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

 "What did people do before the guest houses?"


"There is provision to tell a person on your door step that you are very sorry, but you have no room and insufficient food for your own household. Then the person is obligated to leave and find other shelter."


"I imagine that would be hard to take if you were being turned away from a grand estate."


"Oh yes," Hersh grinned, "but the rules of the peace say you can't argue. The host loses face, but keeps their wealth. The King wanted to take that option away completely, but it would have been impossible. The compromise was the guest house. Unfortunately, he died before they were put into use."


"He had no children and had been an only son. The City Council stepped in as Regent until a suitable heir could be found. Everything ran so much smoother without a King on the throne they just never got around to replacing him."


Chapter 56