Chapter 33: The Silent Guardians

In the deep of night, under the cloak of stars, a secret unfolded upon the walls of Ebonwood. King Simha, with the wisdom of a leader who had seen the ravages of war, embarked on a clandestine mission. The cannons, born from the Forbidden Forest's black crystals, were to be installed upon the fortifications—silent guardians awaiting the call to defend.

**The Emperor's Eyes**

The beast emperor, Simha's father, ruled from his distant throne, unaware of the machinations of his son. To reveal the existence of the cannons would invite scrutiny and questions, perhaps even fear, for such power was unprecedented in the beast kingdom.

**The Veil of Secrecy**

Simha moved with caution, his trusted knights sworn to secrecy. The cannons were transported in pieces, shrouded in darkness, and assembled in the shadows. Each night, the walls grew stronger, bristling with the might of hidden firepower.

**The Human and Elven Ignorance**

Humans and elves, with their treaties and trade, remained oblivious to the strengthening of Ebonwood's defenses. Simha knew the value of surprise, the advantage it could bring should tensions ever boil over into conflict.

**The Installation**

The installation of the cannons was a symphony of silence and precision. Engineers and mages worked in harmony, ensuring that each cannon melded seamlessly with the stone, invisible to all but the most discerning eyes.

**The Promise of Protection**

As dawn approached, Simha surveyed his handiwork. The cannons stood ready, a promise of protection to his people. They were not a declaration of war, but a declaration of readiness, a message to any who would threaten Ebonwood that they would face a foe unlike any other.

**The King's Burden**

With the first light of morning, the secret was sealed. The cannons, though hidden from the world, weighed heavily on Simha's heart. He bore the burden of this secret, the knowledge that the safety of his kingdom rested upon his shoulders.

And so, Ebonwood slept peacefully, its inhabitants unaware of the silent guardians above, their presence a testament to a king's foresight and the lengths to which he would go to keep his people safe.