During famine and disease from the British occupation of southern Iran in WWII, the governor holds a lavish wedding for his daughter. Zari and Yusef attend, but Zari fears Yusef will anger the governor by condemning the waste, believing the money should aid the hungry and poor.

Zari has a disturbing dream and goes to Aunt Khanom to interpret it. Meanwhile, Yusef’s brother arrives, trying to persuade him to sell the village’s food supplies to the British forces—a proposal that clashes with Yusef’s freedom-loving nature and rekindles the brothers’ old conflicts.

At Abolghasem Khan and Zari’s insistence, Yusef accepts the British invitation, but at the party, the issue of selling food supplies comes up again. Even so, Yusef firmly refuses to cooperate with the foreign forces.

Yusef goes horseback riding outside the city with his son. When they are late returning, Zari grows anxious about their safety, and dark thoughts creep into her mind. At that moment, two strangers enter the mansion, asking for Yusef.