It is the daughter of his father's killer that Ivan falls in love with in a Carpathian town. In the wake of her untimely death, his sadness consumes him for months before he can return to the vibrant world around him and marry Palagna. She desires children, but he is haunted by memories of a long-ago romance. After publicly embarrassing Ivan, Palagna attempts magic in an attempt to reclaim Ivan's attention. The sorcerer takes advantage of this by casting a spell on Palagna, who is then forced to combat the sorcerer. Ivan's tragic loss is tempered by the bustling rhythms of village life, including work and holidays, pageantry and celebration at weddings and funerals, the changing seasons, and nature's beauty.