## Chapter 40: A Mother's Plea

In the quiet of the evening, as the stars began their nightly vigil, a mother's voice broke the silence in King Simha's chamber. Her words were soft but carried the weight of a heart long burdened.

**The Queen's Wish**

"My son," she began, her eyes reflecting the flicker of the candlelight, "I have a wish that lies heavy on my soul. It is for your sister, my daughter, who suffers far from here in the elven kingdom."

**The Sister's Plight**

Simha listened, his expression solemn, as his mother recounted the tale of his sister's life—a life marred by humiliation and scorn for her beast heritage. "She endures untold hardships, treated as lesser by those who cannot see past their prejudice."

**The Betrothal's Truth**

The queen's voice trembled as she revealed the painful truth. "Your father, in a bid to appease the elves after the war, offered your sister as a token of compensation. She was betrothed to the seventh elven prince, a man known for his cruelty."

**A Brother's Duty**

Simha's fists clenched at the injustice, the raw wound of his sister's suffering igniting a fire within him. "Mother, I swear to you, I will not rest until she is free from that torment. I will bring her home to Ebonwood, where she belongs."

**The Plan**

The queen nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I trust in you, my son. You have the strength of the lycanths and the cunning of the beasts. Use it to outwit the elves and rescue your sister from her gilded cage."

**A Vow Made**

As the night deepened, plans were whispered, strategies formed. King Simha vowed to navigate the treacherous political waters, to use his influence and resources to secure his sister's return.

**The Promise of Dawn**

With the promise made, the queen retired to her chambers, a flicker of hope rekindled in her heart. And Simha, the village chief, the king of Ebonwood, stood tall, ready to face the challenges ahead. For family, for honor, for Ebonwood.