Francois Limousin was a ruthless tyrant who berated his youngest son mercilessly at every turn. Yet Jean thrived in spite of him, honing his body and his mind until he excelled at shooting, riding and surviving in the harsh wilderness. He even survived his brother's tragic death, although he couldn't escape the vice that caused it: gambling. Lured into a high-stakes card game, Jean finds himself on the losing end and must strike off on his own if he wishes to avoid the wrath of his father. Without money or friends, he heads west. But Francois Limousin has a long reach, and Jean has learned from the past that his father isn't afraid to kill a son to uphold the family honor.