[Firefoot]

After Lushurd passed on, neither Grimkul nor Ulwakh made any attempt to “get the camp in order.” Grimkul had returned to his task of spearing rodents (without any luck), while Ulwakh was paying more attention to what was going on in the camp – in particular, to the returning scouts. Grimkul may not care, but Ulwakh had found it to his benefit to know everything that was going on. It was the best way to avoid attention from those higher up, an essential for a smaller, less strong Orc.

Ulwakh soon spotted one that he knew: a burly creature by the name of Ugburz. “Hey, Grimkul,” said Ulwakh, not taking his eyes off Ugburz. Grimkul didn’t look up, though still listened. “Let’s go find out what’s going on from Ugburz; he was one of the scouts tonight.” Now Grimkul did look up, and his features were twisted in irritation. He was hungry and concentrated on his task, and Ulwakh wanted news?

“Can it wait?” The mouse’s whiskers appeared at the bottom of the hole again. “Why don’t you just go by yourself for once?”

“Um…” Ulwakh debated. Ugburz seemed to be going someplace, and Ulwakh was not so bold as to interrupt such a large Orc once he was busy, and going alone was out of the question. The whole army was liable to be irritable after such a long cold march, and he was a mighty easy target without Grimkul’s protection. “It won’t take long, then you can come back and eat,” Ulwakh evaded.

Grimkul’s mouse seemed to become suddenly wary of danger and once more ducked out of sight. “Pushdug rodent!” Grimkul snarled. “Fine, where’s Ugburz at?”

“That way,” Ulwakh pointed, picking up his pack. He didn’t dare leave anything unguarded in this camp. Grimkul followed suit and the pair threaded their way through the rather haphazard camp.

“Ugburz!” called Ulwakh as they caught up. Grimkul stood behind, still thinking about his dinner (or lack thereof). When Ugburz turned around, Ulwakh continued, “You were a scout tonight, weren’t you? What’s happening with those filthy Elves?”