A két ördög vára és egyéb elbeszélések

In this vivid tale of early‑19th‑century Hungary, a restless captain named Privoda Dragutin—known as the “rácz” chief—receives a secret imperial commission that thrusts him into a chaotic frontier. Charged with leading a rag‑tag band of marauders through the rugged valleys of Transylvania, he is tasked with striking fear into the hearts of both nobles and peasants alike. The story opens amid a swirl of political intrigue, with rival generals, desperate pleas from the court, and the looming shadow of foreign powers shaping his brutal mission.

As Privoda’s forces sweep across villages, burning homes and seizing livestock, the narrative captures the stark contrast between the harsh realities of war and the captain’s own twisted sense of justice. He alternates between ruthless destruction and moments of unexpected camaraderie, addressing the locals as if they were his equals. The early chapters set the stage for a clash of loyalties, exploring how power, fear, and survival intertwine in a land torn between tradition and upheaval.