The Cossack Whip plot
Feodor Turov, head of the Russian Tsar's secret police, orders his Cossacks to attack a village he believes is being infested with rebels. The Cossacks attack the village and kill almost everyone, and young Katerina is beaten to death. Before fleeing to England, her sister Darya vows to avenge her sister's death. Years later, she returns to Russia—now one of the world's most famous prima ballerinas. Turov falls in love with her and manages to arrange a meeting. She timidly asks him to take her to a prison first. It turns out that what he has planned for her is nothing compared to what she has planned for him.