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

"Any luck?" Hersh asked. "It is lunch time, and everyone works better on a full stomach."


Patrick followed the Sister out to the shell and to the mess hall where he had been joining the other Brothers and Sisters for a midday meal of gruel and bread each day.


"Are there still people who go out to teach the peace?" he asked Hersh as they sat down. 


"Not in my memory," the Brother across the table from them said.  "People are content to stay at home and live quietly. What the scrolls don't mention is that many of those teachers who did return came back with disturbing ideas and questions. The Council stopped encouraging them about a generation back."


Chapter 58