Jasper:
I hate him! I hate him! After that little heathen's escape, I was so angry I was going to burst. I paced through the room, the only sound being the loud clash of my shoes against the hard floors. How dare he make fun of my hospitality and violate my property? Who did he think he was? Royalty?

"Sir!" From across the room, the petite figure of Thomas appeared, clearly out of breath. "I-I caught sight of him! He's back home on top of Shire hill."

"Shire hill, huh." I considered it for a second. The only place I knew of one Shire hill was a dump. Small and rickety, it was near falling down! "Wow, he really is peasant scum, huh?"

Thomas gave a small nod, clearly proud of his handy work. He had run all the way after Julian and back in within a few hours. Many miles for such a small man. "You know what, Thomas?"

"What, my Lord?"

"I don't care where the hell he is. He can rot for all I care." How I had ever cared about such a pig was beyond me. And as I retired that night, a small voice whispered into the back of my mind. He isn't a pig, he's just not a pushover like you.

Julian:
"Mama! Papa!" I quickly pushed the creaking door in and looked around, ecstatic to see them.

"Julian!" A sweet voice called from the back room of the one bedroom home. "My dear, you're alive!"

Every day my poor mother had to worry that her only son would die out there. On top of working near the borders of the palace tending the castle's crops, I also stole. My meager job mixed with my father's was usually enough to feed us but on slow days for the farm workers, it wasn't enough. The castle was in charge of our pay. If Jasper so pleased, he could instantly cut my pay and still require me to work.
A sudden knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts. My mother scuttled over to open it for our visitor, not realizing how I froze up. "Mama..." I started, but by the time the words were out, the door was already open revealing a small man dressed in servant attire. His beady eyes scanned my house politely and he made eye contact with me. "May I come in?"

My mother grinned and stepped aside, "Of course, dear."

The man walked straight to me and managed a small smile. "Hello, Julian."

I gave a tiny nod. "I am very sorry but I seemed to have forgotten your name." I wasn't sorry but this man had done nothing to me yet.

"It's Thomas."

"No last name?" I quizzed.

He chuckled lightly. "My king had me drop it."

"Drop it?" Now I was interested.

"Yes. When King Jasper takes in new servants out of the goodness of his heart-"

I couldn't help but interrupt his worship. "You mean out of malice and the need to torture."

At my very surprise, that earned a small smirk from Thomas but it disappeared just as soon as it had come and he continued. "He had them drop his name in order to-"

"Rid then of their humanity."

Thomas was silent for a minute before he gave me a simple nod. "Yes."

"You know, Thomas. You're not too bad."

"Thank you, sir." He bowed, his long blonde hair touching the dirt.

I lightly touched his back, "I'm Julian."

He rose with a large smile stretched across his mouth. "Thank you... Julian."

"Still, whatever you're trying to sell, Thomas, I'm not buying it."

Thomas gave a smile and nodded to me. "I would expect nothing less. Thank you for allowing me the chance to talk to someone."

That caught me off guard. "Someone to talk to?"

"Yes, he keeps me quarantined."

"Quarantined?"

"Yes, but that's another story." His smile was very visible. "I hope that we see each other again, Julian."
And surprisingly enough I spoke back, "I do too, Thomas."

-Three years later-

Jasper:
"Shut up, you worthless pig." I screamed at the prisoner before me who had just had the audacity to ask for food from me. From his king, his world!

"I am so sorry my lord." The man scooted forward to kiss my feet and I kicked him in the face as soon as his filthy lips touched my leather shoes. He went flying backward, blood sprouting from his nose.

"The new recruits are here, my king!" A loud voice boomed throughout the large room. Thomas stood there, his normally trembling legs were still and a large smile was plastered onto his face.

I lazily made my way across the room and stopped before him. "Why so happy, Thomas?"

"No reason, sir."

I gripped his long mangy hair. "I hate liars."

"Yes, my lord."

I was exasperated, "then don't lie."

"I am not, I assure you."

"I am sure." I released his with distaste and turned towards the open door. "Where are they."

"Over here, my king."

The line of young males was alarming. We needed this many recruits but seeing them all in person was a shock.

"And all are fit for war?" I turned to him suspiciously.

"Yes."

"I guess I shall take a look then."

I strolled down the line, of peasant teenagers and young adults, not one making eye contact with me as I scanned them, watching for any sign of rebellion. Every one of them seemed docile and very scared so I was startled when one of them stared right into my eyes.

Those eyes, I recognized those eyes.

Julian.

Julian was here and at my call and beckon.

Oh, this should be fun!