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

They put their heads together and worked over the speech for a few minutes.


"Thanks, Denise, we'll be right out." He handed the paper to Justine. "You sure you're comfortable with this now?"


"Let's go. We'll let your dad go first, then you come with me." Patrick led them out of the room and Denise showed him where to stand. The Mayor stopped to whisper to Denise for a second then walked outside with Justine beside him. The air was cold, but there was very little wind. Flashes went off as the photographers began their work and Patrick could see the TV vans in the back. He was standing over at the far end of the line of dignitaries.


"Good afternoon, friends," the Mayor said. "I'm glad you came to help thank a true hero of our City. I've rarely had so many different groups wanting us to recognize one individual. What makes it even more special is that she is only eleven years old.


Chapter 28