Water Thief
Meet George - the newest Universal Companion
Chapter One: Close Encounter
‘You are getting in above your head, George,’
groaned Malvin. ‘I’m talking in deep, deep doodoo. Don’t think I’m gonna defend you when your
mum gets hold of you.’
Walking through the woods in the grounds of the
Myth Force Training Centre, George didn’t look at the squirrel-sized goblin
sitting on his shoulder – there was no need.
He knew exactly what expression that hideous green mug would have:
pebble black eyes would be screwed shut, pointed ears flat against oblong
skull, fluffy white hair and goatee beard bristled with anxiety. Malvin, George’s companion goblin, looked
like Yoda’s ugly younger brother, but without the world-saving-may-the-Force-be-with-you
disposition. The goblin was grumpy,
greedy and wicked – and he also happened to be George’s best friend.
‘It’s OK.
I’m a universal – I know how to handle this stuff,’ George said blithely. ‘Don’t get in a sweat.’
Malvin made a point of drawing his clawed paw
across his forehead and flicking imaginary perspiration at his human.
‘Liam said fire imps are cool. They know how to have a good time.’
‘Liam is also eight years older than you and a
graduate from the MFTC.’ Malvin rattled
his tiny wings with a sound like porcupine quills. ‘Your thing about encountering as many mythical
creatures as possible is getting way out of hand.’ The goblin dug his talons deeper in to the
padding of George’s jacket and used his half-furled wings to steady himself as the
boy clambered over a gate. ‘Kraken
scales, would you listen to me! Me, the goblin, giving you, the human, good advice! I’m ashamed of myself. Yeah, go ahead, Georgie boy, go get yourself
toasted by the fire imps. I mean, it’s
not as if there aren’t loads of
universal companions out there with essential roles to play in saving the
world. Not.’
‘I won’t get toasted.’
‘Yeah, right.’
Malvin folded his arms.
‘If you don’t want to hang around and watch, why
don’t you go do something else? Drag
washing off the line or scare a few cats – whatever it is that gives you your
kicks.’
Malvin muttered something unrepeatable.
‘So you’re staying?’
‘Yes, because unlike you, I am fire-proof. Unlike you,
I might be able to haul your butt out
of danger when you get your fingers burnt.’
‘I love you too, Malvin,’ George said in a falsely
cheerful voice.
The goblin heaved out a brimstone-flavoured
snort. ‘Cut out the warm fuzzies. Makes me want to vomit.’
‘Whatever makes you happy, sweetpea.’
George tried not to let the goblin see he was
smiling. Against his bad nature, Malvin
could not help wanting to keep his human safe and that really got under his
scaly hide. They had been inseparable
ever since George had found Malvin tormenting the family cat, using his skill
for ventriloquism. As far as the cat was
concerned, the blue teddy really had barked at her. The goblin had been lying on the lawn,
paralytic with laughter as the cat fought the cuddly bear. George had been a toddler at the time and
thought the goblin just a weird looking toy that had wandered in to his
garden. After sticking his chubby finger
in Malvin’s eye and squeezing his tummy to make him squeak, the goblin had put
him right by biting down hard. After Toddler
George had got over his initial shock that one of his toys had fought back, he
became fascinated by the creature. The
attraction had proved mutual – like most mythical creatures, the goblin could
not resist a universal companion who was able to create a special bond
mind-to-mind with all of them. From that
moment, Malvin became George’s secret companion, getting expert at posing as
one of his action figures when an adult came in the room. He had been the toy smuggled to the first day
at nursery – boy, was that a mistake!
Half the kids in Hescombe of George’s age were still having nightmares
about the burping green baby doll. Humiliated
by that outing, Malvin had demanded that he be treated with dignity rather than
as a TeenieTinyTears. And ever since an
entire day bingeing out on Star Wars DVDs, he sported Jedi robes when
travelling in public with George.
Funny, thought George, looking sideways at the
rigid profile of his friend, you would have thought as a rare universal
companion, fate would have picked a more awesome creature for his friend. His cousin Connie, head universal in the
Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, had a beautiful golden dragon
called Argand. He had a little green
goblin with bad breath.
