The humid heat weighed on him, his clothes already drenched with sweat. Ansel looked up at the sun. Was it always this hot in the New Lands? Not far in front of him, Zeer walked toward a secluded area on the side of Building 49. Ansel wiped his brow of sweat, sighed, and followed with caution, confused about what the hulking man wanted. His stomach growled. When would he get some food?

They reached a shadowed part of the building with no one nearby. Zeer turned and casually leaned against the wall, studying him. He waited for Zeer to talk first, passing the time by tapping his right finger against his leg. Ansel didn't have a read on what the man wanted; antagonizing him would only lead to more trouble. Enemies were something he didn't need more of. Better wait and see what he has to say. After a brief time, Zeer finally spoke.

"Did you kill the queen?"

Ansel narrowed his eyes. Every person he encountered since becoming a prisoner assumed his guilt. Finally, someone asked whether he actually did it.

Ansel took a step back, wary of Zeer's reaction. "No."

Zeer stroked his beard. He whispered under his breath, too quiet to be heard. Ansel only caught, "he wouldn't let that happen."

Ansel frowned. Who wouldn't let what happen?

It didn't take long for the man to come to a conclusion. He straightened up. Ansel tensed, ready to run if he attacked.

Zeer locked eyes with him, a strange light in them. "I believe you."

The last thing he expected to hear. "You what? Why would you believe me on my word alone?" A feeling of relief grew but he stifled it. He couldn't get his hopes up after pushing them down for so long.

Zeer's face remained unreadable. He glanced at Ansel's spiraling black tattoos. "Many years ago, my son was saved by the Foundlings. They protected him and gave him purpose. I never believed they would kill the queen."

Ansel's eyebrows raised. "You have a son in the Foundlings? Do I know him?"

"I don't feel like talking more about my son right now. We haven't had spoke for years. He doesn't even know I'm alive," Zeer said.

"But-"

"I'll tell you more about him another time, but not now." Zeer motioned toward the entrance of Building 49. "Come, I have something to give you." He turned to walk away.

Ansel's mouth firmed into a line but he dropped the topic. He would remember to ask more about his son later. He reached out and grabbed Zeer's shoulder. "Wait."

Zeer turned back, his jaw clenched. He looked at where Ansel touched him with barely concealed frustration.

"You really believe me?" The prospect of not being hated by someone was a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. Of having a friend again. Relief welled up inside and this time he let it grow. A single tear pooled up in the corner of his left eye. He quickly wiped it away.

Zeer nodded, his eyes softening for a moment. "Follow me. We don't have much time. I want to give you something before the guards come to get us."

"Come to get us for what?"

"You'll see. Now stop with the questions."

They emerged from the secluded area back onto the dirt road. He followed, lost in thought. Maybe Zeer will help me escape from here. He shoved that thought down to the depths of his mind. Too much to hope for.

They entered the building. The now familiar stench of grimy men filled the air. All the men inside stopped what they were doing to watch them. Curiosity was evident on their faces about what was said. Zeer ignored their looks and led him through the throng of men to a bed in the back of the room. The "bed" was a couple of planks of wood put together to create a flat surface. A rough blanket, that was stained brown, lay on top of the planks. The bed was separated from the others but not by much. Must be Zeer's bed. The men must really respect him to give him even this much space. Zeer lifted the bed up and jostled with some planks underneath. One of the planks came loose. He reached down into the hole and pulled out a dirty cloth with something wrapped inside. Zeer handed the package to him.

He unwrapped it. Inside, he found happiness. A half loaf of bread with dark yellow cheese. Without thought, he ripped into the food with the ferocity of a starving animal. Zeer watched him devour the meal with a slight smile. He finished the last few crumbs, licking his fingers. Men around the room were glancing his way with looks ranging from uncaring to angry. He ignored them.

Zeer sat down on the bed and chuckled. "I hope you enjoyed that because it'll be a while before you get more. You looked like you needed that more than me."

Ansel looked down at the crumbs covering his ragged clothing. He gave me his food? He sat down on the floor next to Zeer's bed and grinned. "Thank you."

Zeer didn't return the smile."To be honest, I gave it to you with the hopes you would help me today."

The smile dropped from Ansel's face. Nothing is ever free. "Help you with what?"

Zeer lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "How would you like to get out of this camp soon?"

Ansel scanned around the room to see if any others were listening. The men were having their own conversations. "Of course I want that. Why would you bring me along? I'll just draw extra attention to you."

"I know what Foundlings are capable of. You would be an asset to our escape."

"How do I know I can trust you? That this isn't some trick the prince has put you up to?"

Zeer chuckled. "You're a paranoid one, not that I blame you. The truth is, you have to trust me or you'll never have another chance to escape here. I might also feel a little bad for you. Everyone hating you can't be an easy thing to have on your shoulders."

He's right, I have to take a chance. He's been kind to me so far. He sighed. "I hope you're being genuine. What do you need my help with? And how many in here know about this plan?"

