Jan and the Secret Cave: The Ituria Chronicles, #5

By J.B. Moonstar

"No time to explain – they will see you, now run!"

 

Learning that an expedition was studying a group of endangered terns, Jan joined the group with her father, to help him with his research and see if she could do anything to protect them. While at the nesting site on the cliffs, she finds a small silk bag in a cave, and so starts an adventure with many unexpected surprises.

 

When she learns poachers have stolen many tern eggs, she is determined to rescue them, and with a little help, to transport them, along with their parents, to Ituria's Island where they will be safe. But what chance does a young girl have against a band of poachers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Little Horsemen
• Release date: Nov 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781644503591

Book preview

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Lost Is Found

Chapter Two

A Mystery Unfolds

Chapter Three

Ready To Explore

Chapter Four

The Search For Clues

Chapter Five

Finding The Map

Chapter Six

Down The Left Stairs

Chapter Seven

Down The Right Stairs

Chapter Eight

Megan’s Story

Chapter Nine

Freedom For Megan

Chapter Ten

Leaving The Cave

Chapter Eleven

Poachers Return

Chapter Twelve

Follow The Leader

Chapter Thirteen

Ituria’s Island

Chapter Fourteen

Returning To Earth

Chapter Fifteen

Poachers Are Back Again

Chapter Sixteen

Knocker Departs

Chapter Seventeen

Secrets Revealed

Chapter Eighteen

Final Plans

Chapter Nineteen

Morning Breaks

Chapter Twenty

Change Of Plans

Chapter Twenty-One

Site Three

Chapter Twenty-Two

Final Resolution

Note From The Author

About The Author

Discover more by JB Moonstar

Book Club Questions

Jan and the Secret Cave

Copyright © 2021-2024 J.B. Moonstar. All rights reserved.

Published By: The Little Horsemen an imprint of 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.

The Little Horsemen Publications

℅ 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.

PO Box 419

Sylva, NC 28779

4horsemenpublications.com

[e-mail]

Cover & Illustration by Jenn Kotick. Contact for commssions at [e-mail] .

Typesetting by Michelle Cline

All rights to the work within are reserved to the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact either the Publisher or Author to gain permission.

All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

All brands, quotes, and cited work respectfully belongs to the original rights holders and bear no affiliation to the authors or publisher.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021944774

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1-64450-360-7

Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1-64450-651-6

Audiobook ISBN-13: 978-1-64450-358-4

Ebook ISBN-13: 978-1-64450-359-1

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the Audubon Society, as well as the many other researchers and scientists, in appreciation for their continuing efforts in researching and protecting the wonderful birds that inhabit this Earth, including their efforts to save the few remaining Chinese Crested Terns, the birds of legend. Thank you!

Dear Reader,

One of Ituria’s main goals is to rescue endangered animals, saving them from death at the hands of man. In my continuing chronicles of the interactions between Ituria’s realm and the human world, I will relate the story of a young girl and her courage to protect those who need her help, even if the likelihood of success seems impossible.

On Earth, Chinese Crested Terns are extremely endangered and at one point had been declared extinct. Discovering an expedition is studying a group of these terns, Jan joins them with her father to help him with his research and see if she can do anything to protect them. While at the nesting site on the cliffs, she finds a small silk bag in a cave that starts an adventure with many unexpected surprises.

When she learns poachers have stolen many tern eggs, she is determined to rescue them, and with a little help, to transport them, along with their parents, to Ituria’s Island where they will remain safe. But what chance does a young girl have against a band of poachers?

Sincerely,

Knocker,

First Guard to Ituria

Chapter One

Lost Is Found

Tiptoeing carefully around the cluster of nests atop the cliff, Jan followed a narrow path so she wouldn’t disturb the birds sitting on their eggs. Ahead of her, she could see the cave entrance she found yesterday; the small silk bag she’d discovered there was calling her back! What else could she learn about the small carved figure she fou nd inside?

Taking the figure of out of its bag, it was only about three inches tall. A man, his left hand pointed down to the left, while his right arm was bent at the elbow, clutched fist resting on his chest. His frozen gaze followed his pointed fingers.

What are you doing here… and where did you get that?! came an urgent whisper behind her.

Jan jumped, almost dropping the little figure. Turning around, she noticed Knocker just a few feet away, nimbly jumping over one of the egg-filled nests to reach her. The terns didn’t seem to mind him; perhaps they were used to his presence. Knocker was tall and lean, over a foot taller than Jan, although not much older. She figured he was about 14 or 15. When he finally reached her, he grabbed her by the shoulders. She looked up at his face, his bright green eyes were wide with surprise as he repeated, What are you doing here?

Do you know what this is? Jan asked, holding the figure up. I found it yesterday in the cave, and I wanted to see…

Look, Knocker interrupted. You can’t be here now. Even though he was whispering, his voice was tense. Taking the statue from her hand, he quickly put it back in the bag and looked around, making sure no one was watching. It’s too late to return to camp now. They’re almost here. You must hide in the cave and not come out—no matter what!

What’s going on? Why do I… Jan started.

"No time to explain—they will see you, now run! Knocker quickly put the bag in her hand and turned her toward the cave. Go! he commanded. I’ll keep them distracted so you can reach the cave!"

Knocker turned and immediately headed in the direction he had come. Jan could hear shouting, but she didn’t understand what they were saying. She also heard growling. One of the people Knocker was yelling at must have a large dog. Knocker had never seemed so stressed before, so she heeded his warnings.

She ran quickly inside the cave and hid behind the rocks at the cave entrance.

Sitting in a dark corner and hidden from the outside world, she held the bag tight, feeling the little stone man inside. What could this be about, and why is Knocker up here? He was usually out with the other researchers on the lower cliffs, documenting the tern nests and identifying which were Chinese Crested. There were only a few dozen of the Chinese Crested Terns nesting among thousands of the Greater Crested