In the 1400's in central and southern Europe, the ferocious Tartar hordes known as Huns roam the countryside attacking villages and fighting among their own tribes. The Balas, a Tartar tribe led by Igor, destroy one village but spare the life of a young girl named Tanya and raise her as a warrior. Years later, the Balas clash with the Black Tartars, led by Malok, and Tanya and her adversary are attracted to each other. When the Black Tartars attack the Balas, they are beaten by the determined Tanya, now queen of the tribe, but she spares Malok. Assisted by Malok and his warriors, she leads her starving tribe against the wealthy city of Kwarizim; the town is conquered but both peoples are united in a desire for peace.