The Duel

A Texas Ranger undercover in Mount Hermon, Kingston is driven by duty and a personal vendetta tied to his father’s death in a Helena Duel. He hides his true purpose, maintaining a calm exterior while probing the town’s secrets. His discipline and resolve push him toward a fatal showdown with Brant.

A preacher and mayor who wields authority like a weapon, Brant uses fear to maintain control. He is manipulative, calculating, and willing to abduct Mexicans to fuel a brutal pastime. His personal history with Kingston deepens the clash and exposes a corrupt fusion of faith and power.

Kingston’s wife, caught between loyalty and fear as Brant exploits her vulnerability. Her stance hardens under pressure, making her a conflicted figure who mirrors the town’s moral ambiguity. She becomes a pawn in the power struggle between Kingston and Brant.

The missing niece of a Mexican general, Maria embodies resilience amidst captivity. Her presence anchors Kingston’s mission and underscores the human cost of Mount Hermon’s brutality. Her eventual rescue is pivotal to the story’s moral stakes.

An abused prostitute who trades information for a chance at freedom, Naomi embodies the exploitation at the town’s core. Her fate—hanging at Brant’s hands—highlights the brutal consequences of seeking truth in Mount Hermon.

Brant’s son, a volatile challenger who incites Kingston to a Helena Duel. He embodies the frontier lineage’s dangerous zeal and acts as a catalyst for the story’s climactic conflict.

The military authority whose niece’s disappearance inspires Kingston’s pursuit. He represents official power beyond Mount Hermon and lends gravity to the border conflict, grateful when Maria is returned.