by John Francois

Marc Delaterre has barely survived the havoc of the Civil War in south Louisiana. Now he begins experiencing the evils of Reconstruction. His son Duc has joined the Knights of the White Camellia. This clandestine organization targets carpetbaggers and the hapless freedmen who have become political pawns in the hands of the hated Republicans. Duc, as a Knight, is involved in the acts of brutality, especially against the freedmen. In doing so, he discovers in himself a flaw so terrible that he cannot tell anyone, nor live with it. Marc, learning of his son's actions, is horrified and decides to root out the evil in the boy. In trying to help his son, Marc reveals information to him that slowly begins to destroy Duc.