In the mid 1300’s, the Black Plague raged across Europe and Asia, killing millions. By 1348, it had spread from central Asia to Genoa, Venice, and Italy, continuing its march northwest across Europe. Lorenzo (Hayden Christiansen) decides to leave Florence to escape the brutal massacre. He persuades his friends to join him, including Pampinea (Mischa Barton), with whom he begins a love affair. They spend the rest of their days in the countryside, telling stories to each other, and sharing memories of happier times. All they can do is hope that their calming words can provide them with some respite from the horror that they left behind in Florence.