SpoilerMy work is not as good as yours, milady
Neshi, utterly shocked by both revelation and confession, merely moves from rote, now no more man than machine. He salutes her smartly, clicking his heels and straightening his stance, as if he were on parade. "Your will be done, milady"
Feeling like a fool, he turns about and adjusts his helm. Striding stiffly over to his fallen arms, he straps his shield on once more and wipes the blade of his khopesh on his trouser leg.
What in bleeding blazes is an ogre? It sounds familiar... but I just can't place it... holy headless Humbaba-Eke! Spawn of Seth!
He moves over to the cart and unties his donkey. He walks it along as he leads the sorry troop. "Forward march, troop" Neshi commands, trying desperately not to let his voice quaver or his blade shiver.
Tchah! As if they don't know you're already there! The noise from that exorcism was enough to wake the dead, damnit!
Wake the dead...
He continues voicing orders with the same pitch and volume as he did before, making sure that he is heard by his companions but not anyone else. "Chuck, make thee certain the captives be bound ever tight. Gag them anew as awell. Milady Daiy, please thyself to what comfort the cart may yield thee in thy infirmity but be be prepared to jump off. 'Twill, methinks, also serve a good vantage for thy archery"
He looks around, scanning the dark woodlands for any signs of trouble before continuing. "Martin, up front and center, with me. Make ready what battle-magic ye have, for we are up against the mighty ones, the Eker'ri, humongous spawn of Seth!"
Keeping on marching, Neshi motions with his chin to the right of the path. "Yorrick, take the flank. Make ready to charge in from the wings and destroy their weapons--- thy sword and sinew seem well equipped for that. Shout the Cry of Efer-nim if they get to you first. Do not engage without support--- retreat towards our position and we shall cover for thee"
Neshi marches on, sheathes his sword and takes out a rock... a plan already forming in the brain of the former captain... Milord Horus-Re, mayest Thou lead us safe through the valley of death unto the hill of victory. So mote it be.