The novel of the Slovenian writer Franz Saleshka Finzhgar dates back to that critical moment in the history of the Slavic tribes, when they, having crossed the Danube, poured into the Balkan Peninsula to establish the first Slavic states there - centuries later. But the theme of the story in the novel is intricately intertwined with the theme of the love of the pagan Istok and the Byzantine girl Irina. Istok and Irina are people of different cultures, different nationalities, who are brought together and united by love.