Ivan Kuzmich Kondratyev (1849-1904) was a Russian writer, poet, and playwright whose work is distinguished by its attention to folk legends, historical narratives, and lively colloquial speech. His works combine elements of legend, documentary reconstruction, and fiction.

This volume includes two historical novellas: "The Scourge of God" and "The Sign of God."

The novel "The Scourge of God" is set in the era of the ancient Slavs. The author explores the figure of Attila, the leader of the Huns, whose name became a symbol of might and destructive force. Kondratyev offers an unusual interpretation of history, presenting the Huns as a tribe of Wends related to the Slavs and depicting the clash of peoples and beliefs at the turn of the ages.

The novella "The Sign of God" transports the reader to the 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars. Against the backdrop of historical events, the story of human destinies unfolds, revealing strength of character, faith, and personal responsibility to the times.

Both stories are united by the author's interest in people at the turning point of eras, in the inner motives of their actions, and in the search for meaning in historical change.
Kondratyev's prose combines dynamic plot with attention to language and the atmosphere of the times, creating compelling images of the distant past.