In a civil war within a small country, two brothers choose different sides. In November 1918, the Soviet Army occupies the cities of Narva and Petser, despite their official assurances of peace. The Estonian Government declares general mobilization in the country. Ahas, a son of a poor family, fights with his conscience, but finally decides to join his classmates on their journey to the front. Through battles and adventure, Ahas and his friends grow to become men, but fate also has some bitter surprises in store for them.