Chapter 3

Book based on the lore of ARK: Survival Evolved

The pack of Allosaurus were quickly approaching, their thunderous footsteps now shaking the earth. We must get inside. Tugging on Mal’s reigns, I focus her to our gates. All we have to do is beat them there, and we’ll be safe. Sweeping wide to our right, we pick up our pace. Checking over my shoulder, I see the allosaurs still in pursuit.   

  

“We’re going to have to try and go faster here Mal.” She turns an eye to me and nods. Looking forward once more, Maleficient drops her jet black head to be parallel with the rest of her muscular frame, pushing harder. Her claws digging into the earth, sending dirt and rock into the air, billowing into a cloud of dust behind us. With a screech Alduin follows suit.  

  

Turning back towards home, I hear a series of quick roars come from behind, turning to see if we had made any distance my veins ice over. The alpha was turning towards our gate, beckoning its ilk to do the same. No longer running, the pack makes its way to the entrance of my home and begin exchanging a series of short guttural chirps. They know where I’m trying to go. Tightening my grip on mal’s reigns, I ease her out of her sprint as we slow to a stop. Our gate 100 yards away now, but standing in our way, the Allosaurus daring us to try and cross. I can feel the panic growing in my companions. Alduin scratching at the ground, Maleficnet slowly backing away. I whistle softly to the pair.  

  

“we’ll be okay guys, just stay calm.” I run my hands through Mal’s lavender plumage; Alduin moves closer so I could do the same for him. “All we have to do is make it to the gate.” Trying to convince them as well as myself, I survey the situation. There is nothing to the left of the pack other than the icy expanse of the winter’s mouth. To the right a series of rocks, wrapping around the back of our base. “That has to be our only chance.” Leaning to Alduin I whisper “you’re going to have to follow right behind us okay bud?” He clucks his approval. Closing my eyes, I prepare to make our run for it.  

  

The path before us wasn’t an easy one. It would be a series of precise jumps, from one rock to the next, ending on the boulder at the back of our home. I fill my lungs with the cold winter night’s air and exhale. With a swift tap from my heel, Mal takes off, Alduin following closely behind. An echoing roar tears through the night followed soon after by the pounding of the allosaurs as they lay chase.

The first rock a few strides away, I turn to ensure Alduin is still close behind. He’s staring straight ahead, eyes narrowed in focus. Good, now it’s just up to me. I turn back winding the reigns through my fingers and tug hard. With a hiss, we fly through the air, landing in stride atop the first rock. Behind me I can hear Alduin’s claws scarping as he lands. The ground now shaking as the allosaurus close on us. No time to see how close they are I yank again on Maleficients reigns. Her powerful legs send us soaring once again onto the next rock. Alduin lands shortly after.  

  

“Just two more guys we’re almost there.” With a few seconds to spare as we race across the top of the rock, I check to see how close our pursuers are. I wish I hadn’t. they have gained much ground. Less than 50 yards from us now, I can make out the three sets of razor sharp teeth closing in. The orange plating of the alpha glowing in the moon’s light. Its red eyes filled with excitement of the hunt.  

  

The second to last jump goes off without a hitch. We’re now 10 feet from safety. Approaching the end of the last rock, one of the allosaurus is now just meters away. Pushing the thought of them from my mind I ready for the last jump. Malifecent’s legs tense and spring us forward. Flying I see the allosaurus crash into the rock behind us, letting out a dissatisfied grunt. We land safely on the last rock, the snapping jaws of the pack behind us, trying to claw their way up to us. The alpha looks to me and locks its eyes with mine. Lowering its head, it rears and bellows in frustration. The others join in the show before turning in search of easier food.  

  

A final leap and we slide to a stop in the center of our courtyard. Quickly parting with the raptors, congratulating them on their courage, I run to Freya.  

