Well here we are. Part III. And with part III comes...a new POV. Here's a character you haven't seen since Henry came home from battle, but he has been mentioned since then... Teren Mather. Who is he? ( do you remember?) More importantly...How does he fit into this story? Let's find out...;-)

Teren

Teren's footfalls echoed loudly in the large empty banqueting hall. The opportunity to host a large number of the royal court was a true privilege and honor, but the preparations required were exhaustive, not to mention expensive. His home had been filled for weeks now with various craftsman and servants bustling about. But today was a day of rest. Aside from their general household staff, there were no others wandering the halls and that was a relief. Teren was a relatively private man and preferred a quiet life when not called to duty. Though he recognized his new position and household demanded that he become more involved in the social events enjoyed by the elite citizens within the Capital, he was none the less glad for this momentary respite.

Teren's service alongside Henry Bastario had brought him great reward now that the man had taken the crown. True to his vow to one day repay his friend for his valor, mere weeks after Henry's coronation Teren had been promoted within the army to the rank of Major General with a sizable increase in pay, and bestowed a noble title that gave the Mather family true ownership over their country estate and the land surrounding.

His wife had been thrilled by the news. Carlotta's family name had once held great status and many no doubt believed she had married beneath her station in being forced into the Mather line. Though they had money enough to keep food upon their table and maintain a comfortable life, Teren had always believed that nothing would even erase the tarnish the Mather name carried, given its infamous association to the Hapsben crown, and always regretted that his wife and child would have to bare that burden. Carlotta had always been a dutiful spouse, never once complaining of the match made between their fathers, but Teren knew how very important his promotion was to her. A true chance to raise their family's worth within the Empire.

But Teren's success had grown even further in the months since the unmasking of Cecil Dirham as a traitor to the crown. Henry had been eager to eliminate as many of Dirham's former allies as possible and put, in their place, men he could trust. Not three days after Dirham's execution, Teren had been awarded the title of High Prison Commissioner, a position of true prestige, and given a sizable mansion within the Royal City as gift, to ensure he and his family might reside comfortably in Auresir while he fulfilled his new position. Of course, his new title was not without risk.

Aside from the stigma attached to the retributive side of the judiciary system, there was danger involved in overseeing the Crown's most high profile prisoners. The position's previous occupant had met an exceedingly unfortunate end when investigations into three prison escapes were judged as a sign that the man had been in league with Dirham.

Swiftly tried and judged guilty of high treason, his execution had drawn quite the crowd and lasted an uncomfortably long period of time. Hung, drawn, and quartered, the man's head still sat upon a pike near the western gates to the city. It was certainly not the end Teren wished for, but the appointment to his new position had come from the King himself, he saw the acceptance of such an honor to be worth the calculated risk. Teren had no intention of repeating the mistakes made by the former Commissioner after all, and thus reasoned he had little to fear. Indeed, taking in the high vaulted ceilings and general grander of his new residence, he could feel nothing but an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride in the reward he had garnered for his service to the King.

The party, now only a few short weeks away, had been his wife's idea. "We must show the court our new standing," she had informed him soon after they had become situated in their new home. "All should see the great favor our King has bestowed on you. It is the only way to gain respect within the Capital."

He had easily acquiesced to Carlotta's desire for such spectacle. She'd been born and bred to run a large household and host such an event. He was glad to finally grant her the position and station she deserved. Moreover, he knew she was correct in judging how important it was for their family to cull favor from the Erestian elite.

As he settled into his new position, Carlotta had taken to her own work, fitting their home with lavish furnishing, and preparing to host a large banquet that might rival any other celebration of the season. Teren had largely avoided interfering in anyway, aside from giving a cautionary warning when, in her fervor Carlotta's spending had quickly exceeded the initial budget he had set aside for the festivities. His beginnings had been humble, and his father had always instilled upon him the value of frugality. Nonetheless, as he examined her handy work, it seemed Carlotta's efforts had well worth the extra expense he had begrudgingly allowed.

The workers had made great progress since he had last looked in on the preparations. The hall was now bordered with two long wooden tables of excellent craftsmanship, their legs accented by elegant scrollwork. The exquisite banners Carlotta had commissioned had all been hung. Damask hangings of red and gold, their centers emblazoned with his family crest. He imagined how proud his father would be to see the worth of the Mather name risen high once again.

Teren turned towards the door at the sound of footsteps, and saw his wife appear in the entryway. He stood frozen, admiring her slender form as she came towards him, sashaying gracefully across the floor. With her small waist wrapped in a lovely rose silk that perfectly suited her pale complexion, highlighting the light blush of her cheeks, she was a true vision of nobility and beauty. The woman slipped her delicate hand on to his arm and smiled demurely.

"Have I done well, My Lord?" she asked.

