Well I imagine most people have a slightly different view of Teren after  the last chapter ;-). Let's see how hearing from his POV might give some context to his actions. Teren returns to the party...

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Teren

Teren walked with a bit more bounce in his step as he returned to the festivities. In spite of the less savory events in the prison, the night had turned out better that he could possibly have hoped since receiving his disturbing summons, and his spirits were nearly fully restored.

 As he opened the doors of the great hall and rejoined his guests Teren felt everyone's gaze fall upon him. He saw Dresden Rearder from the corner of his eye and gave him a nod and a closed mouth, but genuine smile. Teren took immense pleasure watching as the man's haughty expression faltered.

"My lord husband, there you are."

Teren turned towards the sound of his wife's voice.

"I had wondered where you might have gone."

"Forgive me, Carlotta," he said as he walked to her. "I was called away on some businesses briefly, but now I am returned, and truly in a festive mood." Teren reached out and took his wife's hand, spinning her round, and catching her in his arms. Carlotta giggled bashfully.

"My lord," she said, a lovely blush rising to her cheeks. "Please, we have guests."

"This is a celebration," he said with a smile, before placing a quick kiss on her lips. "We must celebrate."

Someone cleared their throat and then the room went silent. As he looked up Teren was amazed to see Henry Bastario himself standing in front of him. Releasing his wife, Teren immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "Your Majesty," he said, "we were not expecting your presence at our humble gathering. Forgive me for not being here to greet your arrival properly."

"Rise, Commissioner," The King answered. "No need to bow before me so. We are friends are we not?"

Teren smiled, taking the hand the Henry offered in a firm grasp as he rose. To hear the King proclaim their friendship in the site of all these guest was truly a boon to his standing. "Allow me to express my thanks for the great honor you do me in gracing our home with your presence, Majesty."

Henry nodded. "I did not wish to miss what I heard your beautiful wife had made into the party of the season," the King replied, taking Carlotta's hand and kissing it lightly. "I am glad to say I have not been disappointed." Carlota blushed again, her cheeks a perfect rosy hue as she bowed her head. 

Henry smiled at her before turning to wave his hand towards the musicians. "Let the celebration continue!" he said. The players struck up again as everyone applauded and rejoined the party.

Henry gestured towards Teren with his finger.

"Come," he said, "walk with me."

Teren followed the King toward a corner of the hall overlooking the dance floor.

"Henry, I must thank you again for your presence. I had never dreamed you yourself might attend this evening's festivities," Teren said. "My family and I are already so much in your debt."

"You are most welcome, Teren. Your station is truly quite improved is it not?"

"Indeed, I never dreamed of such status, Majesty," Teren agreed. "Nor can I even begin to express the gratitude I feel for all the blessings you have bestowed on myself and my family.

"I only seek to repay my debt and see a true friend rise high. Did I not promise I would ensure you were rewarded for your faithful service?"

"As always, you are a man of your word."

Henry smiled. "I must say your wife is lovely," he remarked. "No wonder you missed her so during our time at battle. And she is quite the gracious hostess."

"I am truly a lucky man," Teren agreed. "I could never have asked for a more beautiful, faithful, and clever companion. The home Carlotta has established for our family fills me with joy, and the party tonight was entirely her doing."

 With their talk, Teren felt the earlier events of the evening fading away from his mind as he an Henry fell into comfortable discourse like that they had shared during their service together.

"It is impressive," Henry said. "The celebration here this evening rivals one I might arrange at my own home. Of course, any celebration in these halls is welcome. The former prison commissioner and lord of this holding was never one for parties. Quite a boring man. But then, so many my father employed were the same. I myself love to be entertained."

Teren felt a hint of unease creeping back into his conscious at the later part of the King's statement. It was not a pleasant thing to think on the fate of the man who formerly held his office.

"I must admit however that I am surprised to see you in such good spirits, my friend," Henry continued, suddenly looking  Teren over in a manner that made him highly uncomfortable. He knew immediately that Henry must have already spoken with the High Chancellor. Perhaps there would be no avoiding discussion of the reason for his disappearance as he'd fleetingly hoped, but for the moment he chose to feign ignorance.

"Sire?" Teren countered, affecting as much confusion in his tone as possible.

"When I arrived I was informed you had been called away on urgent business. That something was amiss in the prisons."

In his mind, Teren cursed Dresden Rearder. If there was any question before, it had now been erased. Though he could not imagine what he might have done to offend the man, it was clear that he was actively seeking to do Teren harm. The idea sent a cold squirming sensation along the surface of his skin. The Chancellor was the last enemy he'd wished to acquire. Those marked by Dresden Rearder had an unfortunate habit of finding bad ends. Still, at least for the moment, Teren was able to maintain Henry's gaze with confidence.

