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

They walked along the road Patrick had stumbled down, cold and alone in the dark. The army camp was gone, but a big man waited for him in the clearing.


"I guess your masters left you behind."


"So you can come with us." Patrick said. "What's your name?"


Patrick turned to Davvad, "Davvad, my friend needs a name."


"You can be Paper, since we already have a Stone." 


The man nodded at Davvad and smiled. He looked at Patrick and tapped the side of his head.


"Come on then, Paper." Patrick said, "Paper looked after me while I was with the Graffire. He kept me safe."


Davvad stopped and bowed to Paper. "Be welcome in my land, and my home. You will be my brother as long as I have breath."


Paper's eyes widened, then he hugged Davvad and then Patrick.


Chapter 77