Zeer smiled and leaned in close. "Every man in Building 49 is in on it but keep your voice low for guards passing by outside. As for what I need, the guards will come get us soon for our labor duties like they will for every building. I want you to stage a fight with Reed, who's agreed to help today. While you two draw everyone's attention, I'll sneak into the nearby guard tent with the prince's banner out front. It'll stand out against all the wooden buildings, you'll see. Make sure to stage your fight in front of the tent, otherwise, the guards standing there won't move away for me. The closer the fight is to them, the better. The tent has a pair of keys that unlock the wheel to open the front gate. We'll need those keys if we want to escape since there's only one entrance and one exit to this camp–"

Ansel finished for him, "And you need me in the fight since I'm a Foundling and the guards will make sure I'm not harmed. Otherwise, Prince Dayne will have their necks." That's a decent plan. Other than the part where I have to risk getting hit again.

Zeer nodded. "That's the plan. Are you in?"

He paused. Could he trust this man? Did he have a choice? This was his best bet to get out of the prison camp. "Yea I'm in. Don't make me regret trusting you, Zeer."

Zeer reached over and put a hand on his shoulder."You won't." He peered toward a group of men and shouted, "Reed, come here."

A young man in his twenties with ginger hair separated from the group and strode over to them. "Yes, Zeer?"

Zeer gestured toward him. "This is Ansel. He's going to help with the plan today."

Ansel stood up and extended his hand. "I look forward to–"

Reed scoffed and jerked his hand away. "We're trusting the Foundling?"

Anger boiled inside Ansel. "What did you–"

Zeer stepped between, his back to Ansel. "Regardless of what you believe Reed, you will work with him today. We need the fact that he's a Foundling to our advantage. Do you understand?"

Reed's jaw clenched but he nodded. "Alright Foundling. I'll work with you, but only because Zeer says to."

Ansel clenched his jaw and then relaxed it. "Fine with me."

Reed walked off toward the other men. Zeer sighed before turning to Ansel. "Some of the men believe you killed the queen. I won't be able to convince everyone. Just try and ignore their remarks and stick to the plan."

Ansel sighed. "I know you can't. I'm used to it by now anyways."

Zeer clapped him on the back. "Cheer up. Soon we'll be out of here and you won't have to deal with the prince anymore."

"I hope so. One last thing, how do you plan on using this key with the camp so heavily guarded?"

"I have a plan, don't worry. Just stick to the plan today and if it succeeds, we can talk about tomorrow."

He frowned at Zeer but let it slide. For now. "What will you do if we get out of here?"

A strange light filled Zeer's eyes. "I need to find a way back to Reven. I have unfinished business there. But first, I have to fulfill a promise I made here in the New Lands."

Promise? "I also need to find a way back to Reven. I need to clear mine and the Foundling's name."

Zeer smiled at him. "Maybe we can help each other more than just escaping then."

Ansel considered the idea. "What's the promise you have to keep? What's more important than getting back to Reven?"

"I can't share that with you yet. Not until we escape. I can't have you sharing any information with the prince, even if it's pulled out of you."

He grimaced at the thought but understood the precaution.

Before he could reply, a guard strode into the room and raised his voice, "Prisoners, it's time. Gather outside. Now." He turned and walked back out.

"Stick close." Zeer walked toward the entrance and Ansel followed.

Outside, the other men in Building 49 formed a rectangular formation in front of the Crimson Guard. Ansel slid into the group next to Zeer and Reed. Reed frowned at him, but he ignored the look. He didn't need to be best friends with the guy to make the plan work.

The guard led them toward the southwestern corner of the muddy camp. They passed row after row of wooden buildings while they walked along. The mud beneath his feet squelched with each step. The humid heat soaked into his clothes while he followed along. He pushed up onto his toes to see over the group of men in front of him. A short distance from them was a group of ten carts full of brown sacks in the back.

He looked at Zeer. "What are we doing here?"

Zeer pointed in the direction of the carts. "See those carts? We have to unload those sacks into that storeroom." He pointed toward a wooden building twice the size of Building 49 and whispered, "They'll keep pulling in carts from today's Harvest so it'll be more than just those ten carts. Other Buildings will come here today after we're done and unload more carts. They won't know which Building stole the key. That's how we'll hide that ours took it."

Zeer secretly gestured to the tent a few spans to the right of the wooden storeroom. A crimson tent stood behind two Crimson Guards who stood at the ready. The sigil for Reven - a sun rising over a crooked mountain - was imprinted on a banner that danced in the soft breeze. The entrance to the tent was wide open save the guards. "That's the tent. You know what to do when the time comes."

He looked at Zeer. "Why do they keep the entrance open if it holds the keys?"

"They don't think any prisoners know the keys are in there."

"How do you know they are?"

Zeer winked at him. "I have my ways."

Ansel huffed at that.

Reed put his hand on his shoulder, clenching hard."You and I will start our fight before we unload the first sack. That way Zeer will have time to get into position. Understand?"

He pulled his shoulder away and narrowed his eyes at the gap-toothed man. "Yeah, I do. Don't grab me like that again."

Reed chuckled and turned his head away.