"You were thankfully misinformed, Majesty," he replied. "I was indeed called away to handle some business in Portenborough this evening, but I assure you that nothing is amiss. Quite the contrary. You mentioned your love of entertainment? We have, tonight, apprehended and sentenced a member of Harrison's rebellion. The preparations are already underway for the execution."

The King's mouth curved into a guarded smile. "That is indeed good news. You are certain of the prisoner's connections to the Vox Populi?" 

Teren nodded. "She bares the mark on her left arm," he said. "I examined it myself. Moreover, she made no denial to her guilt. I sentenced her accordingly."

Henry patted him on the back, "No wonder your mood is so jolly. I have been quite concerned of late with the sudden disappearance of Harrison and his men. I fear greatly they are planning some new horror to inflict upon our great Empire and wish that we might stop them before they have the chance to bring any plot to fruition."

"Of that, I am well aware," Teren answered. "Thus when I received the news of the rebel's capture I felt it necessary to handle the situation as swiftly as possible." There was no need to tell the King the girl had been arrested on his own property, Teren reasoned, nor that she had been hired onto his staff without his knowledge.

Henry smiled. "You are truly dedicated to your job," he replied. "I'm am glad to have put my trust in a man of such diligence. Did she provide any useful information that might aid in our fight against Harrison?"

"Unfortunately she was quite stubborn," Teren answered, "No more than a low-level spy much like we encountered in the northernlands among the townspeople. It seems Harrison continues to engage in such sickening tactics as he did then, employing seemingly innocent civilians to catch us unawares. I lament that any are still swayed by his organization's false promises and lured into service for the rebellion. It is an unpleasant thing to force answers from a young girl when I know the true villain is Harrison himself."

Henry sighed. "It is truly horrifying that the man might use such victims and taint their minds until they too become vicious traitors."

"Indeed, Sire," Teren agreed. He knew Henry felt much as he did in his reluctance to take action against women and children, but they had learned well from their battles against the Vox Populi that such compassion was misplaced. A child could hold a knife just as easily as a man, and compassion had led more than one of his men to their graves. Mercy for insurgents was unacceptable. They could only seek to end Harrison's rebellion as soon as possible to prevent more such victims finding their end in misguided service to the Vox Populi. "Her presence in the Capital proves we yet have work to do in flushing of the remainder of the rebellion from Auresir."

"Unfortunately it does," Henry answered with a frown. "As if the betrayal of so many of my own court was not enough. Still, I have faith that with your dedication and skill, we will soon prevail against those who stand against us."

Teren bowed his head. "I am grateful for your faith, Majesty. I will do everything within my power to ensure that it is not misplaced." He hesitated for a moment. "I can report the girl did provide us with some useful leads before her incapacitation." Teren continued. A half truth perhaps, but he decided not to tell Henry about the boy directly until such a time when he could guarantee the fruitfulness of sparing his life. But the girl had indeed led him to the new resource he had found in Seleb Hill. Teren could only hope Hill would be successful in infiltrating the rebel forces and returning with useful intelligence.

"Excellent," Henry said, clapping a hand on his back. "Then we are already closer to our goals than we were before. This calls for a true celebration."

Arm around Teren, the King walked him to the banquet table lifting a glass and tapping a knife against its side to command the room's attention. The musician's song dimmed to silence and hush quickly fell over the guests as all turned their attention to their Sovereign.

"My friends," Henry began. "I have just received wonderful news from our recently appointed High Prison Commissioner I wish you all to hear. It seems that this very evening, Lord Mather has managed to capture and interrogated a member of the insidious rebel group who defiantly call themselves the Vox Populi.

"I know we have all been concerned for the safety of our citizens from these denizens of terror, but I have faith that Commissioner General Mather will continue to ferret these heathens from our midst. We shall soon have the good fortune to publicly rid ourselves of one such villain. I do pray that all here will be in attendance at the execution. We must show the people of Erestia that its leadership stands united and will not be cowed down by fear of terrorist reprisal. That we shall make certain that any who would threaten this great Empire will be punished!"

Henry's voice was powerful, resonating with the inspiring force and energy that had roused his troops from despair so many times on the field of battle. The room exploded with applause. From across the room Teren saw a look of frustration cross the High Chancellor's before the man affected a forced smile and joined in the celebratory cheers. Teren smiled. He would not be such easy pray for the likes of Dresden Rearder. Even the happiness he felt at such recognition from the King couldn't quite compare with the sense of satisfaction he felt in that moment watching Lord Rearder's pained expression. 

So there you have it, the last chapter in this Teren subplot. He will be playing a major role going forward in the story. Thoughts on him overall? Next chapter will bring us back to Fiona.