Snippet #2226154

"I can always try, what do you need me to do? My name is Vega, though my nickname of sorts...is Pax." The woman answered as she hesitatly shook Asher's hand, her discomfort very obvious. But when she turned to Aella the tention faded and was replaced by a pleasent, beautiful smile. "My full name, or what I can remember of it is Vega Endzela. I was born...and I died, as it is with all of us I'm afraid." Aella shook her hand politely, and could feel how both their hands were trembling. Pax stretched a little and sighed softly. "I am really starting to feel my age now, ten centuries is a long time to hang around for before finding companions. However the tides are...turbulent and we cannot afford to lose."

Aella barely registered that she had spoken. She was bothered by something, but she couldn't quite grasp what this something was. It was on the tip of her tongue but her memory was failing her. It was something related to her past life... but what? Asher also seemed to be bothered. "Wait a minute... Vega Endzela...? Haven't I heard that name before?" Asher muttered, so softly that only Aella who had been standing right next to him could have heard it. "... Argh.. I can't remember..."

Suddenly Aella gasped. Vega Endzela! She knew that story far too well! Could this possibly be the woman who's tragic tale had been used to save Aella in her previous life?

"I know who you are!" Aella exclaimed suddenly, "Your tale is told so often I almost cannot believe I didn't guess it by your face!" Aella looked at Pax with awestruck wonder. "You were the young woman who was married to a man older because it benifited your family; who's husband murdered because he was frusturated when you were unable to provide him children quickly!" Aella touched her heart earnestly, spouting information with a passion. "When they found you, many seasons after the lake had dried up, your family was infuriated and your tale was told all over the land as a testimony against arranged marriages!"

"Your story saved many a girl's hand from a stranger; the hand of my sister and many other girls from a similar fate. Hundreds, nay, thousands of tales are told with your mentioned tragedy, speaking against marriage at such a young tender age and to a stranger! At every wedding I've ever attended the groom swore upon his life never to treat his bride as your husband did you! You saved even mine life from marriage when suitors tried to convince my parents to marry me off to one of them!" Her glittering eyes looked over the idol standing before her in awe and solemn respect. "I never doubted you had once lived, but you passed away long before my birth and I had never thought I'd meet you, much less be allied to you!"

Aella was so moved tears were in her eyes. Perhaps this was strange, but Aella had never wanted to marry nor bear children, and it was sole because of this woman's legacy that she was saved from being forced into such a binding. For this Aella would never be able to thank Pax enough.