"1883 Wyoming Territory. The death of kindhearted Ida Sawbridge is mourned by many, none more so than her cousin, successful rancher George Gault-a brutal, resolute man. Learning that Ida died after drinking an elixir sold by a traveling theater troupe, Gault goes on a blood ride to track down the troupe and exact vengeance. Among Gault's posse is Alworth Nevins, an untested young Easterner who abandoned his Yale education to explore the West. Alworth has no interest in vengeance. Rather, he secretly hopes to protect a certain member of the troupe: Two Robes, a young Lakota Sioux woman skilled at quoting Shakespeare. Also in the mix is an outlaw band led by "Bloodless" John McNulty, Irish-born gentleman rogue, who, despite a long history of violence, has never felt the touch of a bullet. McNulty is pursuing his own quest, one prompted by a series of mystical dreams. The paths of the various bands move toward a deadly convergence outside the town of Black Powder. There, a final reckoning will determine the fates of all involved"--,Provided by publisher.