The great Ossetian poet, Kosta Khetagurov, returns from exile to his native village of Nar. Yet the joy of coming back to his homeland is short-lived: Nar is even poorer than it was before. The Aldars, princes who rule the villages with an iron fist, continue to act with impunity.

In early 20th century, a young Ossetian man kills a captain while defending a poor shepherd. After going into hiding, he meets a beautiful woman, and they fall in love at first sight. Learning that her hand is promised to another, the young man decides to abduct her.