Set about 15 years after the world fell apart, a nomadic physician struggles to survive in a savage frontier of the poor and powerless, trying to balance her calling as a healer with the necessity of killing for survival. As a consequence, maybe she's become more skilled with her saber than she is with a scalpel, and she's trying to get out from under that reputation.
In Chapter 2, traveling westward, looking for work and running from her past, Dr. Jenny Hanover has arrived at the surprisingly prosperous fort of Turtle Island.
Not exactly tricked (but perhaps taken advantage of) by the fort's manager, Ernie Martinez, Hanover agrees to train the fort's militia in close-combat swordsmanship -- a skill they lack.
Hung over and grouchy on a blisteringly hot morning, Hanover is teamed up with Master-at-Arms Dave Rogers to scavenge steel for new militia blades. Far from home, the salvage squad is attacked by a brutal gang of robbers and chased overland back to Turtle Island.
The salvagers have arrived at the gates to the fort, and as the gates close, Hanover and her faithful steed Old Paint have deliberately remained outside to settle a score.
Here they come.