Martha Crumble and the Dendro Doorway

By Dave Caswell

The first day at a new school is always strange. But for Martha Crumble, this is no ordinary school. And as she will come to learn, she is no ordinary person.

After an encounter with a strange cat, a message from a peculiar library book, and a trip down the roots of an ancient tree, Martha finds herself in the mysterious world

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mighty Oak Books
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781739578619

Book preview

Prologue

They had never run so fast. Panic filled them, and their hearts pumped hard in their chests.

Radar was slightly ahead of Foghorn, but both were panting heavily as they pushed forward through the bush and grass. The taller grass, as they had expected, bent to the side as they approached it and then closed behind them as they passed through, like curtains opening and closing.

Passing over the stream, they turned around the edge of a vast field of lavender, enclosed by berry-rich raspberry bushes, and through the tunnel of ferns that curled over them. Emerging from the ferns, the sight before them heartened their weary legs. Others had already reached the magnificent coccoloba trees and were being thrown high and far into the distance. Both of them felt a slight sense of fear, not sure what might happen next; they had practised short distances, but this was the real thing, and they knew they would be thrown much further than they ever had in practice.

They ran forward towards the gigantic trees. Others joined them from the side and behind, creating a small, determined army committed to the task before them. They knew, however frightening their flight might be, it was nothing compared to what might face them at the Great Oak.

As soon as they reached the coccoloba, thick sturdy branches reached down and scooped up, first Radar and then Foghorn, into their huge leaves. The leaves curled around them, and then in one motion shot up and forward, sending them both hurtling through the air. The initial thrust sent them spinning and somersaulting high above the canopy of trees, but by the time they descended they had stabilised slightly and could see others below, like ants at first, but getting increasingly bigger, scurrying towards the cave that led to the Great Oak.

As they descended, fear gripped them again. Radar closed her eyes hoping for the best, while Foghorn let out a huge cry that could be heard for miles, sending birds scattering in all directions, and those below tumbling to the floor from its sheer force.

Foghorn! someone cried. That voice is for emergencies!

Foghorn was sure this was indeed an emergency, but he had little time to think, let alone reply. His fall was broken by the leaf of a giant foxglove that rose to catch him, and then gently rolled him onto the ground, like a hand rolling a ball. He gambolled forward and came to rest in a thick clump of moss and heather. His cap was still fixed to his head, most likely because of his large, pointed ears that kept it snuggly in place.

Let’s go, a voice said from his side. It was Radar. She was dusting herself down and adjusting the sword that hung from her belt. We have no time to waste.

Foghorn gathered himself and followed her into the cave. They were not alone; others were in front of them, and still more were landing behind. The cave was darker than usual but still light enough that they could see; and as guardians of the Great Oak, they knew the route well.

Only guardians and messengers could enter the cave, but they were many in number. Others had come from far; such was the gravity of the situation. They ran forward through the passage, which gradually opened wider, revealing a dense forest spreading out as far as the eye could see. They moved onwards, twisting between the large trees, and could hear noise ahead becoming increasingly louder. There were yells and shouts, and the clashing of swords; signs of the battle that was taking place before them.

They reached the thick oak doors of the temple, adorned with symbols intricately carved into the wood, and surrounded by giant redwoods and sequoias. That the doors were open added to the alarm and urgency, but the fear that had gripped them earlier was long gone. It was now replaced with boldness and determination. Radar and Foghorn drew their swords and sprinted inside.

A mass of arms and bodies swirled as guardians and creepers fought. The creepers were strong and cunning. Dressed in cloaks, with wide, piercing green eyes peering out from the darkness of the hoods, they were an unnerving sight. Many guardians had never faced them before, and some had not even believed they existed. Not until now.

Radar jumped fearlessly into the melee, raising her sword high and bringing it down on the arm of a creeper, which hissed and then retreated towards one of the colossal stone statues that lined the temple walls. Radar followed, continuing to wield her sword, landing further blows to its body and legs, before it finally relented, fell to its knees, and evaporated into a plume of foul-smelling green mist. Foghorn too was fighting hard and had already dismissed two creepers.

A barrier of guardians surrounded the Great Oak, bravely defending it against the army of creepers that pressed against them, pushing them back. The creepers were few, but they were strong, and the guardians were struggling to contain them. As the creepers got the upper hand, more guardians ran to support the defence of the Great Oak, but in moving to the front they left the tree now vulnerable from the side.

