While most Players acknowledged that Edward was their commander during events, that title was not officially given (by the God of Games). Even the Knights of the Roundtable—leaders with the highest authority in the Church of Games were not acknowledged by all Players since their group was only formed recently.
As such, several Players would decide to fight alone or not take part in the event quests.
Terry and Jom were an example of that.
They never were near the Crookes refugee camp in the first place, but had run off to investigate the trail of the undead high elf and coming to know Kristina, an agent of the Temple of Glory in the process.
Then, when the hill-folk began their assault, Kristina was swindled by Terry and Jom into believing that those tribes were intent on burning and pillaging the Valla Empire—since banditry was something the hill-folk did in the first place.