The Forgotten Map (33 page)

‘Exactly,' Mr Tribble agreed.

‘But rich kings live on islands all over the world,' Pete said sceptically.

‘True,' Mr Tribble considered. ‘But that's where the fourth line is important:
Its guard appears as leaves and stone.
The ancient kings built a lavish mountain citadel in the middle of the jungle. After they left, the jungle vines covered its crumbling stone walls. The throne tower still stands, but the path is overgrown and no one has attempted to reach it in years.'

‘Of course!' Whisker gasped. ‘A ruined citadel in the middle of a wild jungle would be the perfect
guard
. And the key must be hanging in the tower. That would explain the first two lines:
My key is not found in the ground. It moves through air without a sound.
'

The Captain nodded in agreement.

‘It sounds dangerous,' Pete sniffled. ‘Can't we just head straight for the treasure? We know where the island is: north-north-west of Drumstick Island – straight through the Cyclone Sea. Isn't that enough danger for everyone?'

The Captain gave Pete a stern look. ‘Don't you remember what Rat Bait told us?
Ratsputin lacked all he needed for the quest
. I believe my Father went to the island without the key and it ended in disaster. I won't make that same mistake …'

The crew fell silent.

It was Ruby who finally dared to speak.

‘This is the good ship
Apple Pie
,' she said boldly, ‘not the sunken ship
Princess Pie
. We know what we need, and we know where to find it. So I say we hunt down this
king's key
. A few strangling vines and rat-eating plants won't stop a sharp scissor sword.'

‘Hear! Hear!' Horace cried.

‘Count me in,' Whisker said, tapping the hilt of his sword.

Smudge raised four arms in the air.

‘I'd like to go,' Fred said hesitantly, ‘but can plants really eat rats?'

‘Not big rats,' Horace reassured him.

Fred winked his giant eye. ‘It's an
aye
from me, then.'

The Captain smiled at his crew and turned to Mr Tribble. ‘What about you and the twins? We could use your knowledge of the island.'

Mr Tribble lowered his glasses.

‘I know it's dangerous,' he said, ‘but I did promise the children we'd visit a jungle on our adventure …'

‘Hooray!' Emmie cheered, giving him a big hug.

Eaton agreed, with a sheepish nod.

‘Oh, my precious paws,' Pete groaned. ‘It looks like we're all going.'

‘And we can't do it without you,' Horace grinned. ‘Who else has the brains to solve the second part of the riddle? You're the expert when it comes to wisdom.'

‘
Phooey!' Pete snapped.

Horace shook his hook at him. ‘Rotten pies to you, too!'

Whisker's mind drifted from the conversation. He gazed through the open doorway and out to sea. Somewhere beyond the horizon stood a crumbling jungle tower where a secret key awaited him. Somewhere across the Cyclone Sea lay a mysterious island with a fabled treasure. And somewhere in between, in a little red boat, he hoped, was his family.

Whisker turned back to the crew.

Horace and Pete were still bickering.

The Captain and Mr Tribble pondered over the map.

Eaton tinkered with his lantern.

Emmie danced around Fred in a pair of gold stilettos.

Smudge searched for pie crumbs under the table and Ruby frowned at a scratch on her sword.

Somewhere close by was Whisker's second family – his Pie Rat family.

Book 2

The King's Key

In the thrilling sequel to
The Forgotten Map
, Whisker and the Pie Rats embark on their quest to find the hidden key.

With the Cat Fish out for revenge and a host of jungle dangers lurking around the ruined citadel, Whisker will need more than just clever plans to survive …

Discover more about the Pie Rats at:

www.pierats.com.au