Wild Bill Hickok #18

Chief Black Hawk finds himself caught between survival and principle when a new trader at the American fort cuts off credit and threatens his people with starvation during the War of 1812. Forced to ally with the British to secure provisions, Black Hawk leads Indian forces into battle against the Americans—only to witness the brutal defeat that leaves him questioning everything he's fought for. Returning to his village, he discovers a far more personal betrayal awaits.

Charles John Fremont accepts a dangerous surveying mission to map a railroad route through the San Juan Mountains—territory controlled by the Apache chief Cochin—while restless warriors pressure him toward conflict. With a party of twenty-five seasoned mountain men and a mysterious shipment from Kansas City, Fremont pushes through the foothills under constant watch, racing against winter to complete the survey before the pass becomes impassable. Tension mounts as the expedition draws closer to its objective, with Cochin's warriors growing ever more impatient for battle.

Kit West signs on as wagon train commander heading toward the Missouri settlements, but her authority is challenged when Prince Rudolph of Mordavia arrives demanding to lead the expedition—a royal exile fleeing a tragic past in Europe who insists on proving himself on the American frontier. As prejudice and suspicion mount among the men, a string of disasters plagues the train, and Kit must uncover whether the Prince is truly the jinx they believe him to be, or if something far more dangerous is at work.