Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars. You're listening to Fate of the Fallen by Calcade.

Chapter 9

A white marble fountain stood in the center of the square at the front entrance of the palace.

Despite the unreasonable heat that morning, the center square was bustling with patrons,

merchants, and city officials.

Shops lined three sides of the square, and a ten-foot

wall topped with iron spikes occupied the fourth. A massive iron gate manned by four palace guards

stood opposite the fountain. Aslo urged his horse forward. Upon reaching the feature of glistening

blue water,

Dolt refused to heed Aslo's command to stop,

and instead hopped over the fountain's rim to stand beneath the frothy spray.

He then proceeded to flick the water with his tail,

flinging at several paces in every direction,

seemingly delighted by the patron's protests.

Aslo tumbled onto the fountain's ledge as he gracelessly dismounted while scolding the horse.

Shouts from the crowd echoed his own, except that they were directed at him.

By the time Aslo had his feet firmly on the ground, two city guards had joined him.

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. Oh, you're in trouble now. Can't you see that

I'm trying? Aslo muttered. The infernal Beast does what he wants. Well, he's your responsibility,

and you'll be paying for any damages. If you don't get him out of there right now, we'll have to

arrest you for disturbing the peace. A crowd started to form, and Aslo wanted to get away before

...