Bon Abbi, a secluded haven nestled within the valley of Rylie Glen, stood apart from the rest of the world. Towering mountain ranges guarded its eastern and western borders, making travel rare and outside influence limited. Over generations, and with aid from the neighboring city of Midland, Bon Abbi prospered modestly—its windmills grinding grain that sustained the city and its people.

Evelyn, daughter of the master miller Roylo, grew up surrounded by these mills—and by expectations she never wished to fulfill. Curious and restless, she longed for a life beyond Bon Abbi’s walls. Her father, however, was bound by duty to the ruling Mayweather family and hoped for stability, not adventure, for his only child. With no sons to inherit his work, Roylo quietly worried about the future, even as Evelyn made it clear she wanted no part in it.

As children, Evelyn and Michael John Mayweather—the youngest son of Bon Abbi’s ruling family—were inseparable. But even in their sheltered city, the divide between noble and commoner was deeply ingrained. Roylo knew their carefree days would not last.

That fragile balance shattered on the eve of planting season.

Nolan Baye Mayweather, heir to Bon Abbi, returned from his training in Mercil accompanied by his fiancée, Ayla Garran. The city rejoiced at the return of their future rulers. But by morning, celebration turned to horror. Ayla’s body was found in the town square, an arrow through her heart—its black-and-white fletching unmistakably tied to Casselberry.

Grief quickly gave way to fury.

Nolan, inconsolable, swore vengeance against Luka Dey of Casselberry. Ignoring his father Lord Rando’s pleas for restraint, he rode out alone. Rando, unsettlingly calm, assured the townspeople that Luka would already be beyond reach—an answer that left young Michael deeply troubled.

Determined to act where his father would not, Michael armed himself and fled toward the Plains of Vandeer. Evelyn tried to stop him, but failed. Torn between following him and alerting the adults, she chose the latter—setting in motion consequences none could undo.

Two days later, Nolan’s body was brought home, slain by sword. Michael, however, was nowhere to be found.

Rumors spread quickly. When Evelyn revealed that Michael had ventured toward Filgore Valley, fear turned to certainty: no child could survive an encounter with a Dragoon. Bon Abbi mourned not one loss, but two.

Lord Rando withdrew into isolation, broken by grief. Roylo, fearing for his daughter, kept Evelyn close—but what troubled him most was her silence. She did not weep. She carried her pain alone.

As life slowly resumed, Roylo sought help from Midland. By summer, Evelyn was sent away to train among healers, hoping purpose might mend what grief had broken.

In Midland, she was chosen as an apprentice by Sola del Sol, a renowned healer and alchemist. Under his guidance, Evelyn learned not only to read and write, but to observe, record, and understand the delicate balance between life and death. Sola entrusted her with knowledge few possessed—particularly of seven deadly compounds already in use by Casselberry, poisons that left little trace behind.

He also taught her how to fight them.

Years passed. Evelyn grew skilled, disciplined, and quietly formidable. Yet she noticed Sola’s growing unease—his constant vigilance, as though danger lingered just beyond sight.

Then came the summons.

Bon Abbi was in danger.

Returning home after eight years, Evelyn found devastation waiting. Her father had died days before her arrival. Lord Rando and many villagers were gravely ill—victims of poisoning. Drawing on her training, Evelyn prepared antidotes and saved those she could, prolonging the ruler’s life.

From that moment on, she remained at Lord Rando’s side.

As his condition worsened, Evelyn became his aide, his observer, and ultimately his final hope. Before his death, with both sons lost, Rando entrusted her with an impossible task:

“Save Bon Abbi.”

For six months, Evelyn held the city together. The people, recognizing her strength and devotion, urged the Council of Seven to name her their leader. But her rise came with danger—she was not of noble blood. In Bon Abbi, such a truth could mean death.

And others were watching.

When the mourning period ended, Casselberry made its move. A rider arrived bearing word: Lord Luka Dey was coming.

It was then that Evelyn encountered three strangers near the city’s edge. One, hooded and silent, stirred something familiar. When he finally revealed his face, her world shifted once more.

Michael John lived.

But he was no longer the boy she knew.

Now calling himself Josah Evermore, he rejected his past, his name, and his claim as heir. Evelyn pleaded with him to reclaim his place and save Bon Abbi from what was coming—but he refused.

Alone, exposed, and standing on borrowed authority, Evelyn had no choice left.

She would hold the mantle and face whatever destiny followed.