When this world was new, four courts ruled the land: Winter, Autumn, Summer, and Spring. Three sisters, each a Queen in her own right, came from a world beyond this one and seized the land in the north.

The eldest sister had a cold sort of beauty, with raven hair and onyx eyes, and so made Winter her stronghold. She built a castle of stone by the sea and ruled with iron and ice.

The second sister was made of valor and wit. She claimed Autumn as her fortress, for its wildfire matched the flames that crowned her head and heart, and she reveled in the untamed glory of her reign.

The third sister was the youngest among them and her sisters loved her fiercely. Her beauty was unparalleled. She smiled like sunlight and moved like flower petals carried on a breeze. She was warmth manifest, so she was most home in the Summer Court. She ruled there with grace and kindness and all who knew her gave her their adoration.

As the Sister Queens conquered the northern lands, from below, beyond the Southern Sea, came a young King who laid claim to the south-most regions of the continent. He was an ambitious and aspirant ruler, seeking to carve out a corner of the world for himself. He established the Spring Court and reigned alongside the Sisters. Together these four rulers made the world anew.

In the beginning, when the world was balanced, there were four courts. Now remain only two. But as it once was, so it will be again.