The Secret of Sinbad's Cave by Brydie Walker Bain
The Secret of Sinbad’s Cave
by Brydie Walker Bain
Book I in The Natnat Adventures
To the Phoenix, the Lion and the Polar Bear
What others are saying about The Secret of Sinbad’s Cave
‘A New Zealand Indiana Jones style treasure seeking adventure. Even though it’s aimed at a younger audience I think it is a fun read for adults as well. Walker Bain succeeds in making a thoroughly believable story, one that left me with a whole new perspective on New Zealand and the magic and history that could lie hidden in the land.’
- Mieke Heyns, Wairarapa, New Zealand.
‘I love your story and I so want to get the next one. Miss Hansen has been reading it to us. The whole class listens so hard that no one utters a sound for probably the first time in the day!’
- Tamsyn, aged 9, Rangitoto School, Te Kuiti, New Zealand
Published by Brydie Walker Bain
Copyright 2015 Brydie Walker Bain
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Drake Returns
Chapter 2 - For Sale
Chapter 3 - The Attic
Chapter 4 - Natalia’s Letter
Chapter 5 - Abraham Te Kaitiaki
Chapter 6 - Pockets of Magic
Chapter 7 - Break Through
Chapter 8 - Stuck
Chapter 9 - Front Page News
Chapter 10 - Cortez meets the Tiger Mask
Chapter 11 - Sinbad’s Story
Chapter 12 - Tautoru
Chapter 13 - A Patupaiarehe Gift
Chapter 14 - Mike’s Confession
Chapter 15 - The Legend of Abraham
Chapter 16 - Harpagornis
Chapter 17 - Unwelcome Visitors
Chapter 18 - Change of Plan
Chapter 19 - Search and Rescue
Chapter 20 - Pukatea Mountain
Chapter 21 Grounded
Chapter 22 - Saving the Day
Chapter 23 - Man to Man Chat
Chapter 24 - Answers
Chapter 25 - The Set Up
Chapter 26 - Reconnaissance
Chapter 27 - Treasure Stew
Chapter 28 - Hell or High Water
Chapter 29 - Beware the Curse
Chapter 30 - Into Position
Chapter 31 - Kehua
Chapter 32 - Beyond the Lowest Passage
Chapter 33 - The Eagle’s Nest
Chapter 34 - Emerald Eye of Babylon
Chapter 35 - Get A Good Lawyer
Chapter 36 - The Pirate’s Cache
Chapter 37 - Drake’s Vow
Glossary of Maori words
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Book II - The Ship of Sight and The Hand of Shadow
Chapter 1 - The Ship of Sight
Chapter 2 - The Wake-Up Call
Chapter 1
Drake Returns
The two figures approached silently; a thin man, and a woman clutching a briefcase.
‘Hello, Drake,’ said the man.
‘Good evening, Cortez,’ replied the woman.
‘Is it time?’ he asked.
‘Very near.’
They paused as a morepork, startled from its perch, flapped past.
Cortez lit a cigarette and scanned the empty street. ‘They’ve got no idea what’s here,’ he said, gesturing to the hills around the village.
‘Neither would you, if it weren’t for me,’ said Drake.
Cortez didn’t reply. Twinkling house lights began to appear before them. The morepork called from the shadows.
‘The Last Valley,’ said Cortez. ‘I can hardly believe it. You’d never know it was anything special.’
The woman scoffed. ‘It’s beyond special. Imagine the archaeology, the revelations –’
Cortez looked greedily at the hills. ‘And the gold.’
‘It’s been a long wait,’ said Drake. ‘Secrecy is priority. Code names only.’ She pulled her hat down low. ‘If the media gets hold of this we lose everything.’
‘What about the Protectors of the Valley?’
‘The farm is to be sold,’ said Drake. ‘The family have lost their task. Once they move, it’s gone forever.’
‘How many are there?’
‘One man, a son, two daughters. They are uninitiated.’
‘Still – it lingers in the blood.’
‘They are children – and there is no teacher.’
‘There’s Abraham.’
Drake spat on the ground. ‘He is too old.’
‘You forget what he has done.’
‘I forget nothing.’
The man cleared his throat. ‘Does he live alone?’
‘There is a niece. If she or anyone else become obstacles, eliminate them.’
They waited as a car pulled out of a driveway and faded into silence.
‘This is the opportunity of a lifetime – ’
‘I know,’ he interrupted. ‘You have to trust me.’
‘I don’t trust anyone,’ she replied. ‘Not even my own family.’
‘You have family?’ he joked. The narrowing of her eyes warned him not to say another word.
‘Scanning in the cave has begun,’ said Drake. ‘I’ll meet you on Saturday afternoon for a tour.’
‘With the public?’ asked Cortez.
‘Better to blend in. Soon we’ll know the exact location of the jewels.’
The morepork called again. The man swung his head to catch a glimpse of the night predator. When he looked back he realised he was alone. He stubbed out his cigarette in the dirt and disappeared into the growing darkness.