Honorable Warden (XXX)

Respected Sir,

I would plead that you bring an end to the beating of we poor prisoners. We are within your mercy, and have no power but that which you grant us. The few who damaged the books we copy for you have sought to apologize, or have been pushed to extremes. They hearts harden when they see pain heaped upon their fellows. Please, show mercy as their hearts may only be softened with kindness, not with blows.

Victory is already yours esteemed Sir. You have mastery over our every minute. To seek to increase this control leaves nothing but weeds behind. As a wise leader you already know that peace is better than conflict. Fighting only brings resistance and losses in strength, doubly so for a warden. Your opponents are also your laborers, and each injury hurts all.

Our respectable labor has now been delayed some days. We humble prisoners seek to learn more of The Way that has helped us so much. As the understanding grows in each one of us, we increase the knowledge of all those around us. We are faster in copying the books than when we began, and hope that we may go back to copying soon.

Through violent beatings our bodies bruise and break, however, two edged swords cut both ways. By causing pain to a fellow human your guards bruise their spirits at the same time. They are always slow to retrieve their clubs now, and the pain is clear in their eyes. We happy few do not resist, as that is not The Way. If not for our humble plea, then for your guards pain, please stop. We know that we are but prisoners, but we are men.


Each day that peace is disturbed strengthens the support of those on the extremes. Please prevent them from growing any stronger.

- V