Chapter 1

He is a man who is simple. You will see him walking with a cowboy hat, sometimes sombrero with a feather or two on the side. Ariats and other pares of cowboy boots, with the most durable of leather. He wears a poncho, to keep cold from the winter season on the windy nights of Tucson.

They call him OSHA, Nakai Osha, is his name and he is the Prince of the desert.

Osha, had many errands to run as many Princes and Princess do, however one was lingering on his mind.

Tactically and with great strategy, he was asked upon by his people to make peace with FireWater. If you haven’t heard of FireWater, I’d recommend going back to the last entry I have written. But for those who haven’t extra time in their agenda, FireWater is a demon that has sucked the life from Osha’s people, and for twenty years has hit the tribe with a pandemic we now call addiction.

Osha himself was many times tricked and persuaded by FireWater to let the demon linger and habit itself among the villagers. FireWater can be seen at parties, and gatherings, and it didn’t seem much an issue. Until he found FireWater alone in some of his loved ones homes, consuming their soul so much that his people had periods where they would act belligerent, careless and inhibit no self respect. Conflict would arise time to time, and FireWater had always been present.

One of the elders fell victim due to many secretive and public appearances with FireWater. With the candles and music playing to celebrate the Elders life that was now taken from the blood stained hands of the demon, Osha cleared the room of noise with one heart felt exclamation.

“Say GOODBYE!!!”

Everyone was silent, the band, the dancers and everyone turned to face their Prince.

“Tonight we gather to remember our sister who has started her journey to the after life. With pride and remembrance, we celebrate!For her life has made a beautiful impact on all of us and through stories and song we cary her virtues to the next generations to come.”

The people cheered and hollered.

As his supporters and followers cheered and sang out in agreement, Osha new they wouldn’t be happy like this for long.

“ my beautiful people of the desert Valley, I ask for you to trust me. Despite this beautiful celebration of life, and excitement we have for our earth fallen sister who is off to the next journey after life…. Today we must also say good bye to something that in our culture has turned into tradition. Something that some of us will be angry about, sad and disappointed.”

Osha stopped talking and looked at the faces of the Tucsonans. Some people eager and willing, with their eyes gleaming to hear what their Prince had to say. Others were squinted, fists clenched, hesitant to hear what could possibly put this fun feeling to an end.

“FireWater killed our sister, he is NO LONGER allowed in through the gates of Tucson”

The villagers erupted in chaotic noise just as Osha predicted.

“That’s a lie!!” Cried a young man “I was with FireWater to celebrate my 21st birthday he is harmless””

Another villager “he was there when I was mourning the separation from my marriage of 8 years! No one else was more supportive!”

A young girl “he mentored me when my parents died! I was able to make lots of friends and encounter carefree romance when we were together!”

Two elderly friends “we meet every Sunday and Thursday nights… we never had an issue..”

Despite many comments of disapproval, some of the elder members were shaking their heads supporting Osha. One man in particular who was prestigious in war for fending for the Tucsonans stood up in front of Osha.

“FireWater took the ability of my 16 year old son! He is unable to walk now because of that fucking scoundrel !!!”

“He killed and allowed people to take the innocence of my daughter!!!!” another woman exclaimed.

Now everyone who had been seated to listen to their Prince speak was up on their feet.

The Prince watched with great observation as the Tucsonans began to bicker, agree, laugh, scream getting their ideas and opinions out for release.

Most importantly he scanned the crowd looking…

He studied every one of his peoples faces, and signs of red eyes or slurred speech.

Everyone appeared fine, but he also knew in his heart as much as his people valued him with great Pride, FireWater was sneaky and probably wasn’t going to leave the beautiful people of the valley without a good fight.

He kept scanning the crowd, over and over…

He knew that FireWater was around somewhere… either hiding in one of his peoples homes, maybe even in a bathroom. Sneaky as in one of the woman’s bags, or hunters water flask.

To take down such an insidious, deceptive, shape shifting demon Osha was going to have to think not only as a Prince, but take guidance from the Gods.

FireWater…

War has begun.