This is a novel of American history and its journey from wild frontier into the twentieth century. Two witnesses to this turbulent evolution tell their stories. One is an ancient Spanish alchemist searching for the philosopher's stone from his hut in the New Mexico desert. He devotes his long life to hunting for the secrets of the old gods. But will they give him the answers to his quest for meaning? The other is the fabled Pat Garrett, the man who killed his poker buddy, Billy the Kid. Haunted by Billy for the rest of his life, Pat Garrett searches for peace. Together and separately, Garrett and the alchemist journey through time and history searching for answers to their ancient questions.