What is up with that guy?

Zeer leaned in. "See you two in a few. Don't mess this up or we'll all die." He strode off a good distance from them.

The guard had gathered ten other Crimson Guards on their walk to the southwestern corner of the camp. They all spread out around the area, each covering a different angle. Ansel peered around at each of them and marked their line of sight. This is going to be difficult.

A man from Building 49 hopped up onto the back of the first wagon and handed out brown sacks to the others. The other prisoners grabbed the stacks and walked in a line toward the wooden storeroom. A Crimson Guard stood nearby with a whip and occasionally cracked it with a flick of his wrist.

Reed looked back at him and whispered, "Stick close Foundling." Ansel nodded and moved up close behind. Reed grabbed the sack that was handed to him and walked off after the others. The man in the back of the cart tilted his head toward Ansel and glanced at the nearby Crimson Guards. His eyes were trying to tell him something. Ansel glanced at the guards and noticed them all watching him. He grabbed the sack and nodded to the man.

The line of men wasn't far, some of them were already walking back toward the cart for their second sack. He moved toward the line and got behind Reed. A sweet scent drifted up from the bag, making him curious. He peered into the sack. Inside, a blob of green wax filled the whole sack. He raised his eyebrows. What is this stuff? Why are the guards collecting it? The wooden building wasn't far off now. He scanned around for Zeer, noticing the man not far off behind them. He tilted his head at Ansel and winked, a small smile playing on his lips.

Ahead of him, Reed's whispered voice said, "Now."

Reed raised his voice to a shout, "Stop trying to convince me you didn't kill the queen. I know in my heart that you did, you're a traitor." He dropped the sack and shoved Ansel to the ground, causing him to drop his sack too. The green wax oozed out onto the muddy ground.

"For the last time, I didn't do it." He scrambled to his feet. Men from Building 49 were crowding in around them, creating a tight circle. He kept backing up in the direction of the tent entrance. Reed and the other prisoners moved with him.

"What's going on in there?" yelled a Crimson Guard, cracking his whip, trying to get through the packed circle. The men ignored the guards. Reed gestured for Ansel to come at him, a wicked smile showing the gap between his teeth. Ansel scanned around to see Zeer but he was nowhere in sight. He looked toward the tent entrance. They had the attention of the guards standing there.

"You won't convince me of anything Foundling. Now show me what you're made of." Reed launched at him, hands aimed at his throat. Ansel side-stepped the grab. Reed stumbled forward into the ring of men. They shoved him back toward the center of the circle.

Ansel put his hands up and beckoned toward himself, taunting Reed. "That's all you can do?"

Their fight circle was now right in front of the entrance of the tent. The guards were trying to push their way into the circle but the other prisoners made a tight ring. They were chanting "Reed, Reed, Reed."

Reed roared and sprinted at Ansel. He arced a wide punch with his right fist. Ansel used his left arm to throw off the inside of the punch and rammed his right fist up into the man's jaw. Reed went sprawling onto his back and landed in the mud. The prisoners went quiet for a moment, then their voices lifted into a cheer. Ansel wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Reed is really making this believable.

Reed jumped to his feet. His eyes were alight with fury. He readied himself to charge again but the two guards from the tent entrance whipped a bunch of prisoners, forcing them to open the circle. Ten guards rushed into the middle, putting themselves between Reed and Ansel.

One guard grabbed the back of Ansel's shirt and wrung him. "What is the meaning of this?"

Another guard grabbed Reed and raised his whip to strike him. "You will pay for trying to hurt the Foundling."

"Wait," Ansel said. The guard paused in the act. "I'm fine, he didn't get a hit on me."

The guard looked back at Reed, who shrugged sheepishly and shoved him to the ground. "Don't touch the Foundling again. Celibrik told you the repercussions of doing so. You put a scratch on him and it's all our heads. Now get back to work." The other prisoners moved back to the carts and started offloading them again. The guards walked back to their positions.

Zeer appeared out of nowhere behind Ansel. "Good work kid." He walked in the direction of the carts, and Ansel followed close behind. Reed had the good sense to stay far from them or risk having the guards notice their fight being fake.

He carried another sack behind Zeer. "Tell me you got it."

Zeer glanced back over his shoulder. "I did. Keep quiet. We'll talk later."

He stopped asking questions and followed the rest of the men in unloading the carts. A few hours later, they were led back to Building 49. The sun descended over the horizon, bringing a coolness that always came with the night. Once inside, he went to the bed next to Zeer's. The man that had been sleeping there had moved across the room, giving Ansel the bed. Zeer lifted the planks where he hid the food earlier and stored the key away1.

Zeer sat on his bed and looked at him. "They're going to notice that's gone sooner or later. The plan to escape is happening soon. Stick close to me at the Harvest tomorrow."

"What is the Harvest?"

"You'll see. Now get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day." The man laid back in his bed.

He did the same, but thoughts kept racing through his head. Zeer is trusting of the other men in this Building, but can I be? My fate is in his hands for now. Not a comforting feeling. He rolled over and closed his eyes.