Man of Words

...And then he uttered words so strange, so alien, that they paused mid-jackbooted-stride: "I will not comply!"

"I will not comply!"

Recognition failed them; words mean nothing to men with guns. But men without words still know defiance and defiance is something they must quash. Men of Action, men of Conviction, because conviction is the strongest power in all the world.

They advanced upon him. Men of Action met Man of Words in the sweet poetry of battle, the many against the one who was convicted in the courts of fire and lead. They expected a slaughter. Surely that is all that is possible? But in truth, it was not conviction that fueled the might of the many. Not that unwavering certainty that holds men of action to their violent course. No. So in this moment, of his own free will, the Man of Words acted; finally, and the Men of Action began to fall to a Man of Death. Indeed there is one thing more powerful than Conviction.

Just one thing: Mercy. And, they had seen the last of it.