This is an excerpt from the novel I'm working on, Those Who Slew Centauricha Within the dangerous, magical boughs of the Pitchwoods, a war for resources is fought. The firbolgs, driven out of their previous home by a dragon, battle the elves, who have lived for eons in the forest, and believe it cannot sustain both factions. Of course, the adventurers RAVEN, DERRIK, AKI, and CAELI have no idea about the conflict, isolated as the forest is. Their task is simply to provide safe passage for a merchant caravan. Its wagons carry the cure for a plague, and, as such, need swift delivery. Difficulties beset them from all sides, however. Corrupted wildlife and the hostile environment prove troublesome, but such external threats can be fought with spells and shovels. Their internal issues with trust are harder to combat. Aki and Caeli separately hide secret identities, while Raven’s background in thievery has taught her to place her faith in no one. The creative himbo Derrik is totally alright though. If anything, he trusts others too much. Will the four succeed, even as they're entangled in the forest's conflict, and discover the ancient evil Centauricha? Only time will tell...