The fight was furious and, amid battle, no one noticed a small creeper reach the side of the Great Oak. Covered by the shade of the tree, only its bright green eyes were seen, and were now focusing on the tree itself. From inside its cloak, its green spindly fingers pulled out an axe. Its silver blade caught the light from the golden leaves of the Great Oak and reflected it across the temple, catching the attention of several guardians, including one called Rapid.

No! he shouted and ran across the temple. He was the fastest of all the guardians, but creepers were equally fast, and by the time he had reached the tree, the creeper had already swung its axe and cut deep into the trunk of the tree, and a thick golden sap oozed out. Rapid swung his sword, but within seconds the creeper had disappeared, taking with it part of the lifeblood of the Great Oak.

The guardians ran across to Rapid. It was not something they should have done, but the horror at what they had seen compelled them to attend to the tree. The golden sap had slowly stopped flowing and was drying out in thick lines, descending the bark like tears. They knew they should never touch the tree and stood in shock, not knowing what to do. That the creeper had not only touched the tree but had also taken its sap was an abomination that shook them to the core. They froze for a moment. Was this the end?

The creepers saw their opportunity, and with most of the guardians off guard, made their way towards the tree from the other side. It was only Noble, a strong, black-bearded guardian, that alerted the others, his loud cry breaking them out of their trance.

The guardians ran across in pursuit of the creepers who were now closing in on the tree. They drew their swords, desperately trying to reach them in time, but before they could do anything else, a blast of light filled the temple. Heat and a force none of them had ever known or could even describe knocked them off their feet and threw them against the walls of the temple.

An evil hiss echoed around the temple as the creepers dissolved in a thick green mist. The guardians looked towards a figure that had appeared in front of them, the man responsible for dispersing the creepers.

Lord Bristlecone? said Foghorn, gathering himself off the floor and raising himself onto one knee. The others did the same.

Yes, the man replied, removing the hood of his cloak so they could see him more clearly. He had a kindly face and a thick brown beard.

Forgive me, said Radar, but are you real? We’ve only ever heard of you in stories.

Yes, he replied. I have been real for thousands of years, but my work is unseen, as is my presence. It is only this grave situation that has brought me here. You fought bravely, guardians, but we could have lost the Great Oak today.

But it is safe now, isn’t it? Radar said. We defeated the creepers.

It is far from safe, Lord Bristlecone said. His voice was both serious and sad. The creepers took from the Great Oak, and who knows what such a defilement might mean for us now. The tree will recover, there is no doubt of that, but the golden sap has power. If combined with elements of the other Great Trees, it could create untold power. Power like we have never known. Power to do immeasurable evil.

Is this the work of … Noble said.

Yes, Lord Bristlecone said. If she gains such power, we will face horror like we have never known before. We must protect the Great Trees now more than ever, but we must also find out how the creepers could enter our world, and enter this very temple. It appears something truly dreadful has happened, both for this world and for the other … He shuddered when he spoke the next words and a sprinkle of leaves fell from the Great Oak and onto the floor.

… it seems a doorway has been opened.

Chapter 1

Ted’s Cat

Martha! You’re going to be late.

I’m coming! Martha snapped, instantly regretting the sharpness of her voice. She put her pencil case in her bag, took a deep breath and ran downstairs.

You don’t want to be late on the first day, her mum said. She was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with Martha’s lunchbox.

I won’t Mum, I’ve got plenty of time. She kissed her on the cheek, took the lunchbox, and put it in the bottom of her bag.

Okay, love, have a good day now and don’t be too nervous. It will be fine.

I’m not Mum. I’m looking forward to it.

This wasn’t quite true. It wasn’t true at all. Martha was terrified of her first day at secondary school. She didn’t know why, but that was Martha, a real ‘worry bucket’ as her mum often called her. She had always been like it.

She made her way down the path and onto the street. The school was a thirty-minute walk, but she was meeting Molly on the corner, and her mum was happy for them to go together. Martha had objected to the suggestion that her mum walk her to school on her first day. She couldn’t think of anything more embarrassing.

Molly was sitting on a small stone wall stroking a cat. It was a beautiful white and ginger colour and had appeared just a few minutes earlier, rubbing against her arm.

