"Forest Riders" by Andrey Romashov, summary

This book, published in 1959, tells the story of an ancient Ugric tribe forced to seek new lands under attack from enemies. The narrative delves deeply into the harsh life of the original inhabitants of the Urals, where people survive in the wild forests by relying on pagan beliefs and fortitude.

The beginning of the disasters and the last will of the leader

At the edge of a swamp, the young blacksmith Shavershol searches for iron ore, which his people call "red water." Suddenly, a bear watches him from the mountainside. The beast pushes a stone straight at the young man. Enraged, Shavershol doesn’t run away, but charges up the slope at the predator. He dodges the thick paws and delivers a crushing blow with his heavy pick, loudly celebrating his victory. Meanwhile, the tribe of forest riders to which the young man belongs is experiencing dark times. Chieftain Kardash bitterly contemplates the fate of his people, for the proud Ugrians are weakening under the attacks of the hostile Bulgars. The tribe finds itself trapped between the encroaching forests and their cruel steppe neighbors. The cunning shaman Urbek weaves secret intrigues, dreaming of leading his people back to the steppes. Soon the singer Oskor brings alarming news: the one-armed leader of the Bulgars is again leading boats straight to the Ugric settlement.

The tribe prepares for a fierce defense, hiding women and livestock behind high ramparts. A bloody battle ensues, with the forest horsemen forcing the Bulgars to retreat. The enemy is broken, but victory comes at a high price for the Ugrians. Old Kardash is seriously wounded in battle. The blacksmith Shavershol finds the bleeding leader among the dead bodies and carries him to the city. Realizing his imminent departure for the land of his ancestors, the old ruler gathers the elders. He orders the most trusted men to be sent to the Great Shaman — master of the distant Blue Cave. The choice falls on the swift singer Oskor and the powerful blacksmith Shavershol. Immediately after these parting words, Kardash falls silent forever.

The difficult road to the East

Oskor and Shavershol gallop without delay through the dense thicket toward the Great Blue River. One cold night, while by the fire, they notice strange sounds. In the morning, the ambassadors catch up with their pursuer — it turns out to be the red-haired Kalmez, a slave of the shaman Urbek. Kalmez confesses that his master intends to seize control of the tribe and take the Ugrians into slavery. The ambassadors sternly warn the slave and continue on their way toward the sun. Soon they reach the gloomy Blue Cave, where they meet the Great Shaman. The elder feeds the ambassadors stringy elk meat and listens to their story.

In the cave, the ambassadors meet Sopr, the elderly chieftain of the local Mansi tribe. Sopr knows the forest trails well and agrees to be their guide. The journey proves grueling, and Oskor’s horse collapses from exhaustion. To return home more quickly, Shavershol makes a difficult decision. He gives Sopr his beloved white stallion, Aragez, in exchange for a spacious wooden boat. The ambassadors descend the turbulent waters of the Great River, rowing all night long. One morning, they stop on the bank to rest. The singer notices their boat has vanished without a trace, leaving the ambassadors alone in the vast taiga.

The Shaman’s Cunning and the Return of the Ambassadors

Meanwhile, in the fortified settlement, the Ugrians are cutting down the forest, reclaiming pastures from the encroaching thicket. The people await their heroes. The young shaman, Urbek, decides to exploit the ambassadors’ disappearance to his advantage. The slave Kalmez brings him the stolen items from the forest — Oskor’s cap and Shavershol’s belt. Urbek gathers the tribe around a fire and announces the death of the ambassadors. The shaman prepares a white horse for sacrifice and calls on the people to abandon their lands and surrender to the enemy. The proud warriors bow their heads, believing their loved ones are dead.

At the most dramatic moment, the sentries raise a loud cry. Oskor and Shavershol return alive, bringing saving words of wisdom. The tribe must flee east — to the free Land of the Green Mountains. The Ugrs accept the message and begin gathering their belongings. Before leaving, they set fire to their yurts to prevent the fort from falling into enemy hands. Urbek’s black yurt remains standing in the very center of the vast blazing ring. The treacherous shaman meets his death in the flames of the purifying fire.

The Price of Freedom and Wise Love

On the eve of the resettlement, it was discovered that the singer Oskor had secretly left the tribe. Kardash’s daughter loved the singer, and he deeply reciprocated her feelings. Oskor understood that the people lay ahead, a journey through dead forests and swamps. The tribe needed a decisive leader, not a musician. The singer ceded Ilonka to his faithful friend Shavershol, who led the forest horsemen. While the creaking carts of the Ugrians ride off toward the new sun, Oskor sits in the Mansi tent. He plucks the strings of his instrument and sings a radiant song about the people marching toward a free land under the leadership of a mighty blacksmith.