Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

KOTW

Chapter 13

Cleo and River were sitting alongside a small pond. River, an expert hunter, had easily snagged an unaware Andrewsarchus for Cleo, while she herself ate a large dodo.

“So,” River said, “Tell me about yourself, Cleo.”

Cleo chewed her food slowly. “Well,” she began, “I’m a Lightning Wyvern. My mother and father were rich, famous politicians. Because of that, I was supposed to marry the Prince.”

River lifted her eyebrow. “What are ya doing out here?”

“The Prince’s father had a forbidden relationship with another type of Wyvern,” Cleo answered. “The King was killed and the Prince was supposed to die. But we got away.”

River whistled. “No wonder they’re trying to kill you. You helped a fugitive.”

“Well, yeah,” Cleo stuttered defensively. “But they were wrong to kill Ares’ father.”

“So that’s the Prince’s name?” River asked. “Ares? Where is he now?”

Cleo shrugged sadly. “Probably Wyvern Central. That stupid bat tricked me. Now we’re separated.”

“If Ares got away from those people, then he should be fine by himself,” River said, sensing Cleo’s frustration. “Let’s get some rest, okay?”

“I’m done,” Snow said to Ares. “Sorry, but we’ve been looking for almost two moon cycles.”

Ares rolled his eyes at her exaggerated time-span. They’d been looking for Cleo for maybe a day and a half. Snow provided Ares and the twins food and found a small cave in the woods for them to sleep.

“It’s okay, Snow,” Ares said. He’d grown fond of the Wyvern and enjoyed the company. The twins were usually bickering, which could get annoying. “We tried.”

Snow sighed. “Have you thought of a place she may have been? She could’ve returned there.”

Ares started to shake his head, then stopped. “Wait, the cave!” Ares looked at Snow. “That bat told me there was some weird monster near that cave! Do you know where that is?”

Snow thought for a moment. “Oh, those grassy plains. With some trees scattered around?”

Ares nodded eagerly.

“Well, that monster is just an urban legend,” Snow said. “But I know where the cave is. I memorized lots of places, just in case something happens.”

Ares barely heard Snow’s words. “We have to go back to that cave! There is something fishy about that bat, Malston.”

Jazz nodded. “I agree. The way you explained him, he sounds fishy.”

Razz snorted. “You think you’re a detective Jazz? Do you not know who Malston is? He’s Lord Hiro’s strategist.”

Everyone looked at Razz. “How do you know this?” Ares asked.

“Almost all of us know. Us small creatures like Featherlight, Fjordhawk, Shinehorn, and such, we stay connected,” Razz answered.

Razz and Jazz settled onto Ares’ back. “I knew something was weird.”

Snow asked, “Can I come?”

“I don’t mind,” Ares replied. “But what about your family?”

“I go missing for days at a time sometimes,” Snow said. “They don’t care.”

“I see,” Ares said. “Anyways, let’s go find Cleo!”