The novel takes place in two times - the present (Moscow, our time) and the past, the times of the Spanish conquest of Indian America (a small Indian settlement, the Yucatan Peninsula, 16th century). In the present, a student of Moscow University Arina in a dream, and later in reality, sees pictures from her past life and relives the tragic death of her lover and the betrayal of her best friend. Having met both in this life,