A/N: Warning, prejudice issues. This is written during a time when there was extreme prejudice against certain groups.

Knights of the Golden Circle

Prologue

A man in a red robe with a black hood stood in a large room lit with torches. The chairs had been pulled back to where they were lining the walls where others were seated. During the day the room was used for other purposes, but tonight it was being used for another. The time was nearing midnight, a time for secretive work. The man at one end of the room waited patiently, yet expectantly. This was a night to be honored and celebrated though the atmosphere had a solemn purpose to it. The celebration would come later. The group numbered no more than nine. Their numbers were small, but they believed themselves to be the most powerful group ever created. With this new one entering their midst, their hopes soared to new heights. They had come from all over the territory to witness this event. It was rare to invest a new member so soon. Only the oldest families whose history went back to the beginning were allowed to join. Their purpose had been different at one time, but now changed.

The man that waited called toward two doors at the end of the large room. "Bring in the initiate."

Two others entered, also wearing hoods and red robes, escorted a third man between them. The man's head was completely covered with a burlap bag that had been dyed black so the initiate could not see where he was being led.

"Remove the bag."

As the black bag was removed, the man rubbed his eyes as glare from the torchlight assaulted his cornea.

"You have been brought here because you passed the test. Everything about you has proven to be true as you had said. Such impeccable family lineage, it is an honor to add you to our circle. Invest him with the robe."

One of the two escorts stepped over to a wardrobe and opened the doors. Hanging in the space was a single red garment with a black hood. It had been placed there earlier in the day. Along one of the lapels was an insignia – a golden circle encompassing what appeared to a large landmass. There were symbols running below the circle. Looking closely the symbols resembled a snake in various positions, a copperhead.

The figure carried the robe with reverence to the man, now one of them. His partner helped to slip the robe onto the new member and raised the hood in place, concealing the identity of its wearer. Then the two escorts stepped back.

"This robe is your shield. It protects your identity from the other members. Only a few know your true self, and so shall you know a few of us. You know that our numbers are small. Not everyone knows every member. That is for the protection of the circle. This garment is the outward symbol of your oath. By wearing this, you acknowledge that our cause is just. Only our kind will be allowed to own property and to hold office. Only our kind will be allowed to go where we wish. The rest are dust under our feet, including many who look like us but have no true lineage such as ours. And of course, there are those whose skin do not match our own. We may no longer be their masters, but we will never be their slaves. Now, there are these yellow-skinned heathen, these Chinese. The Chinese must not remain in our territory or suffer the consequences. They must leave or we will show them their place is in hell."

Their new brethren bowed and began to chant. "Death to all Chinese who remain!"

The others joined in until the leader had to silence the raising furry.

"Come, it is time that you know more of our plans."

The three men led the fourth now wearing his new robe toward a map that covered a portion of one wall. The map covered several territories. Lines along the map showed where the railroad was constructing new lines.

"We are planning on hitting them here and here once they reach this area. It's far from any larger towns. If they succeed in putting those lines in, more of those yellow heathen will want to stay. They're worse than the Mexicans or the Indians.

"This is our territory. We don't want them here."

"What do you want me to do?"

"You're to go to this town and go to the post office. In box 23 you will find instructions waiting. We have a man on the inside. He will provide us with the information we need."

"When do we strike?"

"Soon. We'll show those yellow skinned devils we don't want their kind here."

Kwai Chang Caine left the safety of the trees and headed down to the stream. He bent down and took a long drink then filled his canteen. It had been several days since he had left Lordsville for the open road. A storm had come and gone but in that time a feeling of impending doom had also descended on his soul. Someone needed his aid, but he did not know from whence it came. This new country was vast. Caine focused on the feeling then headed Northeast, back toward the railroad camps. Whatever trouble was brewing, it was certainly going to happen there.

Continues with Part 1