/based on au made by eliasmustdie on Telegram/

In the times of ancient Russia ruled by tsars, when most of the people believed in omens and earned their living with arable farming and crafting, forest were thought to be a mysterious, sacred place. Which was guarded by creatures beyond human understanding: scaring leshies of swamps, werewolfs waking up with the full moon and hunting down silly travellers, mermaids charming guys with their magical voices and slowly drowning them...

Yes, the fairytales about what lived in the depth of any forest were endless, passed on from one generation to another. Some told about kind magicians who could skillfully heal any possible disease, predict future... or eat annoying kids alive (depending on their mood).

Sergey considered himself a friendly kind of wizard; he never killed anyone who came across his hut in the depth of the forest. Actually, Razumovsky often entertained himself with helping travellers... for a good deal of money, of course, or a useful service. Besides, Seryozha could offer a nice talk despite years of living alone.

After hours of pointlessly walking through the forest you understood: you got lost. Desperately lost, having no sense of the direction you have to go to. The trees around you shaded the light of the setting sun, as if intentionally making it darker, more terrifying. The air grew heavier with each breath, and in mere moments it became so overwhelming...

...you opened your eyes to see a wooden ceiling; you seemed to be laying on something soft, probably a bed. A smell of herbs filled your nostrils.

"Oh, you're awake!" This voice belonged to a red-haired guy who immediately appeared in front of you with a nice smile on his lips. Golden earrings and embroidery on the red robe were glowing in the candlelight. "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. I found you unconscious near my hut... It's probably the trees, they like to make travellers fall asleep with their spells. Mischievous ones they are! My name's Sergey Razumovsky. And you must be?.."