Ionut is the youngest son of the commissioner Jder, a trusted man of Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great). He falls in love with Nasta, the daughter of a boyar, and competes for her affection with Alexandrel, the prince's own son. The longing for Nasta gives impetus to Ionut, who, together with his brothers, dedicates his life to the service of Moldova. A screen adaptation of the novel "Ionut's Apprenticeship" (Ucenicia lui Ionut), the first part of the novel "The Martens Brothers" (Fratii Jderi) by Mihail Sadoveanu.