The Pendor Continent.
White Stag Castle, on the eastern border of the Lion Kingdom, belonged to Lord Montover. It stood extremely close to the edge of Noldor Forest.
White Stag Castle might originally have been built to strengthen ties with the elves. After all, King Cavala, the first king of the Pendor Royal Family, had been half elven. They could practically be called close kin.
Yet the years passed, and the world changed beyond recognition. The Pendor Kingdom had long since fallen apart, and this castle had become an outpost from which the Lion Kingdom watched the elves. It might also become a bridgehead for a future invasion of the forest.
It was autumn, on a dark, windy night without even a star visible overhead. Several contingents of well-equipped elven troops poured out of the forest on the cool autumn breeze.
They marched so swiftly that they reached White Stag Castle before its garrison could react, taking up positions as though preparing to storm it. Elite elven cavalry constantly patrolled around the castle.
Their message was clear: they had sealed this place off. Not even a bird would be allowed to leave.
Above the high-spirited troops in gleaming armor, silver banners fluttered in the wind, each embroidered with a golden griffin rearing up and roaring.
Then Allen, clad in silver-white armor, approached the gates with Risadilan at his side. Before formally addressing the defenders, he glanced at the family crest hanging above the gates.
It was a purple banner bearing three crossed golden keys, the emblem of Lord Montover's family.
**"Listen well, everyone inside! I, Allen, a direct blood descendant of the ancient Pendor Royal Family, declare the Lion Kingdom rebels in the name of the late King Cavala! Your so-called king, Ulric I, stole this kingdom. His father, his