Varden, a poor peasant decides to find a rich fiancée but in vain. Following Galaktion, his rich neighbor’s advice, he attempts a horse theft but fails and nearly escapes death. Thanks to Jujuna, his other neighbor, he finds job at the village’s blacksmith.
Dolgat and Ismail are friends; they work in 19th century Karachai-Balkaria in wood-industry. Ismail by accident kills brother of Dolgat. He believes that it happens by chance and does not think that his best mate is guilty. But mountain community demands for a vendetta.