The Sin War Box Set: Birthright, Scales of the Serpent, and The Veiled Prophet by Richard A. Knaak

understand his predicament.
    “No!” Uldyssian cried out. “No!”
    The ground shook. People toppled over. Something whistled past his ear.
    As the tremor overtook Seram, a hand pulled Uldyssian away. It was not Mendeln’s, however, but Lylia’s.
    “This is our only chance! Come!”
    Unable—and unwilling—to think anymore, he allowed her to guide him out of the village. Although those around them seemed unable to keep their footing, neither the farmer nor the noblewoman had any difficulty.
    Someone shouted his name. Despite Lylia’s tugging, Uldyssian looked back and saw Mendeln on all fours. His brother was trying to follow, but suffered the same trouble as the rest of Seram.
    Ignoring Lylia’s protest, he went back for Mendeln. Mendeln took his hand and suddenly found his footing. Holding tight, Uldyssian led his brother from the chaos.
    “Horses!” Mendeln shouted above the din. “We need horses!”
    Uldyssian was about to argue that they had no time to secure even one animal let alone five, when suddenly a horse raced ahead of them. It was followed by several more, all bearing the saddles of the Cathedral of Light. They raced directly into the woods…and straight into the waiting hands of Achilios.
    Skilled in dealing with animals, the hunter easily brought under control three. Serenthia managed to catch another, but let a fifth escape.
    Uldyssian paused before the hunter, the two lifelong friends reading into each other’s gazes.
    “We must be away from here,” Achilios finally said, thrusting the reins of two horses toward the farmer. “Away until they come to their senses.”
    But both men knew that such a thing would never happen. Achilios and Serenthia could return, yes, and would, if the farmer had his way. However, Uldyssian—and by fault of blood, Mendeln—were likely saying good-bye to their home forever.
    “We’ve only four mounts,” the trader’s daughter gasped. “Uldyssian, you and I could—”
    “I shall ride with you, Uldyssian,” interjected Lylia. “She is welcome to the other horse.”
    Serenthia looked ready to argue, but Uldyssian, reacting to the noblewoman’s words, had already returned one set of reins. Achilios quickly handed them to Mendeln, who eyed the reins as if they had turned into serpents.
    “Mount up!” urged the archer. “The tremor seems to be subsiding!”
    Sure enough, all was slowly quieting in Seram. Uldyssian wondered if the tremor would renew its throes if he willed it so, then cursed himself for even thinking of such a thing. Whether or not he was somehow responsible, enough people had already been harmed or even slain due to events. To wish for something that might endanger others further was to him nearly as terrible as the crimes to which he had been accused.
    He glanced around at the few who had stood by him. Of all of them, Serenthia was the most innocent. Surely, she at least could return now rather than later.
    “Serry! Go back to the village! No one likely saw you! Go back to your father and brothers—”
    She gave him a defiant look. “Not until I know that you’re safe!”
    To Uldyssian’s surprise, Achilios added his support to her rather than to his friend. “She should ride with us for a time until things are settled. Now, no more talk!”
    “To the southeast!” Lylia declared without warning. “Ride to the southeast! We will be safest there!”
    Unfamiliar with that region, Uldyssian looked at the hunter, but Achilios only shrugged. He had not been much farther from Seram than his companions.
    Lylia leaned near Uldyssian’s ear, her breath warm and stimulating. “Trust me,” she whispered. “The southeast…”
    “To the southeast, then!” he growled to the others. “And away from this madness…”
    With the noblewoman’s arms locked around his waist and her soft head against his back, Uldyssian ul-Diomed urged his mount on. Behind him came the others, Achilios taking up the rear.
    It would all resolve itself, the