"Carlotta," he said with a smile. "You have truly outdone yourself." He took her hand and kissed it gently.

"I am so glad you are pleased," she said.

"More than that my love," he answered. "I cannot imagine any has ever been blessed with a wife as clever and resourceful. I have seen the list of guests you have managed to secure for your event." She smiled.

"It is your impressive new standing that has ensured none would dare refuse invitation," she replied.

Teren did not comment. Carlotta was undoubtedly correct. Cecil Dirham's downfall had lead to a large number of arrests among notable gentry. The King was determined that his court contain no trace of disloyalty and Portenbrough prison, for which Teren was now responsible, had been well stocked with men taken in for questioning in Henry's endeavor to root out all remnants of the former Chancellor's allies. 

Having now presided over more than twenty executions in the first three months of his tenure as High Prison Commissioner, Teren was certain that many looked upon him with both fear and resentment. Still, they would not refuse invitation to the home of a man who held the keys to Protenbourough, and none would dare imply any discomfort with the King's zealous purges of those he deemed to be a threat.

Teren himself felt little sympathy for the men who had found their end upon the scaffold. In raising a force of men against the Crown, Dirham had incited a secret war, and every war had casualties. Teren greatly respected Henry Bastario and saw him as a truly admirable ruler. He was glad to serve the man now regardless of the potential disfavor it might cause among certain members of the noble elite, and believed the king's vigorous investigations to be entirely justified. Traitors were traitors and could not be suffered to live.

"Papa!" The shrill cry rang out through hall followed by a small a yellow blur that flew between Teren and his wife. Teren looked down to see his little girl, her arms wrapped tightly around his leg. Not a moment later child's frazzled nursemaid followed behind.

"I am so sorry my, Lord and Lady," the poor woman gasped, entirely out of breath. Finding herself in front of him, she seemed at a loss as to the proper course of action, uncertain whether she should pry the child from her employer's leg or make the proper obeisance. In the end she sank into a deep curtsy.

"Please forgive me. I neglected to shut the nursery door and..." She trailed off looking up hesitantly when she heard he was laughing. Ignoring the repentant servant Teren reached down and picked up his daughter in a tight embraced, placing a kiss amidst her mess of soft blond curls. The child giggled as he affectionately ticked her chubby little chin.

"And what mischief are you getting yourself into my little Emma?" he asked with a grin.

"I have a new dress," Emma replied proudly. Teren held her small body out at arm's length to examine her.

"Indeed you do," he said. " A very pretty yellow dress. Do you like it, Emma?"

She nodded and Teren smiled pulling her in close again.

"I'm so glad." He felt his heart melt, as it always did, staring into the shining blue eyes of his little girl.

"Yellow is pretty," Emma said.

"Yes, it is," Carlotta chimed in, her tone hardening. "But you should not have run away from your nursemaid to bother Papa."

Emma's cherubic lips pursed down in a slight frown at her mother's chiding.

"You must apologize to him."

The smallest shadow of guilt clouded Emma's face as she looked up into his eyes.

"I'm sorry Papa," she said earnestly.

Teren laughed and kissed her tiny forehead. "You are forgiven, my love," he said. "Just be certain to mind your nursemaid in the future. Can you do that for me?"

Emma nodded and Teren handed her back to the relieved serving woman.

"You will manage to have my daughter under better control before the festivities next month of course." He said to her in a halfhearted condemnation. "I expect everything to be perfect for our guests."

"Of course my Lord, thank you, my Lord." The woman continued to bow her head as she took the wriggling child back to the nursery.

"You are truly in good form today," his wife said with a smile. Teren gently stroked her soft cheek, lifting her chin towards him as he bent down and kissed her.

"We have been given so much Carlotta and stand to gain even more," he said. " How could I not be jolly?" 

So there you go. A short sweet intro to Teren. What did you think? ( I know there is a fair amount of exposition at the beginning...) This chapter used to be part of a longer chapter which i have decided to break up with a few more chapters from diff view points. Did it feel short ( i.e. too short)? I actually have a fair amount of shorter chapters in part III of this book. Mainly its a pacing thing. There may be some weeks where I release more chapters at once to make up for their short length and to keep up tension ( but that's at least 2 or 3 weeks away). Anyhoo, if you liked Teren and want more of him, fear not, he will DEF be back. He will play a pretty big role in this part of the story;-) 

*small disclaimer: I am making a lot of changes to the start of part III ( including adding some new chapters and moving things around). I am trying to smooth out some character's choices and add more clarity to them. As a result, some  bits may be a tad rougher. I can say however that this part of the book contains a lot more action and excitement so I hope you'll stick with it;-) Also, I would love feedback! Since some of these chapters will have had less eyes on them before posting, comments from readers will be SUPER helpful:-)