On his way to Vala

"I'm on my way, dub dee dub, I'm on my way" He sang in his head. He was happy. The people seemed nice. The last week had already given him a chance to prove his value as a smith by ironing a couple of ponies. And he certainly knew how to start a fire, or how to cook a rabbit whit wild roots and fruits better than most.
By the campfire, as he cooked, he had seen the guards training. Up and down the hill they went, with their armors on. So slow they seemed to be. But when they fenced with wooden swords... Well, that was something interesting to watch. He followed a man with his eyes, and mentally went through the motions. Feeling the tip of the imaginary sword run through the air.

Life on the way was a good life.

By day the walking along the slowly driven wagons was easy on his feet. Certainly, it was nothing like the forced marching a small orc raiding party was being put through, some miles ahead...
Suddenly, without him noticing it, a dwarf walked up to him and said hi.
"Oh bugga, here we go again" thought our boy, tired of being targeted by this people's hatred against his race.
- So... what you doing here pup?
Well... the tone wasn't the best... but it coulda been worse..
- Uhm... I was left out of my job recently... needed another one and this seemed like a nice one.
- They hired you to walk along the wagons?
- Well, no. Not exactly. I'm a skilled smith... and I can fight.
- So... you think fighting is a good job?
- .... I can see where you're going dwarf. I'm not going there. I don't like to.
- My my! A smart half orc!... Careful pup. We don't like you here.
- Careful dwarf. Bad things tend to happen to people who don't like me.
Menacing stares where exchanged.
And then, he saw it happening.
A shimmer here, a glint over there. A veteran walking with a step too stiff.
It was sheer luck, but he had seen it. They were all waiting, ready and willing. Had he gone one step further with his hand on the hilt of his sword, he wouldn't have lived to tell the story.
He relaxed the grip and looked away from the dwarf.
- I said I'm not going there dwarf.
- Hrmpf. You better watch you back.- Said the dwarf, as he walked away.
- You rest assure, dwarf, if we come across bandits, I'll have yours.

And then, as if summoned, it was in the air. It seemed to humm with energy.
He wasn't the only one to notice it. The veteran stiffened his pace again.
And there it was. Orc stench. From the northwest. Straight ahead. Coming at us. Charging. He searched the eyes of the veteran and nodded to him.
Oooooorcs! They shouted.
Seconds later, the arrow shower began.