At the beginning of the story

At the beginning of the story, Nina steals gunpowder from the military and then burns down the courthouse, somehow saving a friend of the blacksmith's from execution. So this is why the blacksmith is particularly glad to help her escape later and perhaps even feels obligated to do so.

I realize I have not written much recently. I have gotten stuck as to what to do with the beginning of the story, etc. so that it is truly engaging and flows well with the rest of the novel. Okay, gotta run...