Chapter 38: The Emperor's Visit

The banners of Ebonwood fluttered in the wind, a vibrant display of welcome for the royal convoy. Emperor Lycarion, ruler of the vast beast empire of lycanths, was to grace the village with his presence, accompanied by his three wives and one concubine—the mother of King Simha.

**Preparations for Royalty**

King Simha oversaw the preparations personally, ensuring that every detail reflected the prosperity and respect Ebonwood held for the emperor. The streets were adorned with flowers, the air filled with the scent of feasts being prepared, and the villagers' excitement was palpable.

**The Arrival**

As the royal convoy entered Ebonwood, the villagers bowed in reverence. The emperor's presence was a grand affair, his entourage a parade of opulence. Yet, amidst the splendor, Simha's gaze found his mother, her grace undiminished by the discrimination she faced due to her humble origins.

**The Evening Discourse**

The day's festivities faded into evening, and the moment for private discourse arrived. Simha, now alone with the emperor, voiced a plea that had weighed on his heart. "Father, I ask that you allow my mother to remain in Ebonwood. Here, she will be cherished, free from the scorn of the court."

**The Emperor's Demand**

Emperor Lycarion's eyes narrowed, a glint of cunningness within. "Your request comes with a price," he declared. "One thousand gold beast coins for her freedom."

Simha's heart clenched, not at the sum, but at the realization that his father valued coin over kinship.

**A King's Resolve**

In that moment, a resolve took root in Simha's heart. Ebonwood would grow stronger, and the day would come when neither the elven kingdom nor the lycan empire could dictate its fate. A future of independence shimmered on the horizon, a future where his mother—and his people—would never be bartered for gold.

**The Separation's Seed**

As the night drew to a close, the seed of separation was sown. King Simha bid the emperor farewell, his mind alight with plans for Ebonwood's ascendancy. The ties that bound them to the lycan empire would one day be severed, and on that day, Ebonwood would stand tall, a kingdom unto itself.