Madrid 1938. Carlos Tejada Alonso y Leon is a Sergeant in the Guardia Civil, a rare rank for one not yet 30, but Tejada is an unusual recruit. Second son of a wealthy family of landowners, he is an enthusiast for the Catholic Franquista cause - a dedicated and triumphant Nationalist. The bitter war between the Nationalists and the Republicans has drawn international attention, drawing fascists and communists from around Europe. When the Nationalists triumph in Madrid and begin to impose order, Tejada finds the body of his friend and goes in search of justice.