Ancient Rus'... Many tribes roam the vast expanses of the Volga lands, engaged in robbery and the slave trade. During the next raid on a peaceful Slavic settlement, the beautiful Belava and her stepmother, almost the same age as Nedviga, are captured by the Pechenegs, and then resold to other hands, to third parties. Belava and Nedviga lose each other... Life in slavery is bitter and hard. The unfortunate beauty would have committed suicide long ago if it were not for the feeling that warmed her heart - her lover remained there, in her native land. Belava was waiting to meet with him, with a young merchant named Veselin; she strove to see him from distant lands, which she had not come to of her own free will. But does the Kiev merchant remember her, is he waiting for her - or has he married someone else long ago?..