  

“Get ready girl, we’re going on a hunt.” Freya glides down to the ground, stretching her wings. Rummaging through my various storage containers, I collect all the taming essentials. A few dozen pots of narcotics, the same of tranq darts and my prized longneck, lifted from the bottom of a cave deep in the jungle. Not to the same quality of my shotgun but it has seen many a journey in its day.  

  

“Alright girl we don’t have much time; we don’t want to lose them.” Shouting as I run back outside, jumping into her saddle. We lift into the air and race out of the base. The rising sun casting our shadow on the frosted grass as we fly. Evening out just above the tree line, I scour the mountain, searching for any sign of the Allosaurus. Then I hear the triumphant roar. “It came from down in that valley.” I gesture, guiding Freya towards the noise.  

  

The sun coating the valley in its morning embrace, the trees casting their reaching shadows across the valley, we make our approach. I spot a parasaur sprinting through the trees, heading towards the river at the bottom of the hill. Close behind, I see the pack. Still three strong, they’re closing in quickly on the unfortunate herbivore out for its morning meal. In it's hurry to escape it’s pursuers it traps itself into a corner. The Allosaurs are quick to take advantage.

The alpha takes charge, bringing its rows of serrated teeth down on the parasur's neck like a hatchet. The ensuing plee for help is quickly silenced by yet another vicious attack. The other Allosaurus let out an excited roar and proceed to feed on their meal. Teeth tearing into the now lifeless para.  

  

“Alright Freya lets try and see if we can’t find a nice high place to set up.” With a nod she drifts down into the valley. Searching for a rock near the feeding allosaurus, I spot one within sight of them and direct Freya to it. Landing softly, she leans as I slide off, grabbing the rifle and loading a dart. I lay down, adjusting the gun into my shoulder. “Alright girl, if they come for us just trust and stay, this rock is too high for them okay?” She nods again, squatting down the best she can.   

  

Inhaling slowly, I prepare the round and line up my shot. The notch sight aligns on the plated head of the Alpha. Breathing out, relaxing my body my aim steadies. With a methodical squeeze of the trigger and the first dart flies. Before waiting for it to hit I quickly load a second just as the Allosaurus rears back. First one hit. A second later the next is on its way with a third following closely by. The allosaur roars a series of alerts to its pack and they all stand at attention. As I’m sending the fourth shot, the Allosaurus scan their surroundings.

“Just keep shooting..” reassuring myself of my plans strength, I load and fire the fifth round. Sliding the next into the chamber, pushing the bolt into place I prepare to take the shot. The chamber clicks closed and the alpha’s eyes snap to our rock.  

  

Muscles tensing, heart racing I fire. As quiet as darts are, it wasn’t quiet enough. The alpha charges. Crashing through the trees, the pack closes in. I lay stoic, sending the seventh dart I know I must be getting close to knocking it out.  

  

Eigth shot, the allosaurs are now ninety yards out.  

  

Just keep shooting.  

  

Ninth and the tenth. They’re now no more than 50 yards away.  

  

Loading the eleventh I take careful aim and fire. Freya shifts in her spot squawking. I can’t even spare the second to reassure her of her safety. The twelfth round finds its mark. They’re a stone’s throw away.  

  

Hands shaking, I slide the next round into its place. The Alpha’s eyes glow with hatred. I can count the teeth in its mighty jaws. Aiming, I take my last shot.    

   

With a defiant roar, the alpha stumbles and plummets to the ground, sending a cloud of debris into the morning air. Startled at the collapse of their leader, the subordinate pair utter a series of cries as they depart in search of less formidable prey. I poke my head over at the monster below.   

  

Orange plating runs straight down its back, the underlying skin a charcoal grey accented with splotches of white. Protrusions of similar orange plating spot it’s massive frame.  

   

“Holy s**t…” The fear rapidly being replaced with excitement. “Let’s go check it out Freya!” She hesitantly walks up, shifting to the side so I can mount her saddle. With much reluctance, she lifts off the rock and lands a few paces away. Suppressing laughter the best I can, I hop off and make my way to the alpha.  

