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 to the sound of rain on the window. He was back on the soft mattress in the Council House. Justine. He moaned and tears streamed down his face. 


"I could have been the one to represent the Goddess."


"Yes, but you weren't. There are no easy answers, not for us, not for the gods. Justine knew that."


Sister Hersh visited too. "I am sorry."


"I've seen the plans for the monument, it will be beautiful."


"She doesn't need a beautiful monument. She needs to be here talking with me or with Stone playing a game."


"I know, but it is all we have left to offer. All work in the City has stopped except for the work on burying the dead and building the monument. The Chair of the Council is building the casket with her own hands. She was a carpenter before she became Chair."


Patrick just nodded. None of it mattered. It was Ingrid's death again, but worse because he didn't have Justine to live for.


Chapter 72