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

Kelly was white as a ghost, but she clung to the officer until he gently peeled her off.


"We need to get you to the hospital, and let your mom know you're OK." The police officer looked at Patrick. "You going back to the hospital?"


"I'll stop in and get some information from you there."


The officer bundled Kelly into the car and drove off leaving Patrick again blind in the dark. He put his hand on the tree.


"Justine would want me to thank you for looking after Kelly."


Back at the hospital, Patrick filled Justine and Lee in on Kelly's rescue. Soon after he finished the young officer knocked on the door.


"May I come in?" he asked. Justine waved him in and hugged her teddy bear tighter. "I need to get your story of what happened so we've got it straight."


Justine went through her story again in a small, thin voice.


Chapter 25