Taxídia was with her mother among the mortals as she grew to adulthood. One day in a tavern she met a plain young man, whom she fell in love with. He was a sturdy traveler, skilled with the bow, and she accompanied him on many a journey. At the end of a particularly long journey, in the capital of Archaíos, he proposed to her.
“I wish I could, but …” Taxídia longed to agree, but could not marry without the blessing of the Great Goddess Tyes, so she returned to Vounó, home of the gods, and beseeched the Goddess to break tradition this one time.
Tyes would not be swayed. Taxídia pleaded everyday for a year and half, and finally Tyes proposed a test:
“If this ‘lover’ of yours can safely cross the wolfen wild with only his bow as protection, you may be wed.”
“Don’t fret, Dia, I will win your hand yet,” saying thus, her lover took his bow and quiver and set out. Against all odds, he traveled fast, shooting the wolves from a far and receiving not a scratch. The Great Goddess saw he fared well and turned her gaze upon other matters, seeking to distract the worried Taxídia less she be driven to breaking code and descending to help her man.
Alas, all would have gone well, if not for Bonti, the god of harvest, who was jealous, wanting Taxídia for himself. With the Goddess and Taxídia distracted, he came down to the man, and, breaking his bow, fled. Unable to defend himself, the mortal fell quickly to the wolves and was torn apart.
Learning of his death, Taxídia fell on the wolves, the children of Kakó, and killed them all. Returning to her lover’s side to rest his head upon her lap, she wept. Even Patrída, the goddess of good cheer, could not turn the woman’s sorrow and Taxídia held her lover and wept a day and a night. Ashamed of his act, Bonti confessed before the council of gods what he had done.
The Great Goddess shook her head in shame and anger, “You have broken my word.”
She stripped Bonti of everything he called his own, handing the care of harvest to Patrída, and threw him into the chaos and darkness to think upon his sins.
Broken hearted, Taxídia stood before the council, her hands and dress stained with the blood of her slain lover, and swore an oath of virginity.
“Never again, never again shall I take any man into my heart, for it belongs now in the house of Thánatos with my dear wanderer.”
Holding to her word, Taxídia never did take another lover, instead dedicating her life to protecting all travelers and wanderers. Watching her dedication and love, the pantheon and people were awed, and from that time forth she was respected and numbered among the gods.