ARK: The Island

Chapter 7: The First Tame

Exactly an hour later I'm marching to the stables. The showers were cold, but filtered. I definitely feel better after my first shower in days. I must have not smelled pleasant. Now, I'm wearing a t-shirt with hide boots, leggings, and arm wraps. These clothes are a lot nicer than my makeshift ones; I'll I've to remember to thank Indra later. But for the moment, I need to get myself to the stables to see what Indra wants me to do. Perhaps some chores? I have not really earned my keep, after all. I walked in the big open door to see Indra waiting for me. She smiles. "I assume you had a good night's rest?" I nod. "Thank you for the clothes and breakfast." I say quickly. "If you want me to, I'll-" Indra holds up a hand. "There is no need. Today, you will be taming your first creature. You'll need this." She suddenly shoved a bow in my hands. "And this. And-" Followed by the narcotics arrows from before, a bag of fresh meat, and a jar of narcotic. Indra watches as I foolishly try to carry everything. "I'm sorry, just a quick recap. I'm doing what?" She smiles. "Taming the creature of your choice." I blink. Ok, I came here expecting to be told to take out the trash or something. Instead I'm taming something? Wait what?

"Um, what exactly do I do?" I ask as Indra walks away. "Knock out the creature, and feed it the prime meat." She doesn't even turn to look at me. I stare after her, and then down at the supplies in my arms. "Well, this is gonna be interesting," I mutter as I head towards the gate.

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I take a deep breath, drinking in the smells and sounds of the forest. The gate slowly closed, and a feeling of vulnerability passed over me. I would have to be extremely careful, especially when going about the taming process.

Because I was going to tame a raptor.

Why? Well, first off, they seemed like pretty solid mounts. Quick and fierce. Ruthless and aggressive. Which is exactly what I need.

I began my trek through the woods, bow at the ready, meat on my back, and quiver at my side. I slowly creep through the woods, thinking about how the possibilities of me being killed were very, very high. In fact-

Snap.

I freeze.

Pit-pat. Pit-pat.

Slowly, I crouch and sneak closer to the noise. The bushes rattle, and the footsteps grow closer... and closer... Sweat drips down my forehead and into my eyes, blurring my vision for a swift moment.

HURR-AHHGG!!!

I nearly leap out of my skin as a creature comes roaring past, nearly knocking me over. I turn to face it, and drop my bow in disappointment. It was just a parasaur. Really? After all of that? I'm about to quit out of frustration when I hear it:

Scritch, scritch, pad, pad.

I know that noise. It's the same one that greeted me that first night on this island. The unmistakable sound of a raptor. Ever so carefully, I silently creep my way under the bushes, and hit something hard. A rock. Go figure. However, this could be used to my advantage... I slowly climb to the top, and peek below.

There, just beyond my rock, is a small pack of Velociraptors. One is silver and brown, the other a shining purple. The last is red. He stands up on a higher vantage point, nose in the air. The Alpha.

I readied my bow.

He turns his head, and beady, yellow eyes meet my brown ones. He has spotted me. With one quick battle cry, all three charge my rock. I knock an arrow and aim for the Alpha's head.

Grr-aahh!

I smirk. Direct hit.

The next arrow finds it's mark as well, and the next, and the next. I'm 100% sure I have this in the bag until that raptor gives me the death glare. And right then, I know that I'm dead before it even happens. The Alpha suddenly sprints towards my position, and with one mighty leap, makes it up on top of my rock. In no time I'm tackled, his feet on my legs and his claws on my neck. Somehow, the bow is still in my hands. Everything seems to be going in slow motion as I draw back one last arrow, and aim for his neck. The arrow hits home, and the raptor gives one final shriek before dropping to the ground. The others in his pack seem to realize their leader is down, and take off into the woods.

I slowly get up, my knees shaking. The raptor in front of me is unconscious. I can't believe I actually did it! After drooling over my prize for a few minutes, I remember Indra's instructions. Carefully, I take a piece of prime meat and feed it to my raptor. He excepts it, even though unconscious, which is kind of strange, but I just go with it. I give him a second, and a third, then finally a fourth. Suddenly, he leaps to his feet, and I grab my bow and aim it at his face.

He does not attack.

For a few moments we just stand there, staring at one another. I notice that the deadly look his eyes is gone, replaced by an almost docile, understanding gaze. I lower my weapon, and hold my hand out to him. He slowly presses his muzzle into my palm, and the circle of trust is complete. I smile and look over my raptor. His white scales glow, and his red ones shine like fire in the sun. Right then the perfect name pops into my head. "I'll call you Flame. You like that?" The raptor in question cocks his head and blinks. I laugh. "Gee, never thought I'd say this, but you're pretty cute when you do that. Let's head back to camp." And so, my new raptor and I head back to the Wayas.