Latvia physically sits on the Baltic Sea, a northern extension of the Northern Atlantic Ocean which is surrounded by the Scandanavian Penninsula. Latvia has an eastern border with Russia, a country which has several times in the past laid claim to the territory of Latvia for its own. It is sandwiched between two other small Baltic countries, Estonia to the North and Lithuania to the South. The capital city of Latvia is Riga, which sits near the Baltic Sea on the Daugava River.

The land of Latvia was settled by descendents of Ghengis Khan late in the first millennium, and soon became known as the Livs or the Livi. Many folk stories of the Livi have been handed down through the ages, and many of the holiday celebrations, such as Jani (celebration of the summer solstice) have evolved from the ancient paganistic rituals of the Livi. Latvia’s agrarian roots evolved from these early settlers. In the Thirteenth century, Teutonic Knights from Germany overran the Livi and established the castles and cities of Latvia, most prominently Riga and Cesis. Since that time, the Russians have coveted the land because of its ice-free ports. In the Sixteenth century, the first Russian rule was established. By the Seventeenth Century, Poland was in control until The Swedes invaded and took over. Russia retook the Latvian lands in the Eighteenth century, and grew firmly entrenched until the local people began struggling for independence in the early Twentieth Century.

This story begins in the early 1900’s, when Latvia was under the rule of Czarist Russia and their ruler Nicholas Romanov. During this time, all Latvians were subject to Russian rule, which included service in the Czarist military. Nicholas faltered early in World War I, which signaled to many Latvians that it was the time for their eventual break from Russia. In 1917, with the war going poorly for the Russians, Nicholas was deposed by a Communist System. Many Latvians returned home to begin their fight for independence. A militia was formed, and much like the American Revolution, against the odds of now Soviet Russia and Germany, the Latvians won their independence in 1920.

The further history of Latvia is not addressed in this story, however, it remained tumultuous until 1990 when the former Soviet Republic of Latvia, regained its independence as a free and self-governing country.

Voldemars’ father, Janis, continues to lament his son’s decision to join the Czarist army instead of succeeding him as Telmenu Saimnieks, the head of the family farm, but then summarily becomes involved in the Latvian independence movement.

Voldemars is promoted to command a cavalry brigade in Southern Europe at the outbreak of World War I, then endures a mustard gas ambush during a scouting mission in the Carpathian Mountains. When he is sent back to Odessa for recovery, he laments the loss of his mistress, who apparently was killed in a brutal Turkish raid while he was at the front. Meanwhile, Otilija’s brothers are killed as fighting breaks out at Tannenberg in Northern Europe.

The inception of the Russian Revolution plummets Russia and the Czarist Army into turmoil. Voldemars' brothers, Augusts and Romans, are forced to escape the chaos which engulfed Moscow, while Voldemars and his pregnant wife are forced to find refuge in the Caucuses. Brevite, their first live baby is born there and with the help of local Cossacks, Voldemars, Otilija, and the baby remain safe from the Bolshevik purge. When news of Latvia’s break for freedom reaches Voldemars, he realizes his calling. With his wife and new-born child in tow, he begins the long, treacherous journey home.

At Telmeni, Janis receives a letter from Voldemars’ friend that his son had been gassed. Fearing him dead, he decides that in his son’s memory, he should become involved in the freedom movement. In the midst of the political fracas, Voldemars returns, but the reunion is short lived because of the beginning of the fight for independence. Voldemars senses his duty is to the military, as well as discovers a chance to regain his father’s respect, thus enlists in the Strelnieks, the Latvian Rifle Corps.

When the smoke finally clears, Latvia wins independence, but without Voldemars playing any pivotal role in the fighting. He comes to terms with his ego and realizes that he should be satisfied with being a son, husband, and father. When he returns home, he finds that his father has taken gravely ill, and through a discussion with his father, agrees to become the heir to Telmeni.