# Chapter XXVI explained — With Fire and Sword

> Chapter companion for With Fire and Sword by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

## What happens

Hmelnitski presents a letter from the voevoda of Bratslav (Kisel) to the Cossack council, proposing negotiations to end the war. The letter is met with mixed reactions, including strong opposition from Chernota. Hmelnitski, calculating that negotiation may yield concessions from the Commonwealth, decides to pursue this path while also preparing for war. He assigns Krívonos to lead a force against Prince Yeremi, and the chapter ends with Krívonos marching out of camp amid a storm.

## Themes in this chapter

### Leadership and Power

Hmelnitski manipulates the council, observes dissenters, and calculates political strategy to strengthen his position through negotiation.

### War and Rebellion

The chapter depicts the tension between negotiation and continued warfare, with Krívonos leading a massive force against Prince Yeremi.

### Honor and Betrayal

Kisel's letter appeals to loyalty and common blood, but is met with accusations of betrayal from Chernota and others.

## Character check-ins

### Bogdan Hmelnitski

Presents Kisel's letter to the council, observes dissenters, and decides to negotiate while preparing for war; struggles with doubt and drinks heavily.

### Vygovski

Reads Kisel's letter to the Brotherhood and later shakes Hmelnitski from his drunken stupor.

### Chernota

Leads opposition to the letter, shouting threats and calling the voevoda a 'dog-believer'.

### Old Loboda

Interrupts the reading to affirm the truth of Kisel's words.

### Krivonos

Volunteers to lead an attack against Prince Yeremi, demanding good warriors; marches out of camp with sixty thousand men.

### Pan Kisel

Writes the letter urging peace and loyalty to the Commonwealth, read aloud in the council.

### Father Patroni Lasko

Mentioned as the noble who delivered Kisel's letter to Hmelnitski.

## Key lines

> blood may be restrained, which the God of mercy and our orthodox faith command; but not to let the sabres from our hands until our ancient rights and privileges are restored in accordance with the will of his most serene Majesty the King.

Hmelnitski tells the council that while mercy and faith call for restraint, they must not lay down arms until their rights are restored by the king.

_Hmelnitski frames the rebellion as a justified fight for rights, not mere violence._

> I promise you, since I am a son of the Church of God, and as my house comes from the ancient blood of the Russian people, that I shall myself aid in everything just.

Kisel pledges to support the Cossacks' just cause because he shares their faith and heritage.

_Kisel uses shared identity to build trust and urge peace._

> War is my mother and my sister. Vishnyevetski slaughters, I will slaughter; he hangs, and I will hang.

Krivonos declares that war is his life, and he will match Prince Yeremi's brutality with his own.

_Krivonos embodies the relentless and vengeful spirit of the rebellion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters