The Sentinels Time to take a little from this world we're given

The child snuck up on him.. the river's sound masked her own despite her youth and inexperience, and Dante's mind wandered too far in the realm of 'what-if'. When her small voice came, he stepped back in surprise, and momentarily thought perhaps he should depart.

When the initial reaction calmed, however, he noted she didn't sound fearful.  Perhaps Lasher had straightened things out, or maybe she had just calmed down, but she knew his name when she greeted him.  This was good; he was hardly of a mind for a repeat episode.  

"Deirdre,"  he greeted her back, though he didn't move to go closer.  Instead he stayed at the water's edge.