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

Her prediction proved correct, and Patrick was shown into the Council Chamber without any wait. It was a surprisingly utilitarian room. They sat around a large table with an oversized chair at one end. They set a smaller chair for Patrick at the other end.


"Welcome," the Chair said. She looked even bigger up close. "be at peace in our City and our Land."


"You honour me with your welcome," Patrick said.


"Is it true that you came through the Goddess Tree?" a man dressed in Brother's robes asked.


"Yggdrasil," Patrick said. "Yes, Yggdrasil brought us here."


"Us?" one of the other counsellors leaned forward to examine Patrick more closely.


"Brother Raston mentioned that his daughter came with him," the Brother said.


"That's right," Patrick said. "Justine, she was one of the children leading the singing this morning."


Chapter 59