take apart the counting and the flock it has bred

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!

"It would indeed," came the amicable response, and he felt a sense of pride and pleasure that they both had risen in their respective homes to the level that others would entrust them with leadership. True, most days he hardly felt like he deserved it or knew what he was doing, but still they looked to him. If he was being honest with himself, it was a good feeling despite his trepidations.

The mention of Helena took him by surprise. It had been months since he had thought on her, though the rememberance now sent a slight shock of fresh hurt to the old wound. He shook his head, letting loose a deep sigh. "No, no luck. I can only hope and assume that she returned home or moved on to greener pastures, so to speak. Guess these wilds didn't appeal to her." He wondered that she hadn't informed him, but did not hold it against her. She had been like a sister to him and he still considered her such despite her disappearance. Should she return he would welcome her as one again. "But I too am glad to see a familiar face. Crazy how that works." He had not expected to encounter Mordecai again.

"Explored any more caves?" he asked with a grin, remembering their previous adventure. Dante had encountered no more ghostly caverns or anything that had given him quite that feeling and wondered if Mordecai's time had been as uneventful.