The Golden Orb

By Danielle Costley

When eleven-year old Danny becomes trapped in a mysterious land of garden gnomes, ghosts and gigantic spiders, his only chance of returning home lies in the magical powers of the Meelyion plant. But does it still exist? Travelling to a haunted forest in search of the Meelyion is the last thing Danny wants to do, especially when there is a group of bloodthirsty ghosts in pursuit. Even if his journey is a success, he must still do battle with an army of deadly spiders that will do anything to stop him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Authors
• Release date: Dec 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781783334452

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Chapter One

"Five seconds left on the clock. Jets are two points down. Stryker breaks free from his opponent. Josh passes the ball to the emerging young superstar. Stryker responds.

"Leaping into the air, Stryker shoots at the hoop. It bounces on the rim, bordering on the edge. Which way will it go? One second now.

The ball falls through the hoop. Siren sounds. Game over, and Danny Stryker saves the day again. Danny whooped excitedly, reliving last year’s State Basketball Finals and wishing his best mate, Josh, was there with him in this strange new country town.

Kryppin was so boring. Since moving from the city, it had been difficult to make new friends. He had grown up with his mates always being just around the corner, but here, everything was totally different.

Danny had always lived a relatively normal life and enjoyed all the things your typical eleven-year old boy would. Camping, rock climbing and basketball every Saturday with Josh since he could remember. Until recently. He’d shot hoops on his own for the past three weeks and it was boring. If only he had someone to hang out with. Everyone lived miles away on farms.

Danny aimed and shot at the makeshift basketball hoop, which was hanging haphazardly onto a gnarled oak tree in the back garden. He hoped this weekend his dad would help him set up his Christmas present, a proper backboard and hoop set. He’d been promising to do it for ages, but somehow it always got postponed. Danny watched as the ball bounced off the tree for at least the hundredth time that day, and into the garden.

I wish I was anywhere but here, he moaned. Danny jumped over the garden hose and chased after the ball. No matter how many hoops he shot, it wouldn’t relieve his boredom. Or improve his mood.

Danny, his mum called from inside the house. How many times do I have to call you? Dinner’s nearly ready.

Just a few more minutes, he grumbled.

Danny had no intention of hurrying. He was still mad that his parents wouldn’t let him get a dog. Everyone in the county had a pet. At least a dog would mean he had someone to go exploring with. He knew just what to call him too.

Jordan, after the one and only, he said. The ball shot right through the hoop and bounced towards a huge puddle of mud. Danny chased after it, but in his haste, his foot caught on the garden hose lying in a tangled heap on the ground.

"Whoooaaaaaaa," he screamed out, falling headfirst onto the lawn.

***

Danny first became aware of a scraping sound in the corner of the room. He opened his eyes and took a sharp intake of breath, startled to see a garden gnome digging a hole in the ground. It was tending to a row of lilac-flowering plants in one corner of the room. Danny rubbed his eyes, convinced he was dreaming. As he looked around, he realised he wasn’t in a room like any he had seen before. It was an ancient stone cave.

What is this place? he gasped.

Pain flared through his head as he sat up quickly. He ran his fingers over his bandaged forehead gingerly and felt a huge lump. Casting his gaze downwards, he saw he was lying on a bed of leaves.

Danny glanced out the window at his bedside to see an enormous cavern. Its walls seemed to shimmer slightly, as if the cavern below was aglow with torchlight. In its centre was a lake that glistened a deep shade of gold in the flickering light. Water flowed gently into it from a crevice high up in the wall.

Slowly, as he became accustomed to his surrounds, he realised he was in just one of hundreds’ of small caves that fed off the main chamber. Rows of tiny plants were dotted around the cave’s edges, suffusing the air with strong, earthy aromas.

As Danny’s concern mounted, the garden gnome turned to face him. His chest was stocky and he wore green trousers with a brown short-sleeved shirt that revealed muscular arms. A dark green cap sat firmly on his head and covered most of his curly, black hair.

