At the twilight of the 19th century, Ermoupolis is one of the wealthiest cities in Greece. It owes this to the refugees from the burned islands of the Revolution, mainly Chians but also Kasians and Psarians, who found refuge in Syros. The Syrians themselves, mostly poor people, Catholics by religion, are gathered in their castle town, in Ano Syros, and in the surrounding villages.

Of Chian origin is the shipowner Giannis Perselis and his captain, Stratis Soropos; from Ano Syros is Karmelina Roussou who comes down to the port to stay with her uncles. There she will meet Stratis' brother, Nikola, who loves books and poetry, does not easily settle in jobs, and likes women and festivities. On the other side is Stratis, disciplined, prematurely burdened with responsibilities, and engaged to Melpo, who will meet Ioulia Perseli on the day she escapes from Ermoupolis and the arranged marriage, seeking refuge on her father's ship.

On the eve of a disastrous war, Stratis, Ioulia, Nikola, and Karmelina struggle to chart their course with what their hearts dictate. A difficult task in a society that neither allows nor easily forgives any kind of deviations…