[Probably the latter, but who’s to say he wasn’t heading in the same direction? Erik has an interest in the towns in this area — what they can offer, what kind of company he can keep. Just like he knows all the backroads to take, heading from one to the other.]

Little place just up north, right? Same way I’m going, so it works out.

[At least the path is relatively straightforward from here on out.]

What do you need “foreign and unique” materials for?