Aaron and Zev have been protected from serving in the Czar's army for very different reasons--Aaron's father has always paid to keep his scholarly son free. Zev takes the job of khapper, kidnapping other poor, young Jewish boys to fulfill the czar's army quotas. Zev's jealousy of Aaron turns to hate when he discovers that the girl he loves is to marry Aaron. When Zev decides to rid himself of Aaron forever, he kidnaps him and turns him over to serve in the army. He knows Aaron's fate is sealed--few survive the forced labor. A trick of fate, however, pits the boys against each other face-to-face. Sworn enemies, they must endure the cruel captivity together. Will they join forces to survive or will they destroy each other?