The castle was abandoned when Stephen found it.  No longer on the trade routes, it had lost it's strategic importance as a fortification.  And the land was too poor to provide for the occupants.  So they left.<br/><br/>The bastard prince hired a band of mercenaries to man the castle.  And then he went in search of one of the two princess's of one of the two kings who was most likely his father.  He chose Princess Danielle because she was the more approachable of the two princess's.  And she was way too meek to put up a fight.  Quickly bound and gagged as she wandered through the Royal Gardens, he slung her over his horse and rode away to his castle.  She was too lovely to let his mercenaries near, so once secured in her cell at the top of the tallest tower, he made a point to care for her personally.  There was no reason to menace her just yet.<br/><br/>He knew Princess Crystal would come to rescue her friend.  What he didn't expect was for her to come alone.  Silly girl!