Frenwick has fallen. Lets see what the other side has to say about that...As both chapters I had within this scene were short I have decided to combine them into one chapter from two different povs. 

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Teren

When Teren gained admission to the royal study, the High Chancellor was already there, seated across from the King. Neither rose as he walked into the room, but as Teren bowed before him, Henry gave him a small smile.

"Commissioner General," the King said with a nod of acknowledgement. "Thank you for coming. The Chancellor and I were just discussing your report."

Teren nodded standing straight and tall, attempting to ignore the cold stare he felt emanating from Dresden Rearder. Though he had tried to follow Henry's advice and maintain cordiality with the High Chancellor, Teren was still quite certain that the man was not his friend.

"Please, sit down," Henry said, gesturing to the yet unfilled chair beside the Chancellor.

Teren again bowed slightly before approaching and taking his seat. He watched as the King looked to the documents piled put on his desk and picked up a piece of paper with a script Teren recognized as his own.

"It seems from these documents, " he said, gesturing towards his desk, "that we have a problem."

"Not a problem Sire," Teren answered. "An opportunity." He could feel the glare of Dresden Rearder intensify slightly.

"An opportunity?" The High Chancellor replied, not bothering to mask his contempt. "The report you have given speaks of an eminent threat to the King's life. Is that an opportunity you are glad for? One where your Sovereign is threatened by rebel troops?"

By God the man was hostile, Teren thought to himself. Though Lord Rearder's tone remained calm, he was practically accusing him of treason in front of the King himself. As Teren met his gaze he was struck by a loathing he did not believe he had ever felt so strongly towards any other man. He was grateful when he heard Henry laughing softly in response to Rearder's words.

"Peace Dresden," the King said before turning back to Teren. "I'm certain Lord Mather means to explain his assessment of the situation."

"Thank you Majesty," Teren replied with a nod. "As you have read, I have come to learn that the Vox Populi have become aware of the unannounced assembly scheduled in two weeks."

"And how have they done that?" Rearder asked cutting him off, his voice disgustingly smug. Teren faced the man, attempting to control his frustration. 

"I cannot say I know the answer to your question my Lord. Though I have worked tirelessly to do so, it has unfortunately been quite difficult to discern the source of the rebel's information within the Royal City."

"Then it seems you continue to fail at a crucial task. Your report is evidence of that."

Teren resisted the urge to cast a vicious glare upon the High Chancellor. "For that I am sorry and make no excuses my Lords," he said, answering Reader's accusation as calmly as possible. "The assembly is not entirely secret and I can only do so much to ensure members of parliament do not speak of such meetings publicly. In truth, any from the Royal City might have passed along the information. Still, I believe I have found a means by which to solve the problem of the Vox Populi once and for all. That is what I had hoped you might see in my reports."

"Than perhaps I am blind," the Rearder replied. "All I see in these papers is clear evidence of your ineptitude in stopping the Vox Populi from gaining ears within the walls of the palace."

Teren felt the warmth of anger creeping through his body but he was determined not to let the High Chancellor best him in front of the King. Seleb's success in gaining access to Harrison's inner circle was a true accomplishment in their fight against the rebellion. The source of Harrison's information within the Capital would be irrelevant if the man was dead.

"You may not be blind Chancellor," Teren answered. "But you have indeed missed the essence of my report if you see it as containing only bad news. In gaining an informant within Harrison's inner circle I have learned not only of their planned attack within the city, but of Harrison's intention to participate himself."

"And?" Rearder asked.

"Surely you are aware, High Chancellor, of Alexander Harrison's famed ability to keep himself from our reach. Since the rebel's defeat in Murdale, the man has been exceedingly cautious. Though my informant has traveled within the rebel circles for months, the name Harrison has never even been spoken. But now, he has seen the man himself and has been privy to the specific plans Harrison is forming to make an attempt on the King's life.

"And you see this as a chance to take the rebel leader down." Henry said.

Teren nodded, "I do Sire," he answered, grateful that the King seemed to have already grasped the significance of his words. "The Vox Populi believes that in attacking the assembly of The House of Lords, they will catch us off guard. Even among those who are aware of the gathering, is not common knowledge that you had planed to attend the meeting Majesty and thus Harrison presumes we will be entirely unprepared for his sudden attack. In his false sense of security, we will have the advantage.

The rebel leader is entirely unaware of my informant. When the Vox Populi's plans are solidified, my man will be able to tell us exactly when and where the rebel leader intends to attack. Alexander Harrison will come out of the shadows and we will be waiting to take him down." Teren saw the hint of a smile begin to form on the King's lips.

