The Chronicler Kadehi is a De-Matoran who was exiled from his home of De-Koro on the Tren Krom Peninsula for being too loud with his music. After leaving that island and exploring for a while, he found himself amongst friends at an inn called the Gukko’s Tree on the northern edge of the Southern Continent, where he collected tales from travelers and wrote them into verse and song, which he keeps stored and recorded. He stayed and worked there for many years, possibly even centuries, although he admits he has forgotten how long he was truly there for. He states that one traveler informed him of the Akutana e-Metru Nui’s existence, and was so excited at the prospect to learn of these stories, that he left the next evening to journey to the city. Upon arriving in Metru Nui, he sought out the Akutana and offered his works as proof of his worth to the guild.
The following experience is reportedly one of his own. We estimate it occurred roughly one century before the Civil War broke loose.
The Traveler and the Stone Rats
A Tale by the Chronicler Kadehi
I met a fellow Traveler
On my path to Gukko’s Tree
Greetings had
Though looked he sad
So asked I him to follow me
Though strong in face, he did seem odd
In unorthodox attire
His armor hues
Of reds and blues
Not normal for kin of fire
At tabletop, I asked his woes
And so his story sewn
A tale of longing
For true belonging
And no home to call his own
Twas then the innkeep asked me
A favor for a coin
A treasure lost
For such a cost
I could not but help to join
Invited I the Traveler also
Though in him, I saw fear
Yet raging fire
Of great desire
Was brandishing his spear
So journeyed we to Stone Rat Cave
To find the stolen treasure
With spear, a lute
And baity fruit
We carried for good measure
Upon the den, we lighted
Our trap all set to spring
Outside the mouth
We waited South
On bated breath, we cling
Out came the many stone rats
In dark and dirty grey
They took the bait
The fruit they ate
And I did start to play
A sultry tune I strummed
The rats my audience now
And in their peep
They fell asleep
But I didn’t take my bow
For then it was the Traveler’s turn
He snuck into their cave
Then ran he out
With frightened shout
Then I saw what made him rave
Out came a giant stone rat
The mother of the swarm
So we did run
The chase begun
From the wailing, gnashing form
We headed for a river
And lost it in the tide
From river’s shore
To tavern’s door
We cheered we had not died
We gave the innkeep’s disk back
And he paid us what he said
The Kanoka hung
Our songs were sung
Then went we all to bed
When morning broke, the Traveler left
And goodbyes we all had
A happy grin
I saw on him
And for that, I was glad
One day, I’m sure he’ll find his home
Though it may not be so soon
I hope to know
Our fates will flow
To join us under another moon