Fairy tale

- It's good that Ser'Flevius returned so successfully, - said Nemt, - Although he rarely visits us, he always appears at the right moment.
- That's true, - agreed the prince, - If it weren't for him, then... - the young man clutched his head.
- I think this served as a lesson for you, and now you will think carefully before eating anything from my supplies.
- Of course! - A'Mok replied sharply, - And I won't touch mushrooms anymore.
- And who is this Ser'Flevius? - the princess joined the conversation.
- He used to live in the southern lands, your neighbors. One of those who survived the cataclysm that destroyed his homeland and turned it into a lifeless desert.
- Yes, we heard about this when we were children, but not much, - said Sh'Ako. - Can you tell us more about it?
- Only in general terms, - replied the wizard. - We will soon have to go to the reception.
- Okay, that will do.
- It is unknown what exactly caused this phenomenon, but it has a magical nature.
- That is, it was created artificially? By someone specific? - asked the prince.
- Exactly, - confirmed Nemt. - It started in the very center of the country and spread throughout its territory in a few days. This is what saved the inhabitants of the cities located near the borders of other states. They managed to leave their land and move to their neighbors. Ser'Flevius was among the group of people who ended up in Andoria. All refugees were provided with assistance, and since our hero was very young at that time, and also without family, he was assigned as an assistant to one of the city blacksmiths. Although Lecon was still a novice blacksmith and could not do much himself, so he could only teach his apprentice the art of melee combat, which he was very good at.
- And who was Lecon before that? - asked A'Mok.
- In short, he was a member of a powerful order that no longer exists.
- Wow, - said the young man with interest.
- Don't get distracted, - the princess said nervously.
- Yes, yes, - agreed Nemt. - After some time, Ser'Flevius got tired of working in the forge, and he joined the city guard, and then ended up in a reconnaissance unit. Then several not very pleasant events occurred, he even had a conflict with the king, but in the end everything was resolved safely, however, the headstrong young man did not want to return to royal service and went on a journey. In fact, he is still doing this, traveling the world, learning about various events, and if he finds something important or interesting, he returns here and shares information with us. He mostly travels along the southern lands, trying to find out something about what happened to his homeland and what is happening now in this dead desert.
- Why dead? - Sh'Ako asked.
- After the cataclysm, everything living died there, as far as I know, even plants. In addition, there are rumors that this land now belongs to the dead.
- Are you saying that there are undead living there? - A'Mok clarified.
- Yes, the deceased inhabitants of the country now exist as zombies, skeletons, and other evil creatures.
- Cool!
- But these are just rumors, no one risks setting foot on the cursed land.
- Even Anver and his friend? - asked the prince. - He can burn all the undead in one go.
- If he can breathe fire, - added the girl.
- I don't know that, nor do I know exactly who this strange man is, - replied Nemt.
- And if he is a man at all? - a female voice interjected again, but this time in a questioning manner.
The wizard was silent.