Jesse will still be writing with us, just not with Mannin; this is Mannin's
farewell post. 
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        Mannin's every breath came in sucking, tired gasps, his knuckles
turning white at the strength of his grasp on the sword.  He had been
running for hours now, his feet aching and tired, but he had not evaded his
pursuer yet.  Staring at his other hand, in which is grasped a silvery-glass
scale, tears stinging his eyes.
        "Oh, Shard...dammit, I won't let you go in vain..."  A howling sound
behind Mannin makes him turn, burning red eyes visible in the mist.  The man
leaped out of his cover, slather dripping from his fang-like teeth and foam
spraying out.
        "Crap!"  Swinging his massive sword, he connects solidly with the
man's armor, tossing him against a stone jutting from the craggy soil.
Diving in after the beastial man, he strikes a lightning series of blows
with his blade.
        "Die!" the man hissed, kicking his legs out, pushing Mannin back off
the stone, crashing down through the gravel.  Rising up, silohueted by the
moon, the blows being shrugged off with frightening ease, the assailant grinned.
        "Charmak does not appreciate your meddling.  You did not allow his
precious to meet him at the appointed time!  Your animal is dead, and you
shall follow!"  More armored men crawling up through the shadows and
darkness, weapons and teeth dripping with blood.  Shard's blood Mannin
realizes, drawing back in horror.  "Charmak will reward us greatly for your
head, filthy trash!"
        The swarming warriors riding across the stones, rushing towards
Mannin who, in his desperate attempt to flee, tosses his sword at the lead
attacker while running as fast as his tired feet can carry him.
        The burning pain of the blade, ripping through his skin and leaving
a searing canal in his shoulderblade.  A second blow drops him, hamstrung
and bleeding.  The horde of screaming fighters drag him down, smashing and
biting, blood flowing freely.  His last thoughts are of Shard, and of
fleeing the freakish attackers, all to keep them from Geode and Amintha, his
home and friend.
        And Mannin died, to appease Charmak's thirst for death and save
those he befriended and respected.  The final bite on his throat ends those
thoughts, leaving a body left of soul, ruined in it's creation, defiled by
darkness...dead