Congratulations! You’ve uncovered Easter Egg 2 of 2! 🎉

If you love immersive worlds and captivating tales, explore all my writing at Brecon Publishing, Dragonberry Comics, and Snowdo Press. Short stories hold a special place in my heart—they’re my favorite way to bring stories to life!

As a special treat for finding this hidden gem, I’ve included an exclusive short story, written just for you. It’s only available here, in this Easter Egg. I hope it inspires, delights, and leaves you wanting more!

Enjoy the journey ahead! 📖✨

The Dragon's Forge

By Davey Morgan

In the depths of the Rhondda Mines, nestled among glinting veins of ore, lived a young, spry dragon named Arwel. Despite the soot that darkened his scales and the ache in his wings after a long day, he took pride in his work. He cherished the camaraderie of his fellow miners, both human and dragon alike. Yet, an unshakable yearning pulsed within him—a longing to create, to shape the world with his own claws.

While the mines were bustling, Arwel found small ways to indulge his inventive spirit. He crafted a headlamp unlike any other, designed to shine through even the densest fog of coal dust. He also fashioned a helmet that could withstand the harshest cave-ins, ensuring the safety of his friends. But these creations, practical and ingenious though they were, only scratched the surface of what he dreamed of making.

When the mines closed, Arwel was called due west, to the salty air and rolling waves of the Welsh coast. There, he took work as a fisher dragon, helping to haul nets brimming with silver-scaled bounty. Though the ocean’s vastness stirred a certain contentment in him, the fit was not quite right. In the quiet hours on deck, Arwel crafted songs, weaving melodies that spoke of life and longing, songs that reminded the sailors of home.

One day, as the fishing season drew to a close, a shipmate invited Arwel to perform one of his songs at a peculiar tavern called The Scratching Post. Hidden within a valley cave, the tavern was a sanctuary for stray cats, its namesake inspired by an ancient Scots pine that stood like a sentinel outside. Its proprietor, a grizzled dragon with a knack for cider brewing, welcomed Arwel with open wings.

That night, as his voice filled the cavern, Arwel met a young dragon named Eleri, the tavern's cook. Eleri’s Welsh cakes were the sustenance of legend, her blackcurrant squash a nectar fit for kings. As they spoke, Arwel found himself enchanted, not by her culinary skills alone but by her warmth and laughter. Days turned into weeks, and their bond deepened. It wasn’t long before they married in the quaint Rhydyfelin Chapel, the reception spilling into the cozy glow of The Scratching Post.

Years passed, and their family grew—a trio of little dragons who filled their lives with joy and chaos. Arwel, ever the devoted father, found work closer to home to support his family. He became a textile worker, crafting dapper bow ties for distinguished gentlemen. The pay was modest, but the work humbled him, teaching him the art of patience and precision.

As his children grew, Arwel shared the wealth of his experiences with them. From the mines, he taught them grit and determination. From the sea, he instilled compassion and camaraderie. From the textile mill, he passed on creativity and a sense of pride and humility in even the smallest of achievements. Each child carried these lessons into their own lives.

One son became a railway worker, rising from laying tracks to designing the very engines that traversed them with his mathematical skills. Another son opened a rarebit soup kitchen, feeding those in need with a heart as boundless as the sea. Their daughter, a gifted painter, captured the golden hues of Welsh sunsets, her art inspiring hope and joy wherever it was displayed.

As the years rolled on, Arwel and Eleri found themselves surrounded by the legacy of their love. Though Arwel had never fulfilled his dream of becoming an entrepreneur, he realized that his true calling had always been to nurture the lives of those around him. His children’s achievements, their kindness and creativity, were his and his wife's greatest triumphs.

In his twilight years, Arwel finally turned to his own small dream. With Eleri as his most loyal taster, he began crafting chocolate bars infused with the flavors of Wales—blackcurrant, Anglesey sea salt, and bilberries. Sold at local markets, his chocolates brought smiles to those who tasted them. He was not famous, nor did he seek fame, but in the quiet satisfaction of creation, he found joy.

Eleri, ever his steadfast partner, watched him with pride. They had built a life filled with love, resilience, and purpose—a life that, like Rhydyfelin’s Chocolates, left the world just a little sweeter.

© 2024 Davey Morgan | Brecon Publishing | Greenville, SC