You’re awake, finally, the gnome said, wiping the dirt from his hands and moving toward him.

Only just. Danny rubbed his swollen forehead. Ouch, he winced, and pulled his hand away.

That’s some bump you have.

Danny was dumbfounded, still trying to comprehend his new surroundings. Finally, he plucked up enough courage to ask, Where am I? Who are you?

Drewpy Balchin at your service. Drewpy gave Danny a lopsided grin. As to your whereabouts, well, Jayakan will be here in a moment to fill you in. He looked carefully at Danny, his eyes lingering on the bloodied bandage. We were all quite worried about you.

Thanks.

Moments later, in strode a gnome, who surveyed her surroundings with poise. She was dressed in a brilliant deep green gown that flowed to the floor, and was carrying a tray of food and drink. She had a regal air, which radiated from unexpectedly soft features. Only her gaze was sharp, revealing a confidence that somehow retained an air of mystery. Framed by long, golden locks, her eyes shone like rich pools of amethysts.

Danny’s eyes were drawn to the sapphire hanging around her neck, especially the way it radiated constantly changing shades of aquamarine blues and greens. It was as though every colour of the rainbow had been encased within it.

How are you feeling? A gentle smile lit up her fair-skinned face as she handed him a ceramic cup of steaming liquid and sat on the edge of his bed.

Better. Danny gratefully accepted the drink and inhaled its peppermint aromas. Tentatively, he took a sip. Relief seeped through him as the warm liquid ran down his throat, soothing his headache almost instantly.

You’ve been sleeping for at least three days now. We were starting to think you might never wake, she said, placing the food on a nearby table. By the way, I’m Jayakan.

D-Danny, he stammered in amazement, as whenever she moved, a soft, blue beam of light radiated around her like a halo. He gazed at her, confused. This is so weird. Where am I?

No need to worry about that for now. You have to concentrate on becoming well. Then I’ll tell you everything, she smiled reassuringly and offered him a plate of delicious looking cookies. Try one of these.

Danny’s mouth moistened at the sight of them. Hungrily, he bit into one of the moist, chewy biscuits when suddenly it exploded in his mouth, oozing out melted honeycomb. His favourite. These are awesome. Quickly, he scoffed as many of them into his mouth as he could.

Unable to take another bite, Danny nestled back under the bed covers. What’s that stone around your neck? he asked, but even though he was brimming with questions, his eyelids began to droop.

"A Crystallis."

Danny never heard her response; already his mind was filling with dreams. Jayakan watched his peaceful sleep and wondered why he had come into their world. Especially at a time when the Haunted Trio had suddenly reappeared to yet again try and steal away with the Golden Orb. Who knows what would’ve happened to this boy if Drewpy hadn’t found him? Or if he’d fallen into the hands of those deadly ghosts? Many a stray traveller had failed to return from the ghosts’ homeland in the Blue Plains, and those that did were never the same again.

Holding her hand over Danny’s forehead, Jayakan extended a tendril of thought, like a probing finger, into his mind. After some minutes, images began to appear. She recognised the boy’s parents and his sister, as she’d been watching them since their arrival in Kryppin. There were also faces of boys around Danny’s age. One could’ve been his twin, only older. The vision darkened rapidly, disappearing in a swirl of deep blue mist. Then an image of her lying seriously injured in Danny’s arms on a leaf-shaped vessel appeared. She jumped back, startled, and wondered what it meant. Her visions were rarely wrong.

When Danny eventually awoke some hours later, Jayakan was seated in the corner of the room, reading a weathered old map. You’re still here.

That’s right, she said, closing the parchment. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Any better today? She moved towards him.

Much, was his drowsy reply. You know, none of this makes any sense. Everything looks so different here. Why am I in a cave? I know I must be dreaming. Am I? he ventured.

Her petite fingers rested on the back of his hand. "No, this isn’t a dream. You’re in Gnomesville now. Tia