In the middle of the night, a drunk town guard happens to meet the daughter of a rich merchant… who drowned herself into a well 10 years ago. Soon after the town guard falls dead from the tower. This is followed by two other suspicious deaths. Doubting the existence of the ghost, Melchior has a hunch that these ‘accidents’ are part of a heinous crime. Tracking down the killer, his path will cross with heretics, old feuds and dark family secrets.

Based on an acclaimed 1935 novel about the War of Liberation (1918-1920) that ensured Estonia's independence, the film tells about a group of young schoolboys heading to the front to fight the army of Soviet Russia.
Two brothers choose the opposite sides in a civil war of a small country. November 1918 the army of Soviet Union conquers Narva´s and Petser´s cities in spite of their peaceful announcements. Government of Estonia declares general mobilization. Ahas, son from a poor family, in his inner struggles, joins the troop of his classmates and heads for the front. Through battles and adventures Ahas and his companions grow up, but destiny has some bitter surprises to offer.