As his American buddy, Ashvin, would say: go
figure.
George jumped a fence in to the wood. Everything was quiet in the cool April
twilight. A flush of green on twig tips showed
the trees were rousing from their winter hibernation. Pale yellow catkins dangled from bare birch
fronds, like fish bait laid out to hook spring.
George could sense many old friends out and about this evening: wood
sprites, fey folk, kelpies, and the more distance presence of dragons flying on
Dartmoor. George shivered with
anticipation.
‘I’ve got a really bad feeling about this,’
muttered Malvin.
Ignoring the doomsayer, George gathered some dead
wood and built a campfire in a clearing.
The sky was smoke grey – thick cloud hiding the over-flight of winged
creatures. His backbone tingled as he
felt the pegasi going through their manoeuvres.
‘Look, George my friend,’ Malvin continued in a suspiciously
reasonable voice, ‘you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Connie doesn’t expect you to finish your
training early.’
George snapped a branch and shook his head. ‘It’s not about her.’
Of course, it was, but he wasn’t about to admit it,
not even to Malvin. He lived in Connie’s
shadow. His older brother, Col, was
married to her so every family gathering inevitably brought news of yet another
triumph or amazing encounter as the couple travelled the world trying to save
mythical creatures from extinction. And
thanks to a nearly fatal encounter with her arch-enemy, Kullervo, Connie had also
become the only shape-shifting human in existence which made her even more
exceptional. George loved her dearly,
but sometimes wished she wasn’t so perfect.
As the only other universal in the Society, he could not hope to measure
up.
But he was going to try. He was going to fast track through the
training programme and kick some environmental butt when he was finished. The climate crisis meant no one could afford
to sit in a classroom; action was needed now, even from thirteen year olds like
him. Under Connie’s leadership the
Society had shaken off centuries of tradition and completely reorganized to
meet the new challenge; George wanted to take his place in that fight. So tonight he was going to cross another
species off his list and show that he could manage a tricky challenge on his
own. Only then would the Society
consider letting him lead his own Myth Force squad. He wanted to be the youngest commander in
Society history and this was his ticket to that promotion.
Or the door to his expulsion. It was, he had to admit, a high risk
strategy.
He took out a match and struck it on the side of
the box. Puff – the match went out,
thanks to a gust of foetid air from Malvin.
‘Stop that,’ grouched George. ‘I’m going do this.’
He tried again.
This time he was able to set the flame to the tinder. It caught – fire eating up the dry leaves,
lapping at the twigs.
‘Now what?’ asked Malvin, intrigued despite his
misgivings.
‘When Liam does this, he gets the fire imps to dance
on his fingertips. He kind of summons
them somehow.’
George closed his eyes, reaching inside himself for
his gift. Having been trained by Connie
almost from birth, he knew exactly how to access his universal powers, drawing
a thread to throw out in to the wind, calling the imps to the campfire.
Whoosh! The
explosion of flame almost singed off his eyebrows. George staggered back, momentarily
blinded. From the quivering hump he had
just acquired, he guessed Malvin had taken shelter under his jacket. He rubbed his eyes to see two giant-sized
imps dancing in his campfire. They were
pure flame, taking shape then shifting in to another form in a blink of an eye. Dark smoke billowed from their mouths,
drifted in a cloak from their spine, snaked from hands and toes. No way were these going to fit on his
fingertips.
Er, hi, he stammered, using
the mind-to-mind communication of the universal.
Yo, dude, crackled one imp,
flickering in to the man’s shape. The
voice seared through his head like a blaze in the Australian outback.
‘Yo dude?’ snorted
Malvin. ‘What’s with that?’
‘Liam told me he introduced them to hip-hop and rap
– it’s spread like wild fire in the imp community,’ George explained. ‘Now, just shut up a minute while I do this.’
Fire Imps, I’m pleased
to meet you, George said, bowing to the pair.
He knew he sounded too proper but he couldn’t quite bring himself to
pretend to be Eminem.
Wanna dance? asked the second imp,
a female from her appearance. She moved
with a sultry grace, body shimmering in waves of heat.
