TITLES MEANT NOTHING
A nearly hysterical laugh escaped me when Luca called me 'Your Highness'. Titles meant nothing in the wilderness. Surprisingly enough, that realization made me somewhat pleased, despite our terrible situation.
"It's an order, Captain," I said, matching the stubborn frown on his face.
"I can do it while I'm here," he insisted.
"You can't do it while bathing."
"Then I'll do it after my bath."
"I'm going to treat your wounds right after your bath."
He sighed. "Do you even know how to wash clothes?"
"Of course I do," I said confidently. It shouldn't be so hard. "Now give it."
Luca gave up. He bundled up his soaked shirt and trousers and threw them on the ground beside me.
I picked up the wet bundle along with his cloak and moved downstream a little away from where he was submerged. Taking off my shoes, I carefully stepped over the wet stones on the bank. Then I crouched down and dumped the clothes into the stream.