Kauna and Lendon, or the Banishment of Chythos

There was a day that came when Tadione, the Goddess of Love, was bored. Nothing in Ocith held any entertainment for her, food and drink did not satisfy. She cast her gaze here and there, and then down upon Kadeth, hoping to find some diversion. She saw a handsome young man, hunting in the forests. At first, she thought to reveal herself to him, perhaps make him a plaything. Then she spotted her kinswoman, Kauna, Goddess of the Hunt, tracking down the same deer. "Kauna is so solitary all the time, I wish she would find love, perhaps with this young hunter," Tadione mused. Now, a wish of a god has a magic all its own. This was no idle thought, but a powerful spell that she cast on Kauna and the young man. As soon as they set eyes on each other, they rushed together and embraced. The young man was known as Lendon Flintstride. He and Kauna spent days in the forest, walking, talking, hunting, but mostly being in love. Tadione watched the two from Ocith, and she was pleased to see them enjoying each other's company. But in that part of the forest there walked Chythos, the God of Vengeance. He saw the happy couple, and his heart was filled with envy and spite. For Chythos had never known love, and upon witnessing it, sought only to stifle and destroy it. But Chythos was sly, and his vengeful nature kept him from striking the young man directly. Instead he followed the pair, oblivious as they were to anything but each other. When Kauna suggested a hunt, and Lendon agreed, Chythos went into action, placing a spell on Kauna's bow, to find the heart of young Lendon. Everything went as Chythos planned. The bow twanged, the arrow sought its target, and Lendon lay dying in a hollow on top of a hill. Kauna was distraught, and sought to save her lover, but it was too late. Lendon breathed his last. Kauna cried out in pain as her heart broke, cried so loudly that all of the worlds could hear her pain. It shook Ocith, and Xedes took Dhorus with him to investigate. Xedes appeared at one side of Kauna, and Dhorus on the other. Xedes put a hand on his kinswoman's shoulder as Dhorus examined the body of Lendon. "There is magic here," the god said, "And not of her doing. I fear two gods have meddled." Dhorus came and whispered in Xedes' ear. The High God was enraged when he was told who had done the deeds, and he summoned Tadione, and she quaked at his anger, as he said, "No more games for your silly amusement! Henceforth you are forbidden to use your powers on other gods, no matter what your intentions." And Kauna stood and looked at Tadione. "You did this?" At Tadione's shamefaced nod, Kauna shook her head, "You made me love him, and now he is dead, by my hand. I will love no more." "Not by your hand, kinswoman," Xedes proclaimed. Then he yanked Chythos out of the thicket where he had been hiding. "You did this! Not for any good reason, but for petty spite and twisted delight! You are not welcome in Ocith anymore. I ban you to walk on Kadeth, alone, forevermore." And Xedes threw Chythos as far as he could, and none of them could say where he landed. But Kauna stuck to her vow, and when Xedes saw she was serious, he took Lendon's body and placed it amongst the stars, forming a new constellation. And Kauna caused to grow 12 strong linden trees in a circle around the spot where he had fallen, and their branches wove together until all were one. And those trees have stood on that hilltop to this day, as Kauna has kept her vow just as faithfully.