George blushed. Not
today, thanks. I just wanted to meet you
and...and get to know you a bit. George thought his first contact with this
new species lacked the Neil Armstrong words – one small step and all that. He sounded like a loser.
The male grinned, displaying a row of fire-white
teeth. Yeah, we feel you too, dude.
Who’s the green bro?
That’s my goblin,
Malvin.
George prayed his companion hadn’t been listening in on that last question.
Malvin tweaked his ear. ‘George, the fire!’
‘Ssh!’ So,
how’s life for you fire imps? How’s it...um...hanging. He would kill Liam for getting these
creatures in to hip-hop, he really would.
He couldn’t talk the talk.
It’s hangin’ good – real
loose, man.
That’s...er...good to
know.
‘George, you will listen to me!’ squawked Malvin. ‘Your trainers are melting!’
Bonded with the creatures, George had not noticed
the heat or realized that the fire had grown to Guy Fawkes Night proportions. The nearby trees were beginning to suffer
from the blaze, wood sprites rustling their protests at him.
Look, um, bro...and
er...sista, this has been awesome...er...huge, George told the imps,
but I gotta go.
The imps wove around him, engulfing him in a fiery
ring, smiles a touch evil.
Leaving so soon? asked the female,
extending a long finger nail to him and scoring a hole in his jacket.
George flapped at the burn, making sure it didn’t
spread. Yeah, sorry. Got things to do –
places to be. But we’ll know each other
next time, right, er...you feel me?
The imps were growing larger, the female’s fiery
hair streaming straight up in to the sky like a comet’s tail.
‘I don’t mean to interrupt,’ Malvin said in a snide
tone, ‘but how are you going to end this?’
Aware the encounter was fast heading out of
control, George clamped down on a surge of panic. He couldn’t fail at so simple a task – he
wouldn’t be able to face Connie if he did.
He struggled to remember what he’d been taught. Liam had told him that the principle for
dealing with fire imps was the same no matter the size: snuff the flame. But Liam had also said always to carry his
mobile so he could dial 999. Trying not
to gulp in smoke, George bowed again to the imps and raised his hands.
Sorry, guys.
No! bellowed the male.
Sorry, but I’m gonna
blow this party, George replied, feeling the surge of power as he clapped his hands
together, squeezing the air tight in his palms.
With a final pop, the fire went out, leaving a
large charred circle in the centre of the clearing. George sensed the imps shooting in to the
sky, their bodies invisible until the next time they hit flame.
‘Woo-hoo! Are
you impressed or what?’ crowed George to Malvin, feeling very proud of himself.
‘Or what,’ growled Malvin. ‘Your face looks like it’s sunburnt, the ends
of your hair frizzled, your clothes...your clothes are a write-off, human.’
George looked down at himself. The soles of his trainers had melted in to a
rubber fringe around the blackened canvas, his jeans were a wreck, his jacket
smoking on one shoulder. Malvin patted a
spark out on the crown of his head with unnecessary force. George couldn’t see his brush-cut brown hair
but he would take the goblin’s word for its abysmal condition.
‘Wasn’t that great!’ enthused George, mentally
ticking the imps off his list of creatures to meet.
‘You are certifiable, universal. Absolutely bonkers.’
‘Must be the company I keep,’ George grinned,
rubbing Malvin under the chin just as he liked.
The goblin purred with pleasure. ‘You have your uses, I suppose. But you are
still in deep doodoo.’
Buy the book now; details can be found here.
Messages
Jess wrote on 12 February 2012:
I love it, I love the way the two friends have a Love Hate relation Ship - it always the best. Is the book out yet, In the UK ? I'm really hoping that Connie and Col still have a mild amount to play in the book ? Being so attached to this first series it would be sad to see them completely pushed away.
It is out if you download or want to order.
elainie wrote on 22 January 2012:
Is it out in australia yet i cant find it in book stores that i've been to.
You may have to ask for it to be ordered in.
Kat wrote on 20 January 2012:
I can't find it in the library at all. Is it there yet?
You might have to ask them to get a copy.
cat wrote on 11 January 2012:
is water thief out in library yet your books are amazing they are some of the best books i have ever read. Will there be more cat royal books? is middle passage out in library yet?
