I used to think that Calder was a man of few words, but now I’d say he doesn’t have any. Hasn’t spoken up without me saying something first since Windhelm, and tonight we’re in Ivarstead. I got so lonely I resurrected a poor little dead fox we found just for the company. Calder didn’t like that. I could tell by the way he didn’t blink.

This whole situation came about when Stenvar and I got to discussing how I need to see the Greybeards again. Maybe they heard another echo of power somewhere. The gods know that Stenvar and I pick the wrong places to look. Anyway I didn’t want Stenvar to climb all of those steps this time on account of his knee injury. I couldn’t say it that way, though. So I asked him what he had for sale.

It was a bunch of junk, of course. Plus the potions that I made for him, but it was the wrong time to start an argument about that. He said he intended to acquire some new inventory for his shop, which means go raiding. I said fine, good hunting. I’m off to see some old men. Calder glanced to the side a little and kind of breathed through his nose. That’s Calder talk for he wants to go with me.

So here we are in Ivarstead about to make the climb. I took him through Nelheim to show him the view. The smell was bad because of the rotting bandits from the last time through there with Stenvar, but Kyne smiled and we could see all the way back home to Windhelm. Then we ran along the ridge to Ivarstead, and here we are. I like this little town. Wilhelm runs a nice inn. But they could sure as sixteen hells use another merchant.