first in her new Shroud of Prophecy series. What happens when the chosen one fails? You grab a couple of willing miscreants, a grossly incompetent horse, and maybe one or two insane people, and try to save the world anyway. Sometimes you don’t get lofty heroes, angels, kings, and chosen ones.

Kel kade dark tidings