(A bit retroactive here.)

Bründir gives a wide smile and shoves the flask into Vark's hand, " 'Alf giv'n is twice return'd." He grabs Vark's shoulder and gives a friendly shake. The gesture seems invigorating as much as comforting (Cure Wounds!). "Don' hold back. Seen too many break an arm or leg in th' mines. 'Fore the doctor can sets th' bone, they give th' miner two stiff drinks, then th' doc takes one too." The dwarf jabs a finger close to Vark's wound, "Ye may as well drink as clean; it's all th' same spot. Ye done well, lad, don' ev'r think ye didn't. Hells, ye beat them 'fore I could get outta bed even."

Dorno takes his time to gently climb over a low spot amidst the cart barricade.  It isn't very graceful, but neither does he bump or damage anything either.  As Archibald prompts him for a handshake the seven and half foot tall firbolg bends over a bit and stares at the stranger's hand for a second look curious.  Then he says "oh, right!" and completely envelops Archibald's hand with his own giant one, shaking it up and down awkwardly as if he is not very practiced at this.  It provides a good tug on Archibald's whole arm and shoulder, but isn't too violent over all.  "You can call me, ah..., Dorno!  Yeah, Dorno!"  He probably doesn't seem like he's lying or making this up on the fly, but rather that he simply hasn't used this name in a while.

"What are you doing here?"  After a second his expression grows a bit more concerns and he adds more quietly "it might be dangerous" while looking over his shoulder into the night and then back at the crack in their stone shelter.

Archibald takes the time to orient Dorno.  “We are on a mission to protect this caravan off goods to help serve both dwarven miners and some elf folk.  Trying to scratch up some coin with this job as well.  We’ve lost a couple companions along the way... be willing to cut you in for your troubles.  That is of course taking a small 10% finder fee for me of course!”  Archie says with a wink

"Are they nice dwarves and elves?  I can help.  How did you lose people?  Are they ok?"  Dorno sounds concerned.

Regarding the pay aspects, Dorno just seems confused and keeps his distance from Archibald.  "Why do you need to cut me?  I don't make trouble.  I won't hurt anyone.  We'll, except for nasty kobold.  I thump them good.  Who are you finding?  I find you!"   He seems to perk up at the end and the thought of finding people to help, seemingly already forgetting about this apparent threat to 'cut him'.

Vark breathes in the open mountain air, thankful to be out of the crevice. he looks back at their new companion, smiling (then wincing at the pain). "I uh, think it's best to just smile and nod when he's talking, Dorno. I'm Vark by the way. Glad to have you along." Vark is clearly more comfortable now that he's in the company of this party.

Dorno simply responds "I'm good at that" with regard to being advised to smile and nod.  "Nice to meet'cha Vark.  You can call me Dorno."

The caravan progresses into a valley with pine trees covering the slopes on either side of the road. Dorno, Archie and Valaith all spot shadowy figures moving amongst the trees either side as they roll along.

Valaith spots the movement and notices Archie seems to as well. She hustles up next to the gnome’s cart with her hammer still resting on her shoulder. She leans in a whispers to him. “Any way you could alert the caravan we are about to get ambushed again?”

(Archibald would be sitting on the front carriage next to the driver). He tells the driver to stop the cart but be ready.

”Either get your swords or your tea pots ready boys, we have company!”

Archibald steps out in front of the carriage and speaks out into the darkness.  “We are aware of your presence out there.  Are you friend or foe?  We may appear to be a humble trade caravan, but I should warn you of the soldiers protecting it.  We come in peace... but tested you may find yourself leaving in pieces, that’s the Swiftstep guarantee!  Now show yourselves and get out of the shadows like the respectable folk I know you can be.”

Hearing the commotion, Vark also jogs up to the front of the caravan. As Archie gives out his decree, the sorcerer does his usual gust and shocking grasp combo, causing a display of stormy magic to surge around him, in the hopes of intimidating whoever might be watching the group.

Dorno spots the shadowy figures and sees the others jump into action.  He gets down from one of the carts slowly and moves over to the horses, speaking to them and putting a hand on each momentarily.  "Don't worry you guys.  Be brave.  Everything will be ok."  Taking a cue from the others, he furrows his brow and tries, only mildly successfully at best, to look mean in anticipation of a fight.  The lumbering firbolg says a word in Sylvan and rubs a small woven pouch of herbs on his quarterstaff, casting Shillelagh and puts his wooden shield on the opposite arm.

The forest is quiet, but for the wind whistling amongst the pines that line the rocky crags. It seems that for now, whoever or whatever is lurking out there won't bother the caravan, perhaps in part due to Vark's rather impressive magical display. Archie is used to bullies though. They may be gone for now, but he suspects that they will be back in greater numbers. It's about midday and the convoy has another five hours or so ahead of it, before they clear the lower reaches of the mountains and reach the foothills.

Archibald tells the driver to continue on, “but everyone is on high alert!”

 He is also going to keep an eye out for a more defensive place to camp even if it means cutting the travel short an some hours.

Bründir's head raises over the edge of the first cart in the caravan, "Good, good. Tis good th' SCOUTS KNOW WE'RE HERE, YE WEE TWIT!" He restrains himself to a loud hissing while jabbing the but of a javelin at Archie. "D'ye think they'll just stroll about an' say, 'Oi! We're bandits, an' though we've got three t'yer one an' bows t'give each a new arse to shit, we'll come outta hidin'nd make it fair for yer troubles'?!" The dwarf rolls back down as though an arrow could sprout from his head any moment, "Get in th'damn wagons, stay low, an' if ye can'ot fit, stay lookin' simple till they come about."

Valaith will adopt a meandering pattern around the caravan so that she is not always only on one side or only towards the front or rear. Also, she will keep one of her javelins carried in her right hand with the hammer held in her left. “Be wary, first sign of trouble you get them ponies moving! Archie keep a sharp eye out for any choke points and obstructions ahead. Those are the places in which they will try to attack. Narrow passes need to be traveled swiftly, same for any areas where the trees close in near the path.” 

“They were on to use anyways you plum nosed mole lover he chirps back at Brundir,  best make our presence known and understood.  This way, we won’t feel bad about their deaths.  Treat people with respect and you might be surprised at what transpires.... if they wanted us dead they would’ve attacked then.”

"How many did ye count, eh? Did it seem like they could'a taken us all? They're prolly the lookouts who tell a bigger group we're coming. Wolves don' attack deer with a bunch of stags around."

“...wait, who’s the stag in this scenario? Wolves leave other wolves alone too.”

"Wolves..." He stresses pointing at the woods, "don' attack deer..." He points to the wagons and drivers, "When there's stags about..." He points to the party and his javelin.

"If ye tell'em we're a small army o' trained killers, they'll jus' let us pass. This is a trade road, trade'll always be 'ere. They'll prob'ly just wait till the next comes."

After listening to the exchange for a while, Vark chimes in “Uhm... well we do plan on clearing the bandits from the area anyway... right? Maybe... well maybe we can let them think the stags are asleep. Or distracted. Then surprise them.”