When the Volunteer Texas Mounted Rifles under Confederate General Henry Sibley were defeated at Glorietta Pass in New Mexico Territory, Captain Asa Adams realized that Northern victory was only a matter of time. Sick of bloodshed, weary of battle, Adams and a company of his soldiers decided to found a peaceful colony in the upper Pecos Valley. There, with their families, they would work and pray and put violence behind them forever.

A year alter, as they prepare to celebrate the success of their new homes and lives, a terrifying midnight surprise attack more horrible than any battle leaves a score of men, women and children dead, dying or maimed.

Asa survives long enough to charge his son, Clayt, with the responsibility of finding out who was behind the inhuman slaughter—and why. But it’s not simple revenge that Asa wants. “Promise me, son, to bring the guilty ones back to the federal marshal. Promise me you won’t take the law into your own hands...promise…”

Clayt and his closest friend, Oss pick up the suspects’ trail in a Las Vegas saloon and follow it—day and night—until it leads them to the murderers.

But will Clayt ignore his father’s last wish? Will he forget his promise and take his rightful revenge on the men who slew his unarmed friends…his own father?