"That is a pleasing prospect," Henry said. "I am impressed that you managed to gain an informant who might have access to such proprietary information."

"Indeed it is impressive," The High Chancellor agreed. "But how do we know that this man is trustworthy? You are essentially asking his Majesty to knowingly put himself forth as bait to lure Alexander Harrison out of hiding."

Teren felt a slightly uncomfortable churning in his stomach at the question. He trusted Seleb Hill. In spite of the circumstances surrounding their initial acquaintance, he'd even grown to hold a certain affection for the boy. Teren had always been a good judge of character and it had been clear to him from the start that Seleb was an unwilling accomplice to the girl he was found with. That was the reason he'd spared his life in the first place after all. 

 The boy had indeed acted as a truly loyal servant to the Empire thus far, providing credible information as best he could. Though Seleb's intelligence had not yet lead to any significant headway in taking down the Vox Populi's leader as Teren had hoped it might , he was certain that him informant's new leads were in fact the key to catching Harrison unawares. Under the watchful eyes of Rearder and the King however Teren felt his confidence falter slightly.

As much as he hated to admit it, the High Chancellor was not wrong to judge that there was much risk involved in his planed course of action. But Teren knew Henry. They had fought side by side. He was certain the King would not shy away from the dangers in light of the great opportunity his plan would present. After the Vox Populi's vicious attack on Frenwick, Teren was all the more determined to end the rash of terror Harrison and his group had inflicted on the Empire for so long. This was their chance.

"I assure you Chancellor, I would never allow his Majesty to be put in any sort of real danger," Teren answered, attempting to affect his words with as much confidence as he could muster. "Should I come to believe, at any point, that our plan is more risky than first imagined, I will of course advise that the scheduled assembly be cancelled entirely."

"That does indeed seem reasonable," Henry replied before allowing Rearder the chance to make any other objections. "The High Chancellor and I will again look at your reports Lord Mather, but I am myself inclined to agree to your proposed plan of action. When further information is available we will of course look forward to hearing a more detailed account of the rebel's planned attack and the counter security measures we will need to take against it."

"Of course," Teren answered, bowing his head. He could still feel the clear skepticism emanating from the High Chancellor, but the man remained silent.

"I am encouraged by your initiative Teren," Henry said. "I have high hopes for you. If your mission should prove successful be assured that the reward will be great."

"As always Majesty, I work only to serve you and the Empire of Erestia."

The King smiled. "Now my friend, if you will permit me, the High Chancellor and I have more business that we must discuss in private."

Teren bowed his head once more before rising from his seat. "I thank you for your faith Majesty," he said. "I assure you won't regret it."

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Henry

As the Commissioner General left the room, Henry could feel the unspoken protests threatening to burst from his Chancellor's lips.

"Dresden, I do not wish to hear it," Henry said, holding up his hand to stop the man, before the words broke free. "Lord Mather's plan is viable and you know it."

Dresden was not deterred. "It is risky as well."

Henry gave a short laugh. "And you think I am one to run away from a bit of danger? I have faced down Alexander Harrison in battle before Chancellor and I will certainly not flee from him now. Mather's reports are solid. The cowardly plan of attack Harrison has chosen rings true to what I know of his nature. As the Commissioner General said, we will not likely get another chance like this and must take advantage."

"I don't trust him," Dresden said simply.

"But I do. I have made that quite clear it you, have I not? As I made it clear to your predecessor before you, Teren Mather has my complete trust. He has proven himself again and again."

"And yet even with Dirham's lack of foresight he managed to see danger in the man, as I do now."

"Teren is a friend."

"He is a Mather." Dresden replied. "His family name alone give you pause Henry."

Henry's eyes narrowed. "And what of your name Dresden Rearder? I hardly think a man with Hapsben blood should attempt such a line of accusation. "

"My family has been loyal to the Bastario's for a very long time," Dresden answered easily. "Besides, you do not trust me. That is after all why you keep me by your side is it not?"

Henry did not reply.

"Therein lies my concern Majesty," Dresden continued. "You seem to have a sort of blind faith in Teren Mather. That is why he is dangerous."

Again Henry did not answer. He knew there was wisdom in Dresden's words, but he hated him for it.

"I recognize that my words are unpleasant," Dresden said, as if reading his thoughts. "But you once told me that you required my honesty, and that is what I give to you now."

