In the 13th century (1241), a Polish boy was killed by the arrow of an invading Tartar from the East, silencing his trumpet a few notes short of completion of the "Heynal," the Hymn to Our Lady, as he stood on a little balcony of the Church of Our Lady Mary in Krakow, Poland. Ever since that event subsequent trumpeters have stopped at the same point in the Heynal as it is sounded four times on the hour, all day and night as a signal that all is well.
This legend is based in history. The story of Joesph Charnetski-Kowalski, set in 1461, is fictional. Joseph's father, Pan Andrew Charnetski is the guardian of the Great Tarnov Crystal, which has been in his family's safekeeping for over 200 years. When Tarnov fell to the Tartars, the gem was entrusted to a Charnetski to hide until such time as its whereabouts became known, at which time it was to be given to the the King of Poland (Kazimir Jagiello in the story). Pan Andrew, his wife, and son Joseph are driven from their farm in the Ukraine by Tartars who burned their home and destroyed their fields. Fleeing to the city for safety, they assume a new surname in Krakow and Andrew becomes the new church trumpeter.
The family lives in a house with alchemist Nicholas Kreutz and his niece Elzbietka. The crystal, a stone of tremendous importance and power, is the object of pursuit by Bogdan the Terrible (Peter of the Button Face). When he discovers the Charnetskis' location and tries to steal the Crystal from them, one-third of Krakow burns to the ground. Danger and intrigue follow the Charnetski family; readers of all ages will enjoy this story.
Poland