The Forgotten Map by Cameron Stelzer

Author:Cameron Stelzer [Stelzer, Cameron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Rats – Juvenile fiction., Pirates – Juvenile fiction.
ISBN: 9780994248602
Publisher: Daydream Press
Published: 2015-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

The Meeting

The air inside the tunnel was charged with anticipation. Whisker stood in the shadows and stretched his aching tail. Rat Bait crouched beside him, awaiting the negotiation.

‘Where would ye like to begin?’ Rat Bait asked in a casual voice.

‘You can begin by proving you’ve got the map,’ Pete hissed from the other side of the tunnel.

Rat Bait rose to his feet and eyed Pete warily. ‘The map’s in a safe place. But I’ll only be sharin’ me secret when I’ve seen enough gold for a long an’ comfortable retirement.’

‘That’s hardly a fair deal,’ Pete snapped. ‘You could tell us anything once you have our gold.’

Rat Bait shrugged. ‘True. But what choice do ye have?’

‘We can walk away right now and you can take your chances with the Cat Fish.’ Pete said angrily. He stamped his pencil in defiance and his newspaper hat tumbled off.

‘Maybe I will!’ Rat Bait spat. ‘They’ll be more co-operative than a walkin’ newsstand!’

‘Gentlemen, please,’ the Captain sighed. ‘The last thing we want is for the map to fall into the hands of Sabre. I understand the precautions you have taken to protect the map, Rat Bait, but it all boils down to this: can we be certain you have the actual Forgotten Map; the map that has remained a mere legend for most of my lifetime; the map that reveals the hidden location of the Island of Destiny; the map that leads to a treasure thought to be more precious than silver or gold; a treasure with power to alter one’s very fate …?’

Whisker’s tail tingled. He’d heard stories of buried chests on deserted islands before, but he’d never heard of a treasure as amazing as this. He began to imagine … Was it a magical talisman granting invincible powers? Was it a crystal ball revealing the future? It was hard for him to comprehend. He didn’t believe in magic. The magic routines he saw at the circus were always an illusion. But part of him wanted to believe.

The Captain’s words swam around in his head: A treasure with the power to alter one’s very fate … He wondered if there really was such a thing; and if so, could it give him the power to do what his heart longed for most – could it find his family?

‘What is the treasure?’ Whisker quivered excitedly.

‘Arr. That be the question,’ Rat Bait laughed. ‘I wish I knew the answer as much as ye. But alas, the map ain’t told me nothin’ ‘cept what the legend says. It be a treasure o’ great power …’

‘So you want us to purchase a map you don’t actually have, which leads to an airy-fairy treasure you’re not even certain of?’ Pete said sceptically.

‘Aye,’ Rat Bait grinned. ‘And that be the adventure o’ it all.’

‘Phooey to your adventure!’ Pete snapped. ‘I want facts.’

Unlike Pete, Whisker was hooked by the lure of the mystery and wouldn’t be put off so easily.

‘Where did you get the map?’ he asked eagerly.

Rat Bait looked directly at the Captain.

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