Sorry I’m late, Martha said.

What do you mean? I’ve only just got here myself, Molly replied.

If Martha was a worrier, Molly was the complete opposite. Nothing seemed to phase her, while Martha tended to panic over the smallest thing. Molly was bright and bubbly, and full of confidence, but that also had its downside. She was also prone to doing or saying things without thinking, and this had caused them problems over the years. They had been friends since they could remember. Molly lived at the bottom of Willow Street and Martha lived towards the top. Their parents were friends, and the girls had been inseparable since they were little.

Martha put her hand down and stroked the cat.

I see you’ve made a friend, she said.

I know. Isn’t she lovely?

"He, corrected Martha. It’s a ‘he’. I think it’s the cat of Ted who lives at the back of us, on Albert Drive?"

Does he have a name?

Yes, Ted, I’ve just said, Martha replied.

Not the owner, the cat! Molly laughed, and Martha went bright red. Anyway, we best be going. Goodbye, Ted’s cat. Have a nice day chasing mice, or whatever you have planned.

Probably sleeping, if I know what cats are like, Martha said.

As they moved away, the cat miaowed loudly and reached out towards Martha. It placed its front paws on her bag and, with another even louder miaow, jumped the short distance from the wall and sat down flat on her bag. Molly laughed.

I’ve seen nothing like that before! she exclaimed loudly.

Martha was embarrassed. Other children who were also walking to school were laughing, and Martha felt they were laughing at her. They were laughing at a cat trying to get a ride on a schoolgirl's bag, but Martha didn’t like the attention. Even the postman gave a little chuckle as he walked past, sorting through his letters.

Get off, you silly cat! she said and pushed it hard with her palm. The cat only moved slightly but took the hint and casually jumped back onto the wall. It turned in a big circle and moved its tail in the air like it was waving goodbye. Martha suddenly felt bad for being so abrupt.

I’m sorry, she said, but we have to go to school. It’s nothing personal.

The cat looked up at her, and Martha instantly felt very odd. She felt it was looking right into her, into her very thoughts. It wasn’t a scary feeling though, more of a connection, of a togetherness, like the cat understood.

Come on Martha, said Molly. We really will be late soon.

The thought of being late was enough to cause her to move, and she turned around. They started walking in the school's direction, but as they did, something made Martha look back. She didn’t know why, but she felt a strange urgency, almost like a compulsion, to look at Ted’s cat just one last time.

She looked over her shoulder to see the cat looking straight back, directly at her. And this is when things got weird. Martha had always been told she had an ‘active imagination’, but what happened next was as real as anything she had ever experienced. Ted’s cat smiled. It was a definite smile, like any smile you might see on any human. The only difference was this was a cat.

Martha shook her head. This cannot be real, she thought. Cats don’t smile; it’s your silly brain again. She shook her head as if to shake the thoughts away, and then turned and walked forward.

Are you alright? Molly asked. Don’t worry about school. We’ll be fine. It’s not like we’re the only first years. Everyone will be new.

No … I’m okay, Martha said. I just thought I saw something, but you know what I’m like … no, let’s go.

They continued walking, but the thought would not leave her head. Had she really just seen a cat smiling?

They walked past the post box and turned the corner onto Castle Road. Martha’s thoughts switched to school and what their first day might be like. Molly was right, they weren’t the only new pupils. Things would be fine.

Up ahead, Martha’s eye caught the colours of a fuchsia plant, its flowers cascading over the side of a garden wall like a glorious, colourful waterfall. As they got closer, she reached out to pick one of the flowers and heard a rustling noise from within the bushes. She leaned in, hoping to see what it might be, and there, peering back at her, was Ted’s cat, its face framed by purple flowers.

The reappearance of Ted’s cat troubled her, but it also intrigued her. She felt a strange sense of togetherness again, like she and the cat knew each other. Molly continued walking, seemingly in a world of her own, while Martha composed herself, stopped and looked hard at the cat. Again, she felt the odd connection as their eyes met. And then something ridiculous happened. Martha was barely over the fact that the cat had smiled at her when it did something even more bizarre. The cat winked. A clear, proper wink. It then nodded its head twice, turned, and disappeared back into the bushes, its tail flicking a flower as it did.

Are you sure you’re okay, Martha? said Molly, who had turned back, realising her friend