However, the power of the Children within Amadicia rapidly outstripped that of the king, and within a few years the royalSerenda Palacehad been removed to outside the capital and the Amadician army reduced to an auxiliary force under the Children. The Children entered a period of rapid growth under young, successful military commanders such asPedron Niall, and in957 NE, they launched an ambitious attempt to bring the much larger and more divided neighboring kingdom ofAltaraunder their rule in what became known as theWhitecloak War. The kingdoms ofIllianandMurandyintervened in the conflict and the Children were forced to abandon the attempt, despite significant military gains and successes.