King Castor was surprisingly saddened by the Vaalgard king’s response. Sylvannyr’s economy has always been fairly strong, so they could suffer the blow. But never the less, the coffers got hit. The king knew that the time of easy peace and comfortably, mundane, good but stagnant relations was over. Enemies would be formed, and in a response, good allies would be required. Especially if Sylvannyr would desire peace when all their neighbors seems to desire peace. Thus Castor began to develop a plan. He has a daughter, still unwed. He has two sons, also unwed.

Aline was a dream princess. Elegant, fair, smart and beautiful. Just like her mother. While she had not learned the art of seduction yet, she did turn the heads of several knights and lords at court. Through her he knew he could secure a strong alliance.

His second son, Elias, was less so. A strong knight on the field. Not so much in jousting as in sword dueling. Elias grew up to be much bigger than his older brother. Much stronger too. The man wielded a bastard sword with ease, and has been known to try the great sword as of late. But he was rude and arrogant. Taking the favor of ladies as granted and ate like an animal. His time for wedlock seemed still far out of reach.

So instead of giving his troops the order to march forward, he ordered them to simply strengthen the southern border. Furthermore, he send messages to Vaalgard, Airgiallne, Toran, Gnyr Shalorn and Nastrond. All invites for the tournament that would soon take place. A sizeable sum was promised to the winner of the joust and duels. Each nation was allowed to send 3 knights and their retinue to fight for their country. He did not know what Gnyr Shalorn’s response would be. They were a scorned nation now. Denied to expand their borders. Castor expected them to not accept the invitation. Never the less he didn’t invite Noatun. First he knew the men of the island were sailors, not knights on horseback or wielding valiant swords in combat. And if Gnyr Shalorn did come, then there was no saying what could happen. With the same kind of fear he did invite Nastrond and Vaalgard. Knowing full well he was setting a potential stage for more conflict. Never the less he had to find suitable candidates for an alliance. Though he held that reason out of his letters.