Home of Authors Alice Brown & Lady V

***If you are reading the Dragonose series in book order, this mini-story takes place after Remathyst, DOD 4. 

“Hey, Ed, do you have a minute?” Mr. Blackmore called out across the open courtyard of the marketplace.  Ed Scavenger and his wife, Edna, ran a women’s clothing store directly across from Blackmore’s jewelry shop. 

Daniel Blackmore watched his friend kiss his wife and wait until she was safely inside their shop before heading his way.  “Good morning, Daniel.  How are you this morning?” Ed greeted his friend once he reached the front of the jewelry shop.  “How’s business?” 

“Oh, everything is fine.  I’ve been thinking about the wee ones,” the jeweler replied.  The king and his warriors had uncovered a horrendous crime committed by the Raptorians.  The enemy had been kidnapping Dragonose women and children for years, a few at a time, so no one would get suspicious.  Once King Thoran became aware of the situation, he wasted no time rescuing all their females.  Even though most of the families of the lost loved ones had come and claimed their familiars, the castle still housed several children and women who had no other place to call home. 

“Oy, I want to go rip the heads off of every Raptorian I can find every time I think about what those poor women and children suffered through,” Ed replied, shaking his head in disgust. 

“Blain was in town the other day and came to see me.  He was telling me about an Earth holiday called Easter.  The children of Earth believe a huge bunny hops into town, hides eggs all over for them to find, and delivers baskets of candy to each household.” 

“Okay, sounds like a fun tradition.  Where are you going with this?” Ed inquired. 

“Well, the rescued little ones need some fun in their life.  The king held the carnival for them a few months ago, which was a huge success.  What do you think of a few of us business owners throwing an Easter Egg hunt here in town?  We could also provide little gifts of candy or other small trinkets.  Blain told me humans often use little plastic eggs to hide instead of real eggs.  He and Natasha are making another quick trip to Earth at the end of the week.  I’m sure I could talk him into bringing us these small plastic eggs,” Daniel continued. 

Ed was silent as he absently ran a hand over his chin, a sign he was thinking things through.  “I think I like it,” he finally acknowledged.  “And if I know my Edna and Mrs. Peabody, you can count on them to get involved in the project.” 

“I’d be willing to donate numerous small stones and trinkets for prizes, and I’m sure we can talk Ms. Thelma in the castle to help us make candy,” Daniel informed his friend. 

“Edna will want to help with the candy, also.  She used to make sweets for our boys when they were young,” Ed acknowledged. 

“Okay, I’ll talk to Ms. Thelma and Blain, and you talk to Edna and Mrs. Peabody,” Daniel decided.  “Oh, we should see if Mrs. Baker at the toy store or Mr. Broden at the stable are interested in getting involved.” 

“Good idea.  The more people we can get involved, the easier it should be on everyone,” Ed replied.  “I bet I can talk Mr. Moore from the grocery shop to get involved as well.” 

“Great, sounds like we have a plan.  I was thinking about having the egg hunt right here in the middle of the town square unless you have a better suggestion,” Daniel informed his friend. 

Ed took a moment to look around at the open market layout.  Within an hour, several stalls would be available for business, with people coming to sell their wares from all over the land.  Some, like Mrs. Peabody, sold handmade scarves constantly.  Others only came during harvest season or when they needed to declutter.  It was a setup that had worked well for the citizens of Dragonose for many years.  “I think the open market square will be a great place to hold this Easter celebration.  There is just one problem.  What is a bunny, and how do you plan to bring one to Dragonose?” 

Daniel Blackmore grinned at his friend.  “That’s easy.  We are going to replace Earth’s Easter bunny with an Easter dragon.  I’m sure someone will step up and volunteer their dragon to help with this endeavor.  We will start our own Dragonose tradition with an Easter dragon.” 

“An Easter dragon?  What does this dragon need to do?” Ed questioned his friend suspiciously. 

“Nothing special, really. However, we might want to dress the beast up so the children don’t recognize the dragon.  They could help us hide the eggs and maybe help deliver the children’s gifts,” Daniel replied as he shrugged his shoulders.  “We’ll figure out the details as we go.  I’ve got to open shop; I just wanted your opinion before going further.” 

