Near the end of eighteenth century Russia as signs of increasing unrest and danger loom nearer every day for its royalty, a young nobleman leaves his betrothed behind and begins an unwelcome and perilous adventure. As Alexandr Barinsky and his guide journey to the wilds of a Turkmenian encampment to meet a leader instructed by his father to train him in the ways of the desert, all he wants to do is get back home in time for his bride-to-be's birthday ball. After Alexandr and the Turkmen leader, Hakan, meet, the nobleman begins his training in a land where he must learn to cope with merciless mosquitos, poisonous snakes, crucifying heat, and his most dangerous enemy of all: man. Meanwhile his betrothed, Galena Lavaslav, is befriended by the beautiful widow, Countess Adrianna Batrakova. But just as Alexandr completes his long journey, no one realizes that a rider on a black horse is about to change everything for Countess Adrianna, the Barinskys, and the Lavaslavs. In this historical tale, a young nobleman is led from the palatial castles of Kiev to Turkmenistan and back again as his betrothed, a powerful countess, and thousands of peasants attempt to find their place in life.