September 1, 1863

Bates County, Missouri

"Their blood has stained the floors of this house, and their dying words are carved into the walls."

Eighteen-year-old Ava Bowman loved her life...or she did until today. She clutched her valise and the heavy pillowcase her grandmother had sent with her. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought about her granny's last words.

"No matter what happens, Ava-no matter what you hear-do not come back to this house. We love you. Now be a good girl and hide in your tree."

Ava crouched in the top of the tall tree and watched the soldiers dismount in front of her house. She could hear her grandmother's angry voice, and her skin prickled as she tried to hold herself motionless.

Heavy boots clomped up the stairway. Soon, a soldier leaned out her bedroom window and looked up the tree. Ava held her breath.

The small farm where Ava Bowman lives is on the border of Kansas and Missouri. Border fighting made life difficult even before the War of Northern Aggression began. Now, in the war's third year, a new evil has been unleashed on the citizens of Missouri-the dreaded Kansas Red Legs.

Join Ava and those she loves as they try to survive "the war between us."