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

"That your feelings are like a delicate flower that must be preserved," Stone said in a teasing tone.


She stuck her tongue out at him and wandered off to join another group of children.


Stone looked at Patrick with a sad face, and he knew the boy had spoken lightly to keep the depth of his feelings from Justine. Patrick put his hand on Stone's shoulder in silent sympathy. Then Stone ran off on some errand of his own.


"I'm heading out with Davvad. I'll ask his friend if he would like to talk to you too."


"Thanks, Dad." Patrick looked around at the litter on the ground. He bent down to whisper to Justine. 


"See if you can invent a game that involves cleaning the place up. Garbage can harbour disease."


Chapter 49