"A man is not a man unless he bleeds for land or family." - Nethan Garde What can a simple farmstead do against a wealthy corporation? In the world of Amoen, where centaurs roam and bullets fly, the frontier town of Picklewood has managed to maintain relative peace for a decade. But its residents-especially the farmers on its outskirts-are about to witness the heartbreaking end to that peace. Tragedy befalls Mak Garde and his family in this brutal tale of protection, love, suspense, and hardship, when the Westen Freight Railing Company from the city of Dogford in the North invades their property intending to lay rail without permission. The Garde family must make a life changing decision. Will they flee? Or will they fight? No matter their choice, Mak is forced to determine what, if anything, is truly worth the blood.