<snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip><snip>
"Plenty.  1.  The Gods tried to kill me all my life.  Why?  Well because 2.
When one has no destiny, the gods cannot read your mind, or control you.
They cannot create a future for.  They haven't been able to kill me yet,
have they?  3. Because ever since I was 23, everyone with wisdom and "the
gift" keep on tellin' me this crap.  and my fav, 4.  The Gods are scared
like hell of me!"  Amintha grinned quite evily with that one, and let
Mannin know how much she relished that privelige.
<insert><insert><insert><insert><insert><insert><insert><insert><insert><insert>

  Laughing, "That is not what I mean by destiny.  I am not a creationist,
but destiny is a subtle force more powerful than even the gods.  It doesn't
have dates and stuff, like when you die.  It asserts itself in matters such
as HOW you will die.  If you die of an accident, well, those can be
prevented, but sooner or later, destiny will find a chink in your armor, and
an accident will kill you.  Or if love is your destiny, then you will have
it, though destiny has not control of WHO it is with."

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As they continued to talk, Shard suddenly showed up and said <Mannin, what
are we going to do exactly when we get to the fortress?>

"Do you know where it is?" Amintha asked as well.  The pirate was highly
curious, and for once wanted to know what she was getting into.
---
  "I should know where I was dragged to...but the trouble is that it is in
the wastelands...Shard, you shouldn't come, you know much the wastelands
hurt you."
  <If that god's d@mned Charmak can stand the effects of the wastelands,
then I can give it my all!>
  Turning to Amintha, "His castle is a hollow peak in a mountain at the
fringe of the wastelands, where he looses much of his power...but is still
strong enough to pose a powerful threat."  Smiling, "Still feel like coming?"
  Amintha plants her hands on her waist, standing bent, smiling that smile
of her's, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
  Mannin grins in return, then turns to Shard, "Did you bring my sword?"
  <Still can't believe you want to use this thing.>
  "Nothing wrong with it...just a tad heavy."  Shard wears a single back,
drapped around his neck, and draws a large, steel sheath from the pack.  He
places it on the ground, and Mannin lifts it, his arms bulging with the
weight, and he straps it onto his back.
  "Come on,"  he says, "If I am right, my life may be measured in hours now..."

******
Tag Amintha...and anyone else.