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

"Be welcome in our home, and come and go in peace," they said together.


"I'm afraid that I must go in peace now," Patrick said. The children moaned, but the oldest bowed.


"I can show you to the gates." He looked at his mother. "Please?" His mother smiled and nodded. 


"Why don't you two tell me about what you did with your cousins?" Patrick heard her say as he followed the boy out of the shop.


"Come right back," Pauli said, "I don't want you to be late for dinner."


Chapter 55