Not saying that he is not important, just trying to figure out if the story changed. Maybe changed twice. Maybe they had originally had Richard as a central character, he then gets a major role on Cane, no longer in the plot line, Cane cancelled, now a major role again. I guess my quest for the end just continually hinges on the characters that seem to be " in the know". How does Richard fit in....is he a former leader, a chosen one, someone who is a vessel for another ie...Jacob, or just another misdirection?