Sorry it took forever. Internet was down. Here's the next chapter.
Natalia went off into the market place the next morning. It was a beautiful day with fair weather. She was just out to get some stuff for supper that night when she accidentally ran into Clinton.
"Oh, hello Natalia." Clinton says.
"Hello Clint." Natalia says.
"Clint? I like that." Clinton says.
"It suits you." Natalia says.
"I was going to practice archery. Would you like to join me?" Clint asks.
"I have no clue what to do." Natalia says.
"I'll teach you." Clint says.
Natalia smiles. "I would love to go."
They went out to the forest. Natalia had never been out there so she was easily frightened by small things. Clint decided he would teach her how to do archery. It was quite funny, watching her first arrow. So he wrapped his arms around her, her hand basically in his, and helps her. His touch sent shivers down Natalia's spine. It was good shivers, though. Some she had never felt before. They stopped after a while to have a picnic lunch.
"Do you know any stories?" Natalia asks.
"I know one. It's a great legend." Clint says.
"What is it about?" Natalia asks.
"A dragon." Clint answers.
"Oh, please do tell." Natalia says.
Clint chuckles at her eagerness. "Many years ago, there was a happy kingdom. The king and queen were loved by all. Except one. They called him Gold, because he was selfish and hoarded all his money. He attempted many times to break into the castle and steal the jewels. Every attempt was a fail.
"But one day, he heard the queen was with child. The angered Gold. He knew it would be harder to steal the money. So he decided to go visit a witch. The witch agreed to turn him into a dragon, as long as he killed the kingdom. Gold was turned into a dragon. Two days after the birth of the new princess, he flew in. Desperate, the queen gave the child to a guard who ran away with her. Gold didn't know about this. The guard escaped with the baby. Gold killed everyone in the kingdom.
"Legend has it that the princess is alive in our village. And the dragon is still in the castle where he killed everyone." Clint finishes.
"Thats funny. Ivan told me my parents gave me to him, then they died in the fire. Like in the story." Natalia says.
"You might just be the princess." Clint says jokingly.
"Clint. This could get me out of marrying Alexei!" Natalia says.
"What are you saying, Natalia?" Clint asks.
"You've taught me archery. I can make fire and know how to fight. I'm going to go find that kingdom." Natalia says.