_No longer in print. This book has been vastly expanded into [A Plague of Hatred](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84282563.APlagueofHatred "A Plague of Hatred") and [At the Crossroads of Swords](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211322293.AttheCrossroadsofSwords "At the Crossroads of Swords") A quarter of the haggard populace must flee, hide, or die when faced with the question: what do you do when your own home declares you wicked and demands your death? Within this dark epic fantasy, the largest church of a medieval-like empire condemns a minority church as evil. Soon, a soldier struggles with orders to kill, as he must decide if what is "right" can change by Church decree. A normal townswoman must fight as her people are sentenced to death in the empire where they've lived all their lives. Far away, two men from conflicting nations attempt to forge a relationship while trying to forge an alliance. Farther still, an elf boy sees the destruction of his peaceful home for nothing but a would-be weapon. Finally, a small nation must call on the Dark for help when the Light betrays them. Throughout the world of Perdinok, a range of people have their lives upended as unrest turns to civil war and turns to war on other nations. In the end, the sanctimonious empire unearths an ancient power that threatens all. Only a Demoness can put things right, but she holds her own agenda.