Evelyn Shadowmoor's Arc

Chapter 1 of 7

Evelyn Shadowmoor climbed the stone steps to the castle archives, her black dress rustling against the cold walls. She needed to find proof of the Council's hidden wars. Every battle they fought in secret, every life they erased from history—she would document it all. The archive room stretched before her, lined with dusty shelves. She ran her fingers along leather spines, searching for military records. Most books held only official victories, celebrations of Council glory. But gaps existed between the dates—years missing, campaigns erased. She pulled down three volumes and tucked them under her arm. The guard outside wouldn't notice if she left quickly. Outside the castle walls, she walked through the forest toward the swamp. A small stone cottage waited there, abandoned and forgotten. Its chimney twisted upward like a bent finger. Blue-green light glowed from the windows—some mineral in the glass catching the sun. She pushed open the door and set the stolen books on the floor. This place would store everything she found. The Council would never search this far from their towers. Back in town, she stopped at the square where a hollowed stump glowed with bioluminescent moss. People left messages there, looking for work or news. She tucked a folded paper into the wood. It asked for veterans willing to share their stories. Nearby stood a stone monument covered in carved names—soldiers from forgotten battles. She copied each one into her notebook. The work had started. She would gather every piece of the Council's hidden past, one document and one name at a time.