FIVE DAYS LATER…

Ani and Delphine huddled together. It was a windy, cloudy day and their rags of clothes offered no protection from the elements. Verdi ran up to them. After three weeks in Endovier, he was finally starting to adopt the sickly look that everyone had.

"Dorgan," he said fearfully. The prisoners closest to him cast frightened glances and then shuffled away.

"No," Delphine moaned. Ani sniffled and buried her face in Delphine's hair. The three stood by a tunnel entrance, trying to block themselves from the wind. Three days earlier, a group of screaming, thrashing prisoners had set off for the new camp. Ani had made sure to watch them leave to make sure her reaction was accurate. Of course, the very idea of leaving was as nerve-wracking as going to a death camp, but in different ways.

After a few minutes, a gaunt young man and his female companion, a woman going prematurely grey, joined them.

"Dorgan?" the man asked, looking fearful, but not as scared as a true transfer would have been. Verdi nodded quickly and then turned away. The group of five stood for a moment before the man spoke again. "I heard Roche – the man taking us is a member of the rebellion. He works for the rebels."

"Really," Ani answered, trying not to show too much interest. The man nodded eagerly.

"We want to join," he whispered with a jerk of his head towards his companion. The woman smiled shyly, revealing sweet dimples that made her look years younger. "I'm Justice, and this is Charlotte."

"How do you do," the woman murmured. Her eyes darted to the crowd. "He's coming!" Her voice sounded excited, almost childish. Delphine followed her gaze and quickly spotted Rochester's shaved blonde head. He looked nervous and walked with his head down.

Finally he reached them. "There should be eight!" His face was frantic with worry.

"Cliff died last night," Justice said quietly. "Whipped to death." Charlotte shuddered and hugged herself. Justice gently took her hand and squeezed it.

Rochester bounced on his feet. "I'm sorry… But where are the other two? Do you know a Tomas and a Kaye?" They all shook their heads. The camp was so large, it was not surprising, but the news seemed to agitate Rochester.

"What's wrong?" Delphine finally asked, sidling closer to the guard.

"I've heard rumors… They know there's a fake group going to Dorgan, but they weren't sure if it was the last group or not." Rochester suddenly turned angry. "You better put on the best performances of your lives! If you aren't convincing, we could all lose our heads!" Delphine jumped at his outburst and retreated to her sister's side. Rochester's face was a purple-red and a vein throbbed on his forehead.

"Don't worry," Verdi said confidently. "We can all put on a mighty good show." Rochester turned to Verdi, first looking angry, and then let out a nervous laugh.

Rochester surveyed the crowd. "Good, good… Let's go." They walked into the crowd towards an old, rickety caravan pulled by two snorting horses. He swiftly opened the back doors. "Now! Scream like you're dying!"

"No!" Charlotte wailed. Tears were already streaming down her face. She rattled her chains and screamed. "Please!" Ani and Delphine joined in, screeching and pulling away from the caravan.

Verdi shook his hands, prying at the manacles with his nails. "I'm innocent! Not Dorgan!" His deep voice seemed to echo. Justice's hands were in his hair, pulling out strands as he screamed.

The group kept up the racket as one by one, Rochester shoved them into the caravan. Ani tried to get away; she leapt out and pulled against her chains as she pretended to escape. Rochester roared and dragged her back as she scream again and again.

Finally, they were all in the back. Rochester slammed the doors shut and walked to the front.

Then they heard a foreign voice.

"Rochester? Where is this caravan going?" The voice sounded higher-class, authoritative and confident.

Rochester, on the other hand, sounded nervous. " Lord Andreas! What a surprise, my Lord. We are going to Dorgan. There are five prisoners…" stopped himself from babbling. He cleared his throat and there was a clink as his armor shifted. Delphine felt a jolt of fear. Lord Andreas was the owner of the Endovier salt mine and the local lord of the town. While he was not a particularly influential member of the royal courts, he held enough sway in the mines. The Lord was well known for being ruthless to just about anyone.

"My good man Rochester… We've had news. Bad news." The Lord spoke gravely. "Inmates going to Dorgan under false pretenses…. We can't have that, can we?" Silence. Perhaps Rochester was shaking his head, or shaking in fear. "Now, Rochester, tell your Lord the truth. Is this caravan truly going to Dorgan?"

A pause, and then, "Yes, my gracious Lord."

Another pause. "Seize him! This man lies!" Rochester yelped and feet pounded around the caravan. Ani and Delphine clutched each other. Was someone going to be killed?

"These prisoners will be punished enough when they get to Dorgan," the Lord chuckled as Rochester screamed. "Execute him! Here! Now! Let us set an example for those who wish to help the Rebellion!" The Lord sounded scornful. Verdi sneaked forward and peered through a crack in the wall. Two large soldiers held Rochester. They were heading for the guillotine stationed in the center of camp.

"No, please!" Rochester cried. "I can tell you whatever you want to know about the Rebellion! No!" Lord Andreas laughed.

"I don't want my information from a sniveling traitor," the Lord said pretentiously. Rochester was forced to his knees in front of the guillotine. "I want to force the words out of a true Rebel." A soldier kicked Rochester in the back, making him bend over. His head was aligned and a basket was fetched to catch his head after he was decapitated.

Rochester wailed and screamed and cried. In the end, none of this helped him. There was a telltale thump, a collective gasp, and they knew it was over. The five in the caravan grouped together. The doors suddenly opened and an elderly yet still handsome man smiled at them.

"Hello, my little criminals," he said in a friendly manner. "You are going to Dorgan to die. You cannot escape. Be glad you aren't dying now. Enjoy your last few days of life!" A tanned soldier stepped in and checked their manacles and chains.

"They're locked up, my Lord," the soldier called. Lord Andreas smiled and stepped back to let the soldier out. He gave them one last look and banged the doors shut.

Within minutes, the caravan started to move. As two days before, they were headed for Dorgan.