Unnamed

---

Lore:

The sky was dark and the wind was softly blowing through the snowy trees. Stars glistened and comets left trails of rock and dust as they shot across the night sky. Owls called within the forest as they awoke from their slumber.

Takoda, the normally reserved and soft-spoken Pearlcatcher, had returned from a day of hunting in the nearby forest. He carried bags of meat that were strapped to his back, later to be consumed by the clan.

The quiet Pearlcatcher walked over to the nearby lake where the clan leader, Frost, was gazing into the partially frozen water.

"Frost. I have something you might want to see," Takoda said and sat beside the Tundra.

Frost turned his head to see Takoda reach around and bring out a purple chest from within one of his hunting bags. He placed the chest in front of Frost and waited for his response.

"It is a Strange Chest - we have found many of these while gathering. What, might I ask, is concerning you?" Frost asked.

Takoda reached for the chest and held it in his arms. He then opened the top and revealed what was inside.

"There is an egg within, Sir."

"Yes, there is..." Frost paused. "Why is that strange?"

Takoda placed the chest on the ground again and picked up the egg within. He gently passed it into Frost's fluffy paws and closed the chest.

"Sir, all the Nocturne eggs have hatched. This one has not."

"I can see that, Takoda."

Frost handed the egg back to the Pearlcatcher and gave him a puzzled look. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Why is this concerning you, friend?"

"I already told you why, Frost," Takoda replied.

"I understand that you know little of hatchlings, Takoda, but some eggs take longer than others to hatch."

Takoda growled slightly and rolled his eyes. He loved Frost as much as anyone did and would die for his friend... though his memory could frustrate everyone from time to time.

"Frost, it is the last day of Night of the Nocturne. In fact, the festival is over! This egg is very late in hatching... too late!"

"My, is it over already? How time flies!"

"Sir!"

"Ah yes, my apologies. You are correct, this egg is quite late in hatching. And you are sure it is healthy?"

Takoda glanced down at the egg and nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Frost paused and stroked the fur on his cheeks while he thought. Any Nocturne egg that originated from within a Strange Chest was always at risk of dying if not hatched during the festival.

Takoda coughed slightly to bring Frost out of his thoughts.

"What shall I do with it, Sir? If I didn't find this chest when I did, it would have disintegrated. This hatchling is lucky to be alive!"

"Quite," Frost replied and grinned. "How about you look after it?"

"Me?!" Takoda shouted, almost dropping the egg. "Sir, I have no knowledge of how to care for hatchlings. There is a nursery here with professionals, why not take it there?"

Frost raised his paw. "Calm, Takoda, calm! I am sure you are the right dragon for the job! Besides, there are many children within the nursery - I'm sure our dear Stella doesn't need any more work to do," Frost chuckled and stood up.

"Take the egg home, keep it warm and think about it. You care for your creatures perfectly - I'm sure a hatchling would be no bother!"

Frost patted Takoda on the shoulder, smiled and walked back to the clan.

Takoda looked down at the egg and grimaced slightly. 'How in the name of the Icewarden do I look after a child?' He thought.

He let out a puff of air and placed the egg into the bag by his waist. Slowly, he headed back to the clan and left the Strange Chest by the lake. It will be gone in a matter of days anyway...