A story about the friendship between two men, during the reign of Dionysius II, at Syracuse, Sicily. Selinteus firmly believes that Melos (a strange friend) will keep his promise. But many forces are at work against. Melos, a Greek country man gets arrested and accused of conspiracy against the king. He gets three days to travel to his sister's wedding while Selinentius , a genius sculptor and Melos's friend, stays as a hostage.