The Sharpest Pain

Conspirators on the run have an unexpected revelation

The man lifted his head from the ground and looked at his three companions. "Riders. From the sound of it, they've reached the stone bridge; they're not far behind."

They all looked back to him for a decision. He looked the river below and the rock escarpment to their right.

"Into the rocks."

They looked at him silently for a moment. "Bergo, Olfar's leg— "

Olfar growled, "Go. No sense all of us getting taken back to the city just because I broke me ankle."

"It's not broken; we're not leaving you."

"Bergo, ya pup! It's— "

"We're not leaving you!" Bergo's curt tone brought the other man up short. "Now, everyone start climbing. Kerol, you're first, ears open for the sound of horses. I'll take rear, just behind Olfar."

The rock was full of shale and gravel, and footing was difficult. They worked their way around to the back of the small cliff so they wouldn't be seen from the road. Olfar limped and pulled his bulk slowly upward. As they summitted, they found a flat place surrounded by shards of stone, like natural battlements.

Olfar collapsed on the ground, moaning in pain. Bergo chuckled, "Maybe it's broken after all, Olfar. There's very little in this life as sharp as a broken bone."

He suddenly whistled shrilly, and two dozen guardsmen from the city appeared from behind the rocks. "I've brought them all, as agreed!"

Before anyone could react, the three would-be revolutionaries were trussed and sitting back to back in the center of the plateau. They all glared at Bergo as he accepted a jingling money pouch.

"Four men to change the world? Did you truly believe it?" He looked at Olfar and winked. "Oh— and the only thing sharper than a broken bone...? Is a broken promise."

NOTES: ▶︎

Word Count: 300
Submitted for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt: Use the words bridge, rock, ears