  

I walk up to the beast deep asleep and am awe stricken. Not only is it massive, almost to the size of a rex, but its colors are nothing short of extraordinary. The orange of its back, a neon hue, the muted grey of its skin. I sit for a moment, marveling in the beauty of my soon to be friend. 

 

“Now, what are you,” eager to come up with a name I search for a quick confirmation. Similar to sexing a modern lizard. Walking down the length of the Allosaurus to its tail I spot the two flutes running parallel down its tail. “So you’re a boy, well I’ll think of a name befitting don’t worry.” Whistling for Freya to make her way to our new addition I grab some of the narcotics from her saddle and place them alongside the allo. “this is going to be a long tame girl, we’re going to have to make sure he’s safe.” 

 

I make my way around the surrounding forest, chopping down every tree I can, gathering a few piles of wood. It doesn’t take much to make a spike wall but I want to make sure I can make enough to encircle him. Satisfied at the stockpile I dig through Freya’s saddle once more, taking from it the fiber I’ll need. 

 

“Well, looks like we don’t have any hide with us, guess we better get to it then.” Freya, all too excited to leave the side of the Allosaurus swoops me into her saddle and we’re off. Not a process I’m particularly fond of, but it’s a necessary one. We make our rounds of the immediate area, culling phiomia and a few parasaur, returning to the sleeping giant once I'm satisfied with our spoils. Tossing a few hunks of meat in front of him I grab the hide and begin making the spike walls, placing them in a semicircle around him with the rock as Its back. 

 

Catching a scent of the meat the allo opens its jaws and clamps down, quickly tearing through a good portion of the pile before him. His red eyes open slowly, lips curling exposing his many teeth all too capable of tearing me limb from limb. I edge closer, looking into his hateful eyes. 

 

“It’s okay, I don’t want to hurt you.” doing my best to reassure. Hand outstretched I ease closer. I can feel the heat radiating from his open mouth. My hand trembling as my fingertips graze his scales. I settle back into confidence. Running my hand down the length of his snout, I walk slowly around him. Gliding my hand back up his nose, in between his eyes I see his eye lids flicker then settle half open. The black slits in his eyes slowly dilating indicating his comfort. 

 

Feeling accomplished in my proficiency at taming, I sit proudly next to the allosaurus, lighting a campfire for us through the night. Freya huddles next to me, enjoying the fires warm glow, a welcome relief from the night’s chill. Over the course of the night, and well into the next day I stayed with the Allosaurus, tending to him as need be.  

 

With the sun setting on the second day I fry up some meat for myself and hand a slab to Freya, who happily accepts and munches her meal. Looking back to the allosaurus I start to think of a name. Running through a few I had saved away none seem to match him. 

 

“What am I going to call you..” My mind wanders, scanning for inspiration, I’m again drawn to his striking colors. The glow of his plating shining over his dark skin. “You look like fire, like burning wood.” I look down to the embers of our now dying campfire and a smile breaks across my face. The old Nordic name for fire, Aldrnari. 

 

“Aldrnari, think that’s pretty befitting don’t you Freya?” She coos with a nod. Anxious like a child on the eve of Christmas, I can’t wait for Aldrnari to wake up. I sit filled with anticipation. The minutes drag on until finally I see him stir, his eyes opening as he shifts to his feet and stands with a deafening roar. After his stretch he steadied his head which rose a good 5 feet or so above mine and peered down at me. 

 

“Hello there.” I reach my hand out as he lowers his head to me, patting my hand with his giant nose. “Why thank you, welcome to the family Aldrnari.” With another nudge of my hand he rears up again with a light-hearted yelp, turns to Freya. “Go on Freya, say hello.” Noticeably afraid, she steps forward, bowing her head to him. Without hesitation Aldrnari leans down, licking Freya across her beak. Rightfully startled, Freya leaps into the sky, the ensuing game of cat and mouse is nothing short of hilarious.  

