The Deluge

Kmicic travels to the Billewicz estate with the aim of marrying Olenka by fulfilling his patron's will. Olenka is drawn to him, but the local nobles distrust his reckless command and unruly retinue. The tension foreshadows a clash between personal duty and political loyalty.

The nobles persuade Olenka to turn away from him, citing his unruly actions and past behavior. A tense confrontation erupts around the estate as loyalties shift and tempers flare. The romance is sidelined by political maneuvering.

Kmicic burns the estate of the Butrym family and abducts Olenka, triggering a swift reaction from their foes. The local nobles besiege Kmicic's manor, deepening the conflict and questioning loyalties. The incident marks a turning point in Kmicic's standing.

Kmicic loses a duel to Wolodyjowski, who spares his life and urges him to redeem himself by serving the homeland. This mercy reframes Kmicic as a potential hero rather than a reckless foe. He begins seeking a true role in the war.

Kmicic joins forces with Lithuanian Hetman Janusz Radziwiłł, hoping to advance his position. He soon uncovers Radziwiłł’s treasonous alliance with Sweden and plans to dismantle the Commonwealth, shaking his loyalties to the core. The revelation pushes him toward a difficult moral crossroads.

Disillusioned, Kmicic tries to capture Radziwiłł’s brother, Prince Bogusław, but the plan fails and he becomes hunted as a traitor by both sides. He navigates a perilous landscape of shifting allegiances and mounting pressure. The pursuit heightens the sense of impending reckoning.

Kmicic overhears plans to loot the Jasna Góra monastery and warns its prior. He aids in defending the revered sanctuary against a Swedish siege, risking his life for Poland’s sacred symbol. His actions begin to repair his tarnished reputation.

During the siege, Kmicic sabotages the Swedish artillery but is captured and tortured by a Polish collaborator seeking revenge. He endures the torment until rescued by loyal allies. The episode underscores both the cost of loyalty and the fragility of his standing.

Rescued by allies, Kmicic travels to Silesia to seek King Jan II Casimir and saves him from a Swedish ambush en route. The king is impressed by his bravery and rewards him with command of a Tatar cavalry unit. This marks a pivotal turn in his status as a national figure.

Olenka is held captive by Bogusław, who seeks to win her favor with manipulative schemes. She escapes after learning of his sinister plans, keeping hope alive for their reconciliation. Her captivity intensifies the race to halt Bogusław’s designs.

Czarniecki leads a decisive Polish counterattack against the Swedes, with Kmicic playing a crucial role in the victory. His earlier failures give way to decisive courage on the battlefield. The victory shifts momentum in the war and rehabilitates his reputation.

Kmicic faces Bogusław in a final duel and captures him, sealing his redemption in the eyes of Olenka and the nation. The duel serves as the emotional and moral closure to his arc. It cements his return from traitor to hero.

Kmicic returns to the Billewicz estate to resume life with Olenka, only to find that she believes him to be a traitor and plans to join a convent. The couple confronts the consequences of rumors and wartime deceit. The truth is not yet fully revealed.

During a church service, a royal decree absolves Kmicic of all accusations, proving his loyalty and bravery. Olenka hears the proclamation and decides to marry him, closing the story on a note of forgiveness and unity. The couple’s union marks the triumph of truth over treachery.