 Massimo returns to Renaissance Venice after years of fighting the Turks to learn that Elena, his former sweetheart, is now married to the city s tyrannical Doge. He avoids resuming this romance, despite Elena s apparent interest, because he is now falling in love with the beautiful, blonde Katarina. He also avoids becoming involved in a plot to overthrow the Doge, but after a friend is tortured and killed by the Doge s men, Massimo feels compelled to join the spreading revolt.