I will tell you a story, and not a simple one, but a true one. How in a distant kingdom of Polaris, which sits right 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 is almost always winter there. When the first cold arrives from the North, Polaris plunges into a long, long winter polar night. And the sun peeks in only 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 is not so easy, because 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. And her cheeks were covered with freckles. From childhood, Vasilassa did not like to play with dolls and sit in the palace; she was always interested in the company of 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 realized that she did not want to stay in the kingdom at all. After all, the usual fate awaited her: find a prince among many candidates 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 going to leave Polaris. But the queen's answer was stern:
Where are you going? To the land far, far away? Who is waiting for you there! You are smart, beautiful, well-mannered, you should stay here and do as everyone has done before. Our family is a family of rulers, not seekers of adventure,– the queen could not imagine that the 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 beggar? A pauper? 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 realize 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 travelers who leave their homeland. But I am ready to meet him, — the girl was being coy, because she was very afraid of seeing the dragon.
I cannot allow this. I will order you locked in the palace!
And I will 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 toward adventure.
As soon as the princess crossed the border of the Kingdom of Polaris, she felt as if great black eyes were looking straight into her heart. A sticky fear was born within her:
