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

Patrick woke with a stiff neck and the taste of bile still in his mouth. He grabbed the pitcher and poured himself a cup of water, but he couldn't wash out the taste. After weeks of sleeping on the ground the soft mattress had been terribly uncomfortable. He had a sudden vision of Lee sleeping in his bed while he slept on the floor beside her.


Where did that come from? He had been too busy to think of her in ages. He put his head in his hands as the memory of that wagon pushed any thought from his head. He was well out of his depth.


"Friend Patrick," a young man knocked on the door, "if you are awake, the Council would like to see you."


Patrick looked the clothes set out for him, a much finer version of what he had been wearing. He tried another glass of water with no improvement.


Chapter 61