Author:
Alex McGilvery has been reading since before he can remember, and writing almost that long. He has published 18 books and is author and editor at his imprint Celticfrog Publishing. He lives in Kamloops with his dog and the stories clawing their way out of his head.

Ten year old Justine has lived with the loss of her mother for two years. Even while she misses her Mom, she is discovering the gifts they share. When bullying at school makes Justine’s life miserable, she befriends a tree she calls Drasil. It isn’t fair that life causes so much pain for Justine, so her father is happy when she makes a friend, even when that friend is a tree.

She tells stories of visiting a land where peace is valued above all else and hospitality is the primary virtue. Her father listens to her stories and marvels at how she changes, even as he wonders if her stories are true, or the fantasy of a lonely young girl. When the stories get darker and more dangerous, he worries that she is being hurt, even in this land of peace.

He has no idea how much they will both be changed as they get caught up in the struggle between a people who believe in peace, and those who trust in war.

Playing on Yggdrasil

 "Can we go tomorrow so I can show Natalie?"


He called the Shelter and arranged for Justine to visit. She brought her proposal in while Patrick went for coffee. When Natalie phoned, he went and collected Justine. Justine was looking stubborn while Natalie talked and patted her shoulder.


"It's too much money." Justine said as Patrick opened the car door.


"Hundreds," she said, "thousands, I don't know exactly. I'll have to go through and figure it out, but I'm going to do this room and I'm going to do it right!" She glared at Natalie. "I'll raise the extra money myself if I have to."


"OK," Natalie said, "I'll talk to the Board and let them know. I can give you another week before we should start on the room. They want it done by Christmas."


"You got it." Justine put the design board in the car. "Let's go, Dad, I have work to do."


The next day she came home from school and announced the class was holding another bake sale.


Chapter 22