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

Patrick dropped Lee off at her house and went home. It felt empty without Justine so he decided to go to bed. He had just finished brushing his teeth when he heard a knock on the door. He put his shirt back on and went downstairs. Lee was standing at the door, her teeth chattering and holding a bottle of wine.


"Come in before you freeze," he said. "Why aren't you wearing a coat?" 


"I went home," Lee said, "but I just couldn't face sitting there by myself, so I grabbed a bottle of wine and ran over here. I guess I forgot to put on my coat."


Patrick led her into the living room and wrapped a blanket around her. 


"Could you open the wine?" Lee pleaded. Patrick opened the wine and poured out two glasses. Lee took a huge gulp from hers and started shaking more. Patrick sat beside her and rubbed her hands to warm them up. Lee put her head on his shoulder.


"That's feeling better," she said. "I have to talk to you, and the only way I can talk to you is if I drink wine."


Chapter 31