"You do not like Mather. You never have."

Dresden nodded. "You are correct Sire," he answered. "But I do not advise caution because of my personal feelings towards the man. Go along with his plan if you trust him. He does indeed appear reasonably trustworthy, and the report seems credible. If Mather is correct, we have an opportunity to end the rebellion in short order, and I will not deny my own excitement at the prospect. But remember that no one is beyond suspicion."

Henry gave the man a sharp look. "I owe a great debt to Teren Mather. He was once a friend and I still consider him one now. But do not be mistaken. I have made the error of trusting blindly before. I will never do so again. Teren is not immune I assure you." Dresden nodded.

 "I am glad to hear it. Know that it was not my intention to lecture. I merely wished to present you with my observations. I am glad there was no need."

Henry nodded.

"Still," Dresden continued, "let us hope that the Commissioner General's information is indeed good. With the death of Alexander Harrison I believe that the Vox Populi will fall and we will finally see the final remnants of dissension in the Empire disappear completely.

Henry smiled. "It is a pleasing prospect I must say," he answered. "And far too long in coming."

"Indeed." Dresden paused for a moment. "And of your other project? The Senmin?"

"Project?" Henry asked, amused.

"I'm not certain what else you might call it," he mused, leaning back in his seat. "Though I admit I still do not understand your fascination with them there is no question Fiona Amoral has been a more frequent guest of yours. Am I to assume that she has finally become a more compliant one?"

"It is indeed a process," Henry answered. "Fiona Amoral is a stubborn woman and guards her secrets closely. But her continued willingness to speak is indeed heartening. Of course, in light of recent events I believe the Nita might soon be even more amenable to generous discourse. After all, it is clear the Senmin need our protection now more than ever.

I have already composed correspondence to both the Council Leader and the Nita expressing the Crown's heartfelt sympathies over the destruction of Frenwick and the loss of so many innocent lives, including that of respected township leader and Elder Council member Bernard Merkin and his son." The Chancellor smiled slightly.

"It was quite unfortunate," Dresden replied. "Of course Merkin was long rumored to have some lingering ill will towards the Crown, but, as you say, this will be a good lesson for other communities. We offer complete support to loyal citizens of the Empire. The Vox Populi on the other hand is entierly unpredictable in their desperation to make gains for their cause. I have heard the viciousness of the rebel attack was worse than any other they have perpetrated thus far."

"I have heard the same," Henry replied, hardening his tone slightly at Dresden's cavalier additude. "The reports from the few survivors who escaped tell quite a bone chilling tale of carnage and brutality. In fact, the attack was so vicious, one might question that it could truly have been the Vox Populi who committed these crimes," he said, giving the High Chancellor a pointed stare.

Ever the masterful actor Dresden affected a look of complete innocence, eyebrow raised, mouth turned down in a slight frown of contemplation. 

"Do you think so?" he asked. "I would respectfully disagree. You yourself faced Harrison on the field of battle. Was he not just as vicious then? I believe the Vox Populi have merely shown their true colors. We have always known the danger they posed to the Empire. Now the people have seen it as well. Frenwick was a valuable asset to Erestia, but if its loss was necessary to open the eyes of the populous, I cannot help but imagine that in this great tragedy there is hope.

"Merkin had to be dealt with eventually, but in the wake of this attack much has been accomplished. There is little question that many will be more likely to look to the Crown now to protect against the terror the Vox Populi might inflict upon them in the future, particularly among the Senmin. Even their rebellious shrew of a leader is bound to see the value in securing your true friendship. There will be nowhere else for her to turn if she is to defend against the rebels. The Senmin Council will likely advise she do anything she can to maintain your favor."

Henry relaxed his mouth into a guarded smile. What was done was done, and he could hardly deny the man's logic. "As I said Chancellor, there is certainly progress."

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So...perhaps you now have a better idea of who was responsible for Frenwick's destruction? Thoughts on the chapter? It seems Teren is fairly certain the information he has from within the rebel's ranks is good. What will that mean for Alex ( and Fiona)? What do you think of Henry's comments here? He seems to be convinced that Fiona's interest in the Vox Populi will now sour and she will be forced to turn to him for protection. Of course he doesn't seem to know just how involved with the rebels she has been...There are spies everywhere and its hard to know who knows what exactly. Things are defiantly coming to a head in this struggle between the Vox Populi and the Crown. What will the outcome be?...you'll have to keep reading;-) hehe. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and if you did, click the star! :-)