Khan Berke, ruler of the Golden Horde, meets a girl in the grasslands he hopes will provide him with a long-awaited heir.

The Khan receives news that his longtime enemy and rival for the throne, Iran's lkhan Hulagu, is preparing to make war.

Shocked by her husband's betrayal, Ustina weeps uncontrollably before a crowd and almost provokes an uprising.

Mother Mengu-Temir reprimands her son after he risks angering the Great Khan; Ush-Khatun comes to the harem, where they brought Ustinia.

Gossip quickly spreads through the tower that Nargiz gave herself to Yeremey.

Ustinha realizes open resistance will only shorten her life; after giving the attendant an engagement ring, the princess asks her to arrange a meeting with Ush-Khatun.