As war breaks out yet again in Europe, evil descends upon Dragan’s beloved Yugoslavia. Dragan’s only guide into the light is his ancestor Djordje.
The story begins in pre-war Yugoslavia, 1939. Dragan is a mischievous adventure seeking adolescent. He hero-worships his ancestor Djordje, Dragan’s great great grandfather. The story is interspersed with dream sequences in which Djordje appears to Dragan. Dragan believes that, particularly through some very dark periods, his destiny is being guided by Djordje.
Dragan lives in Štitare, a small village in rural Serbia. Dragan and his dearest friend and cousin Rada, are involved in many scrapes and adventures. Adolescent first love threatens to destroy their friendship. Dragan is sent away to become an apprentice tailor as the Nazis begin to unleash their power across Europe.
After witnessing Rada’s torture and execution by the Germans, Dragan joins the Royal Serbian Christian Army, until Tito’s forces along with the Red Army sweep through the country. The Royalist Army is forced into exile in the vain hope that the British army will help them liberate their country from the communists but are duped into surrendering and are placed in internment camps instead. Facing possible repatriation back to Yugoslavia and certain death, they are granted a stay of execution and are moved to Germany until eventually they are re-settled in England and Dragan finds love.