 

“Glad to see you two get a long!” I manage to say through the uncontrollable fit I’m now having. After the chase dies down, I break down our barricade and mount Freya, flying back towards home. Aldrnari playfully chasing and hopping along.   

  

The creaking of the gate signals our arrival home. I land Freya on her perch as Aldrnari stomps into the courtyard, glancing around at the others as he does. Dropping down, I stand next to our new arrival and introduce him to the weary others. 

 

“This is Aldrnari guys, he’ll be joining us.” The raptors clearly remembering the events of the other night, flare their feathers and greet him with a hiss. Taken aback at the dismissal, Aldrnari bows his head to the pair and shuffles over. They exchange confused looks, taking steps back from the predator who very recently was hoping to make them dinner. Just a few feet separate the trio and I can’t peel my eyes away. 

 

The allosaurus nods his head to the two again, then flops on his side, shaking the ground as he crashes down. Maleficent and Alduin stare quizzically at the oaf, then tip toe to him. Mal taking charge leaps onto Aldrnari’s chest and begins nipping at him. He responds with flailing his disproportionate arms at her and turning side to side. Soon Alduin joins in and I just can’t help but laugh as the three roll on the ground enjoying some early morning rough housing.  

  

“That went better than expected.” Freya looks on with disapproval, flaring her wings and adjusting them to her side getting ready for a well-deserved nap. “It’s okay girl, I’ll find you a friend so you can play too.” With a sharp squawk she scoffs at the idea and buries her head under her wing. “Yeah, I’m sure you’ll change your mind once you have a friend too.” 

 

With the sound of dinosaur mayhem getting fainter, I step inside my cottage and greet Lucy, who to no one’s surprise was still standing watch over the keep. Patting her head I toss her a few flowers and berries on my way to the smithing table. Time to make that saddle. All of the materials still stacked on top, aside from the metal I got the other day. I step back outside to fetch it. 

 

Playing now subsided, the raptors are back in their stable in the early stages of their snooze. Aldrnari now on the prowl around the courtyard, giving the base a good quality check. Looking satisfied he finds a spot next to the raptors and plops down. Childish joy runs through me as I take it all in. I have pet dinosaurs. It never gets old. 

 

Reaching the stables, I dig through the pair's saddles, grabbing all the metal I can and bring it to the forging room. A small room in comparison but filled to the brim with as many furnaces as I could manage. It makes quick work of the raw metal I get from my trips up the mountain. Distributing it evenly among them, lighting as I go, I figure it will take a few minutes to smelt all of the metal. Instead of waiting, I take to tending to the rest of the preparations for the saddle.  

  

The low glow of the forges is outdone by the teal glow of my implant. I read over the details of the saddle, growing in excitement at the thought of tearing through the mountainside atop an allosarus. The freedom of it has to be a stark difference to the timidity of traveling with the raptors. The fizzing out of the forges snaps me back to the task at hand. The metal now much more manageable in its refined form, I’m able to carry all the bars I’ll need back into the house. 

 

Cracking my fingers and looking over all the materials before me, I give the instructions one last glance and then I’m off. Mind racing, my hands wind everything together. Even though it’s the first time making the saddle it feels all too familiar. Hide forming into the seat, metal fastening every strap, creating every buckle and belt. With a few last folds and the final metal anchors in place, the saddle is done. I stare down at my work with a chuckle, I’m getting good at this. Each saddle more advanced than the last, but never more difficult to make. 

 

Hoisting it over my shoulder I pat Lucy on my way out. The afternoon sun, beginning its descent casts blinding rays through the gaps in the canopy. Each day I swear that sun is getting brighter. Shielding my eyes from its glare, I walk up to Aldrnari who peers at me through heavy eye lids.  

 

“You ready for your first ride?”