He came riding down out of Abilene into the war clouds bellying up over Big Bend. The scent of death was in Brent Mackey's nostrils, and as sure as he was Cross Anchor's ramrod he would be riding point in the battle against Bushard. Bushard wanted Anchor, the king spread of this vast Texas plain. Mackey said no. Bushard wanted Seanna Winter, the girl Mackey had dreamed of every mile up the trail and back. Mackey said no. Big Bend stretched as far as the eye could travel, but for both Mackey and Bushard it was too small.... Somewhere out there a grave was waiting.