Hi You can only get it as a download or print on demand - see the link on my front page. Middle Passage is only a free download. See FAQs on future Cat books. Julia
Ava wrote on 05 January 2012:
How do you come up with good names for characters? I'm trying to write a book but I can't think of any names for my characters! Do you have any tips for coming up with names??
Don't get stuck - use a temporary name and the right one will emerge when writing.
Christina wrote on 04 January 2012:
When does this come out to libaries? I NEED to read this book! NOW! :D
You could request it and maybe they'll buy a copy.
Me wrote on 11 December 2011:
I can't wait for this to come out!
Clara wrote on 11 December 2011:
I love the companions quartet!! Connie is a inspriation to me! I can't wait to read the water theif! I know they'll be just as good as all your other books! Are you going to do another book from the companions quartet, to find out how Connie is being a shape shifter and all? Argand sound beautiful I would love her as a companion!! Your a very good author!!
Take a look at Water Thief, now available (see home page for details and the teaser chapter in Companions area)
Kayla S. wrote on 11 December 2011:
Is Deadlocks in the Companiana Quartet?
No, part of the Darcie Lock series.
cheyenne wrote on 09 December 2011:
i loved the companions quartet i have to say out of every book i have ever read these are my fav i really can't wait to read water thief. i think u are a great writer i have read these books a couple times each and i don't think that they will ever get old
Thanks Cheyenne
aimeeo'drisc. wrote on 07 December 2011:
hello when is the publishing date as every one but me seems to know!!! =] when does it come out in uk? thank you for these creations .have all of your books (i know you probably here that alot ^_^) hope water theif sells well so that more can be on their way!!!!! yay! for marvins sake keep up the brilliant thrilling exciting ingeneous no-words-for-it-is-so-brilliant work!!!!!!!!
Water Thief is available now - see my front page (tap on my signature above to get there).
Sarah-cat wrote on 05 December 2011:
Hi Julia, Just wondering if Col and Connie will be in these books but not like the main characters but in it! It would be so cool! And are there plans for Col and Connie (really cute couple) have kids! And when did they get married??? Sorry for all the questions! Sarah-cat Love the books!!!!!
Yes, they are in Water Thief, though George is the focus.
Tabbie and Imy wrote on 27 November 2011:
SUPER SQUEAL!!!!!!!!!! Eeeeeeeeek!!!! Can't wait!! Col and Connie are such a cute couple! But whatever happened to Rat? He was pretty cool too! And how old would they be now? Forgot how old they were at the end of chimera... But hey! Any idea when it's coming out? Malvin for the win!! :D Tabbie and Imy X
Soon!
tina wrote on 27 November 2011:
i love this chapter!!!
Roma wrote on 25 November 2011:
when did col and connie get married? Did they have children? does george have any other companions beside malvin? Thanks! Roma
See the book for the answers!
Bochra Boudarka wrote on 24 November 2011:
OMG!!!! This is sooo exciting!!!!! This is awesome, and i love your books sooooo much. I've read ALL your books, except deadlock which i cant WAIT to get hold of!!! You are a great author and thank you SOOOOO much for this extract, it has made me anticipate the new book with even more excitement!!! :D
You can get Deadlock now - see link on front page!
Tasha wrote on 24 November 2011:
I'm so excited! :) Can't wait for it to come out. Great little taster xxxx
Samantha wrote on 23 November 2011:
When is it going to be out in the US?
Same as elsewhere.
Melissa J wrote on 23 November 2011:
This sounds like a really good book. I've got the first book w/ Connie on hold @ the library. Giving you a try, just caught up with all of Rick R. books. Now need a new series of books.
Emily wrote on 22 November 2011:
This is great I have been hoping that there would be more companions quartet books ever since I read the first ones. Its great to read about Connie again and interesting to learn more about George. I really can't wait until this comes out. Companions quartet where the first of your books that I read and I loved them so much I have read nearly all your books now except deadlock, (which I am sure that I will get round to soon.) They are all brilliant, Thank you for so many hours of great reading!
Thank you!
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