The first prisoner's desperate cry shattered whatever resolve remained among the others.
"I submit!"
His forehead remained pressed firmly against the cracked stone while his entire body trembled uncontrollably. For a heartbeat, nobody else moved. Then another prisoner suddenly threw away the sharpened rib he had been clutching.
The crude weapon clattered against the stone before sliding down the slope of the mound.
"I submit too!"
He dropped onto both knees so quickly that one of them struck a protruding bone, splitting the skin open. Even the fresh pain failed to draw his attention. His forehead immediately touched the ground.
One after another, the remaining prisoners followed.
"I submit!"
"Please spare me!"
"I surrender!"
"I'll obey!"
