“You can make soap from both,” said River.
The sun was still up but on the way down. We were making camp earlier than we normally did but I guessed the captain had sensed his company needed fresh meat, hygiene and more sleep.
But so did his prisoners. “Captain,” I called through the slats.
Both groups, men and women, fell silent.
Taking his time, he turned from where he had strung the two deer from a lower tree branch. Knife in hand, he faced me. He had rolled the sleeves of his shirt up his elbows, exposing his forearms without their vambraces. “Yes, priestess?”
“We would like to bathe also.”
“There is not an abundance of soap, madam. Each soldier has his own—"
“We can use clematis and eucalyptus. At least let us in the water when your men have finished.”
His men watched us speak. I noticed Perch and Thatcher, standing next to Alric, watching him more than watching me, even while I talked.
He sighed through his nose.
“Please,” I continued, infusing more emotion in my voice. “Grant us the dignity.”
Maureen had stepped next to me to peer over my shoulder out at the soldiers. I noticed the handsome young one look away from me to her.
He stepped forward. “I have extra, captain. They can have my extra bar.”
Alric turned to him. “Luka, you mean well, but—”
“Thank you, young man!” I said, ebullient.
Alric’s eyes darted to me. The speed of his glance was the only thing that gave away his annoyance. But I had been watching him all day for several days. He was annoyed. “Madam, you thank too soon. You ought to not count your chickens, as it were.”
Mischa now looked out over my other shoulder. “He is a bastard,” she whispered.
“It’s just a bath,” Thatcher said, his words meant only for the captain. “They’re women. I feel bad not letting them bathe. It’s not like they are the men we—”
“Noted,” said Alric, holding up his hand.
“They smell rotten,” Perch said.
While I did not believe his aim was to offend and he was truly considering our humanity, Mischa felt differently.
“Speak for yourself, you prick,” she called out from behind me.
Confused, he looked at her, taking in her stubborn features and her cornsilk curls, which somehow did not seem as dirty as the rest of our hair.
“I’m on your side,” he answered her.
She shrugged. “You seem like a prick.”
“My gods, woman. I’m the reason you’re alive,” he retorted. “If it weren’t for the fact that I have respect for religious institutions and sacred places like temples, you would have been run through on our swords. Because of my faith, you live.”
“No, idiot, that would be Edie because she—”
With a smack, Helena had appeared next to Mischa and covered her mouth. Wedging her way through our tangle of bodies, she pressed her face through two of the slats. “Captain, please excuse our behavior. We take our discomfort out on you.” She released Mischa’s mouth from under her hand and turned the smack into a half hug, pulling a chagrined Mischa further behind me and away from the slats. Then she pushed her face against the opening and said, “Forgive us. Should there be time this evening and should you change your mind, we will be quick about bathing.”
Thatcher, having watched her closely, held up his hand towards her, saying to Alric, “There, they promised they would be quick about it.”
Alric said nothing and turned to the deer, beginning to skin the one closest to him.
