Book excerpt: No silver spoon for this prince. From the time of his birth, life for this prince has been anything but privileged or easy. Now this prince, some thirteen winters of age, and his eleven similarly aged companions must endure a life-changing journey into manhood. Their primary task is to take the undesirable sickly children to the Tree of Sorrow where they are to bind and leave these poor young souls behind for the evil warlock to take to maintain peace. This is where their true journey begins as their destiny awaits them. The young prince and his companions will discover that their future and fate are tied together not just in this journey but upon returning home and after. The innocence, heartbreak, courage, betrayal, evil, love, bonds of friendship, and the hardships of these seven- to nine-foot-tall warriors shall captivate you to your very core and take you from pillar to post from beginning to endor is it the end?