The Legend of Bun and the Murkhlings of Shandapidoor

“And that’s my story,” said Cao Nyut to Bun, “about how I left the Island Citadel of Sot and came to this strange land of forests, freshwater rivers, and peculiar Cannesians who are not destroyed by my Shining Yellow Blast of Cynicism.”

Bun was silent for a long time. At last, he said, “whatever became of Derek.”

“I know not,” said Cao Nyut. “I have traveled far from the land of my birth, nor do I believe I am welcome there anymore. Perhaps he has moved on. I hope with all my heart that he is happy.”

“But you are not happy,” said Bun, examining the pachyderm.

“Oh, no,” said Cao Nyut, shaking his enormous head miserably, “I cannot be happy. I am all alone, full of feelings which are jaded and cynical. Nor do I have anywhere to go, master Bun, no house to call home. I only travel the lands in search of Thermock, she who stole my childlike innocence and left me like this.”

They were quiet for a time. Then, suddenly, Bun perked up. “You know, the road is my home,” he said.

“Is it?” said Cao Nyut.

“Yes. I have chosen a life of adventure. You only live once, you know, and I have learned that many people live their entire lives without so much as setting foot outside the things they already know. These people are dark, Cao Nyut, for there is no light shining inside. Understand that light is the brilliance of new things.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

These words felt right and true to Bun. Although he had never before spoken them, he had felt them throughout his whole entire life, and now that they had escaped his lips, he felt joyful, cathartic. Oh my Gods, he narrated privately, I believe I am finding myself. Yes, this is who I am. But Cao Nyut just stared.

“You choose this life?” he said.

“I have chosen it,” said Bun. “Everyone in my village was dark. I felt that then. There was no movement. Life in the tribe was like being a fish in stagnant water. And if it weren’t for Choggo, I may never have been so lucky as to taste fresh water in all my life.”

And so Bun, he of the seafoam eyes and sandy hair, told his story to Cao Nyut.

By the time he was finished, it was dark, and Cao Nyut showed him how to make a fire by first capturing, and then summoning fields of energy which are always present in the air. It was a small trick, but Bun was amazed.

“I didn’t know I could do magick!” he said, “if only Choggo could see this!” and for the first time, he felt a pang of homesickness. He rejected this pang, however. He was a traveler. That was his identity, now.

Cao Nyut nodded serenely. “There is much we can do that we are not yet aware of. Bun, I want to ask you a question.”

They were eating meat from Cao Nyut’s pouch. Bun chewed, then asked what the question was.

“Would you like to come with me to find and capture Thermock?”

Bun, who had nowhere else to go, agreed. The next morning, they started off on their journey together.