The land of Sofarende is at war and it has become lucrative for families to let their children take the army's test to become recruits. Twelve-year-old Mathilde knows that if her best friend Megs takes the test, she will pass. Mathilde doesn't want that to happen, but Megs thinks it is the only way to save her family. Mathilde fears they will be separated forever, but war has a way of showing children things that adults cannot seem to see.