“All right,” said the weary adult voice from downstairs. “Let’s try it again. How many is that for breakfast now?”

“Three humans,” came the reply, also from downstairs but a little nearer: “one humanoid prince, one giant bug, one talking tree – “

“King,” said another voice from downstairs, a younger one than the first.

“What?’

“Alien king.”

“Yeah, fine, whatever.”

“Talking tree? Since when is that so special?”

“Okay. One talking, walking tree.”

“And who were you calling a bug?”

“Or a humanoid? I am the human. You’re the humanoids.”

…Sitting on her bed, Nita Callahan yawned as she pulled on a T-shirt. It was going to be another of those mornings…as if there was any other kind of morning lately…

For those of you who’re interested: yes, the first excerpt from Wizards at War is up. Have fun…