Timeline

## Pre-Story

### 10 years ago

Kiva lived a relatively peaceful life with her mother Tilda Corentine, her father Faran Meridan, her sister Zuleeka (11 years old), and brothers Torell (almost 10years old) and Kerrin. When she was seven, her father was suspected of helping the rebels, and when he was cornered by the Royal Guard with Kiva and Kerrin, Kiva watched as her little brother was stabbed after he took Faran's knife and tried to defend him. She and her father were dragged off to Zalindov.

That night after Tilda saw her husband and youngest daughter dragged away by the Royal Guard and her youngest son's death. She went, with two of her remaining children, to the Armine Mountains, far from any civilization: a safe house, a place where she might find sanctuary. Tilda joined the rebel group.

Faran became the prison healer with Kiva as his assistant. A few years later, he died of the virus that was being passed around the prison by Warden Rooke, and Kiva took over his position in the infirmary.

### 3 years Ago

Cal’s mother was the general and his father was the commander. They took a group of elite soldiers out on a ship to practice a training drill in open waters. Cal was meant to be with them, but he woke up violently ill that morning. His sister, Ashlyn, stayed behind to look after him. That afternoon, a storm came up out of nowhere. It battered the city so badly, taking months to repairs afterward. Cap’s mother and father and their soldiers were still out at sea when the storm hit. They never made it back.

Cal’s been groomed since birth to take over as the general once his mother stepped down, with Ash intended to command the armadas once their father did the same, but neither expected the time to come so soon. The commander had a number of highly competent people under him, all of whom were capable of overseeing the armadas in his stead. The general was so beloved that her lieutenants struggled to maintain order. Cal and Ash were both overwhelmed by grief, but we all knew one of them would have to take charge. It should have been Cal--that had been the plan all along, what he'd wanted all along. But not like that. He wouldn't do it. Couldn't do it. So Ashlyn did. She's only a few years older than him, which made her the youngest appointed general in Evalon's history. But the respect our armies have for her-for both of them--is unparalleled. Men and women would not only fight for her, they'd die for her, knowing she'd give all of herself right there alongside them. Evalon would have been in real trouble back then without her.

When all this was happening, was around the time the rebels started to become a real nuisance. Their attacks grew bolder, to the point that they became openly hostile, causing damage to villages and loss of life to those who stood against them. They were always careful to avoid the larger cities-they still are but the smaller townships were easy targets. Their forces were disorganized and waiting for a leader to step up. So that's what Ashlyn did.

They'd had too much time to gain a foothold and build their following. Years and years of quietly adding to their numbers and spreading out over Evalon and beyond made it impossible to hunt them all down and end their movement entirely. But Ash did what she could to defend against them, protecting the people from the worst of their attacks. Protecting the rebels, too, from themselves. Even if they didn't realize. Or didn't care.

## The Gilded Cage

* They spent 6 weeks in the Winter Palace.

### Week 1

* **Friday**: The second day after arriving at Vallenia the River Festival started, and Kiva reunited with her sister and brother.
* **Saturday**: The next day she trains with Cal, goes to an underground secret room and the council room.
* **Sunday**: Kiva went to Rhessinda.
* **Monday**: Kiva went with Rhess to Oakhollow, where Kiva meet her siblings at the rebel camp. Back at the River Palace she had family dinner with the Vallentis.
* **Tuesday**: Kiva practice her sword fighting. Jaren left to Fellarion.

### Week 2

* **Sunday**: Five days since Jaren left. Kiva made her escape from the River Palace leaving Cal in a heavy sleep. She went to Blackwater Bog to meet her grandmother, Delora.
* **Monday**: Kiva had lunch with her siblings and the Vallentis. Then Jaren and Tor had a friendly dual and Jaren revealed to Tor he could have taken Kiva out of Zalindov before she turned twelve. Tor and Kiva found out that their mother wanted Kiva to stay in the deadly prison. Kiva was left weeping the entire day in her room until she got hungry. The Queen invaded Kiva to have hot chocolate, but when she was had Angeldust. Jaren saved her and they spend the night together.
* **Tuesday**: Kiva and Jaren spend the day together. They went for dinner, Silverthorn Academy, and to a library. Jared told her about the Royal Ternary. Kira meet with her siblings. Kiva told them about the Royal Ternary. Going back, Cal revealed he already knew her secret for a long time. Kiva declare she’s on the same side as him.
* **Wednesday**: The next day she goes to her grandmother, for the dampener, but she declines. Her grandmother also reveals the terrible truth about her family and her powers. When she returned to her room the Vallentis informed her the Book of Law was stolen and ask were she was. Tipp tells her he stoled the book.