Vankina Kaukaasiassa Y. m. kertomuksia

A weary soldier named Shilin receives a desperate letter from his dying mother, urging him to return home, say goodbye, and even promising a beautiful bride. Torn between filial duty and his obligations to the army, he secures a brief leave and joins a slow‑moving convoy through the harsh, sun‑scorched plains of a remote war‑torn land. The journey is a study in endurance, as the column trudges through endless steppes, constantly threatened by hostile forces lurking in the surrounding mountains.

When Shilin decides to break away from the main group, he teams up with the gaunt officer Kostylin, hoping their combined resolve will carry them safely across the desolate terrain. Their uneasy partnership is tested the moment they encounter a sudden raid by fast‑moving Tatar riders, forcing them into a frantic race for survival on horseback. The story captures the stark contrast between the longing for home and the brutal reality of war, immersing listeners in a tense, atmospheric portrait of loyalty, fear, and the unforgiving landscape that shapes every decision.