Second book of Sienkiewicz's epic-historical triology on the struggles for the defense of Poland in the XVI-XVII centuries. Here the author writes about the invasion of Poland by the Swedish commanded by the king Gustavo Adolfo. Initially everything went well for the invaders: they even conquered Warsaw and Cracow. But they were detained in the fortress monastery of Jasna Gora, where there is an image of the Our Lady, venerated by the Polish. From that moment on, the people rose up, and the nobles (many of whom had previously betrayed their king and agreed with the invaders) began to harass and then openly wage war on the Swedish.
The book follows the adventures of a nobleman, who is a portrait of the time: violent, but in love with a beautiful lady; initially betrayed his king, but later changed his will and rendered great services to his country.