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

Morning came too soon.  More of the birds started singing before the sun was up, but the people didn't want to stir until the light of the sun shone into their camp. Patrick went to talk to Davvad.


"Get everyone to gather as much loose wood as they can carry," he said.


"The people of the City will offer hospitality," Patrick said, "because that is the way you folks do things, but it doesn't mean you don't take basic action to care for yourselves. From the size of that camp outside the City, there won't be much in the way of water, food, or fuel available. We can't do anything about the water or food, but we can carry wood."


"You are right," Davvad said "we need to be as self- sufficient as we can, and not impose on others." He went over to Marisha.


Chapter 45