Flanders in the 14th Century. Dirk van Haveskerke, a young knight and son of Barend Van Haveskerke, one of the lords of Bruges, witnesses the horror and arbitrariness of the French occupiers. The people are oppressed, and the cities are plundered. Like many others, Barend and Dirk have to go into hiding. Dirk goes into hiding with boss Romme, a loyal Klauwart, and as a messenger experiences many dangerous adventures together with Zeger, son of Pieter de Coninck. It is Dirk's task to free his parents from the hands of the Lilyaarts.