“After what those wee ones went through, anything to bring a smile to their faces has my approval,” Ed grumbled, waving to his friend and turning to cross the open courtyard.  His wife was going to be beside herself in helping with this endeavor.  As dynamic as Edna was, Ed could see her going over and beyond what was asked of her, which is probably why Daniel brought the idea to him in the first place.  Both men knew that once Edna Scavenger committed to a project, the woman wouldn’t rest until everything was perfect.  He whistled a small tune as he returned to his shop.  Today was turning out to be a good day. 

*** 

By the end of the week, plans were shaping up nicely for the first Dragonose Easter Egg hunt.  Blain and Natasha took a quick trip to Earth, returning with a treasure chest full of goodies for the children.  Blain found small, plastic eggs they could open and fill with small trinkets or candy.  Natasha brought candy molds, baskets, and pastel fabric.  Edna Scavenger and Ms. Peabody immediately scarfed up the fabric and declared each child would have a new outfit for the occasion.  Everyone in the community contributed time or materials, guaranteeing the experience would be a success. 

At the Bar & Grill, Francis was working on providing a feast for everyone in the community that day, and Ms. Thelma volunteered the castle staff to help in the effort.  The team and Mrs. Scavenger made most of the candy for the baskets and eggs.  Natasha brought back some candy from Earth, and Mrs. Baker from the toy store provided small toys to help fill the baskets. Mr. Broden at the stable offered free pony rides. 

All was going well and on schedule until the day before the event. Edna Scavenger delivered everyone’s new outfit, and Mrs. Baker had the small eggs at her shop, filling them in her free time. The baskets were filled and sitting in the back room of Daniel Blackmore’s jewelry store.  Sapphamire volunteered to be the ‘Dragonose version of a giant Easter Bunny.’ 

Daniel Blackmore glanced up when the chime over his door rang, alerting him to a possible customer.  Instead, a frantic Mrs. Baker walked into his doorway.  “Daniel, I can’t find the large golden egg!”  When Blain returned from his trip to Earth, he produced over one hundred small eggs and one large golden egg.  They decided the large egg would be the special one, holding a bigger prize.  It was supposed to be with Mrs. Baker.  “It’s not with the others?” he asked. 

She shook her head. “No, it was sitting on the table in the back room earlier.  I had a few customers this morning, but when I returned, it was gone!” 

“Okay, I’ll close up my shop and come over to help you look,” Mr. Blackmore offered.  “Maybe it just rolled off the table,” he suggested. 

“Maybe, although I looked all around for it before coming here,” Mrs. Baker replied.  “I just don’t know where it could have gone.  No one should have been in the room, so it should be exactly where I left it,” she continued. 

Daniel escorted the toy store owner out of his shop, stopping to lock the door and place a closed sign on the door before following his friend down the sidewalk to her shop.  Once inside, they both headed to the back room.  But they couldn't find the special egg anywhere after looking in every corner and under every surface. 

“Are you sure it was here?” Daniel verified, wanting to ensure the golden egg wasn’t left somewhere else.  

“Yes, I am sure.  I filled it with goodies this morning; I know exactly where it was before I left the room,” Mrs. Baker snapped.  “I just don’t know where else it could be,” she continued. 

“Okay, let’s not panic.  It has to be close by,” Daniel Blackmore advised.  He walked out of the toy store and glanced around the market area.  Where would a sizeable golden egg be hiding, he mused to himself. 

“Hey, Mr. Blackmore!” Jimmy, the young stable hand, called out in greeting. 

“Jimmy, how are you, son?  Do you have a moment?”  Most of the time, the young lad knew much of what was happening in the area.  Perhaps he knew where their missing egg was located?  “You haven’t seen a large golden egg, have you?” 

Daniel watched the boy’s eyes widen before replying, “Yes, I spotted Opalite playing with a large, shiny, golden egg about ten minutes ago!  He was headed out of town towards the castle, and I saw him batting at a large golden oval in front of him.” 

“That damn ornery beast!” Daniel whispered under his breath.  Opalite was King Thoran’s pet catagon, meaning he was a half cat and half dragon.  He held a belligerent attitude in spades, was the size of a large house cat, and had wings. 

