Tündérkert

Gábor Báthory, the new prince of Transylvania, takes his throne in Cluj. Even though his beloved sister, Anna Báthory, and his aunt, Erzsébet Báthory, whom everyone fears and admires, are there with him, the young prince is met with suspicion and mistrust. Báthory's former teacher, Gábor Bethlen, is also trying to calm the mood - unsuccessfully. Báthory should stand tall not only as a prince, but also as a husband, but the young ruler follows his desires rather than fulfills his duty. A mockery of Báthory begins to circulate, and he, allied with the hajduks known for their bloodthirsty robberies, swears revenge against those who question his power.

The cornered Gábor Báthory apparently agrees with the noble leaders who are hostile to him after he offers them a deal. He paints the Saxons as a common enemy, against whom he wants to launch a large-scale campaign, from which the Hajduks and the noble lords of Transylvania hope for serious financial benefits. In the meantime, Gábor Bethlen is trying to fix in Cluj what Báthory destroyed - be it politics or the princess's broken heart.

On behalf of the prince, András Géczy goes to Szeben, where he offers business to the Saxon lords, with which Szeben could rise to unprecedented wealth. Erzsébet Báthory is accused of witchcraft and lust murder.

Palatine Thurzó, who imprisoned Erzsébet Báthory, offers the countess a deal: if she persuades her nephew that the prince of Transylvania reconciles with Hungary, then Thurzó will spare the lives of Erzsébet's servants.

The conceptual trial against Erzsébet Báthory is progressing unstoppably: the countess is being accused of more and more impossible things. Meanwhile, Bethlen is surrounded by someone whom she never thought of, encouraging her to betray her. Báthory is tormented by remorse for her cruel actions, but she knows that the monster she has awakened can no longer be stopped.

Gábor Báthory realizes that if he really wants to be a ruler with a European reputation, he must see the Turks not as enemies, but as allies. Bethlen's castle is guarded by his unsuspecting wife and Anna Báthory, entrusted to her care, while Thurzó's armies besiege the castle.

In her final desperation, Báthory visits Bethlen to find out if she has remained loyal to him, but the prince sees enemies even where they used to be friends. Meanwhile, the Transylvanian-Saxon army led by Géczy goes against the Hajdús army led by Báthory, and the stake of the battle is the princely throne.

The battle of Brasso demanded a great sacrifice, Báthory loses many of his important men and allies. Bethlen is looking for a peaceful solution between the dissatisfied great powers and Báthory, but the compromise is not easy...