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

The light vanished. The Prince pushed himself to his feet and staggered from the tent. 


"Oh God, what have I brought Justine into?" Patrick said, "Please hear me. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. What do I do?"


The word dropped into his thoughts like a stone.


"But they're going to kill everyone. They're going to kill Justine!"


This time the word bubbled up from beneath his fear.


"I'm so scared, I have never believed in You like I should. What's going to happen to me?"


The word was accompanied by a vision of a man nailed to a cross. Yet he looked at Patrick with eyes holding no blame, only compassion.


"If I must die, then I will die, but take care of Justine." Patrick let the tears flow from his eyes. "I am yours." A touch brushed his heart not affecting the agony in his hands, but healing a wound deep within his soul. 


Chapter 69