“Okay, let me grab Mrs. Baker; then, can you show me exactly where you spotted Opalite?” Daniel requested.  With any luck, the beast hadn’t gotten too far ahead of them, and they would be able to retrieve their missing egg quickly.  

“I’ve got a lead on our missing item!” Daniel yelled once he opened the door to the toy store.  He and little Johnny waited until Mrs. Baker came out and locked the door, then they headed to the other side of the market where Johnny had spotted the catogon and their missing golden egg.  While they walked, Johnny filled Mrs. Baker in on what he knew. 

When they reached the spot, Johnny had spotted Opalite and the egg; the beast was nowhere to be seen.  “He’s probably made his way back to the castle by now,” Johnny observed.  “Do you want me to see if I can find him?” the little boy inquired. 

Daniel sighed.  No, he needed to go to the castle himself and quietly ask the staff about the whereabouts of a large golden egg.  Hopefully, he wouldn’t run into any of the children and feel the need to explain why he was there.  The marketplace citizens were trying to keep everything a big secret. 

Daniel Blackmore arrived at the castle and immediately found Ms. Thelma and Maria in the kitchen.  “Hi, ladies,” he greeted them.  “Have either of you seen a large golden egg?  It disappeared out of the backroom of Mrs. Baker’s store, and Johnny spotted Opalite playing with it on his way back here.  It’s for the big surprise tomorrow, so I need to find the egg, fast,” he explained. 

“No, Opalite showed up here just a moment ago looking for a treat, but he didn’t have anything with him,” Maria reported.  “But I know a few of his hiding spots.  Let me go check, and I’ll be right back,” the castle worker advised. 

Daniel sat down at the table when Ms. Thelma placed a cup of tea in front of him, along with a plate of Wheaderskon Bread.  “Help yourself,” she invited as she brought her cup of tea over and sat across from him.  “This Easter Egg hunt thing you and the others in town are doing for the wee ones is nice,” she stated after sipping her beverage.  “Maria and I are working with the twins and Sunshine daily, but they still have a long way to go before they fully recover from their ordeal,” she sighed.  “Those damn Raptorians.  Do you think there will ever come a day we can live in peace?”  The older woman absently reached over and helped herself to a snack. 

“Well, according to our king and warriors, they are a dying breed. If we continue killing the soldiers trying to attack Dragonose, eventually, there won’t be any more Raptorian soldiers to send.  Maybe Fate has seen there is no good in the lot of them and has decided to let them die out.  It’ll take some time, but they lose soldiers every time they start trouble with us.  Sooner or later,” he paused and shrugged his shoulders. 

Maria walked back into the kitchen, a little out of breath.  “I’ve checked all of Opalite’s usual hiding spots, but I didn’t find anything other than a few precious stones I’m sure he swiped from the king’s hoard.  The catagon is curled up, sleeping, and ignoring my inquiries.”  She stopped and shook her head.  “I’ll continue looking, but I’m not coming up with anything immediately.” 

“I wonder if he got bored playing with it on the way home and lost it along the way,” Ms. Thelma mused.  “He’s done something like that before.” 

Daniel stood up with a sigh.  He must search the countryside to locate a large missing golden egg. 

“Thank you, ladies,” he stated formally.  “I must take my leave now and start searching.  Please send word into town if you happen to come across our missing item,” he requested. 

Both women watched the jewelry shop owner leave and head to the countryside to hunt for the missing egg.  “I bet I know where the wee beast hid it,” Ms. Thelma mumbled.  “I bet he hid it somewhere on our creator’s website.” 

“Hmm, you might be right,” Maria replied.  “It is going to take some time going through the entire sight to search for one egg,” the woman sighed before adding, “We are going to need some help.” 

***Readers, can you help Mr. Blackmore, Maria, and Ms. Thelma locate the missing golden egg?  It is somewhere on the main website of Authors Alice Brown, and Lady V.  Here is a hint, it is NOT in the store portion of the website.  Good luck!  

Oh, we forgot to mention Dragonose is offering up a prize to whoever finds the golden egg first!  Be sure to email the authors once you find the missing item to be considered for the prize!  authoralicebrown@gmail.com.