I'll tell you a story, and not just any story, but a true one. In a distant kingdom called Polaris, located just beyond the Arctic Circle, a real princess was born. And how she bravely defeated the most dangerous and frightening dragon in all the world. But let me tell you everything in order...
The Kingdom of Polaris is very unusual. It's almost always winter there. When the first cold arrives from the North, Polaris plunges into a long, long winter polar night. And the sun only peeks in for a few minutes. But when winter retreats and the snow melts, bright warming rays awaken the kingdom from sleep, and summer begins.
The kingdom is quite small, located near a cold harbour where large beautiful ships stand. But getting into it isn't easy, as only those with a special pass from the king can cross the kingdom's border.
It was in this unusual kingdom that a princess was born. She was born at the end of the sixth day in early summer. The girl was given the beautiful name Vasilassa. The summer sun gave Vasilassa bright red hair and deep brown eyes. Her cheeks were covered with freckles. From childhood, Vasilassa didn't like playing with dolls and sitting in the palace; she was always interested in spending time with ordinary boys.
Nature blessed the girl with incredible intelligence and beauty. But the most important quality of the princess was her ability to always achieve what she wanted. To move forward and never give up. When the young princess grew a bit older, she realised she didn't want to stay in the kingdom at all. After all, her fate was quite ordinary: find a prince among many suitors and give birth to an heir to the throne. But the girl was always drawn to a different life.
One day, Vasilassa decided to tell her mother the queen that she was planning to leave Polaris. But the queen's answer was stern:
Where are you going? To the ends of the earth? Who's waiting for you there! You're smart, beautiful, well-mannered, you should stay here and do as everyone before you has done. Our family is a family of rulers, not adventurers,– the queen couldn't imagine that her little princess would choose a different path than the one intended for her.
I don't want to spend my whole life in the palace and never see what a wonderful world surrounds us! — the girl's voice was full of determination.
And what will you become? A pauper? A beggar? Where will you go? — her mother began to get angry.
I will go to the Swamp Kingdom and test myself in combat, — said the princess, the first thing that came to her mind.
My young daughter, you don't even realise how dangerous the world around you is, how evil people can be, and how unreliable friends can be. And have you heard of the great black dragon that lives on the way to the Swamp Kingdom?
I've heard that he pursues all travellers who leave their homeland. But I'm ready to meet him, — the girl was fibbing, because she was very afraid of seeing the dragon.
I cannot allow this. I order you to be locked in the palace!
But I'll run away anyway, and nothing will stop me!
That very night, Vasilassa ran away. She felt no sadness leaving her home; the unknown drew her in, and she confidently walked towards adventure.
As soon as the princess crossed the border of the Kingdom of Polaris, she felt as though great black eyes were looking straight into her heart. A sticky fear was born within her:
