Cross Analysis Of The Shambaa Tribe :: essays research papers

I gained a personal interest in the Shambaa Tribe when one if its members Mufika Badu came and spoke to our high school peer- throng. I learned a lot of very interesting things about the people of the Shambaa tribe and the different aspects of their culture, and how they differ from the every day culture that I am exposed to. The Shambaa, also referred to as the Shambala, are a Bantu people found mainly on the West Usambara mountain range in Tanzania. Their lecture is Shambala. The homeland of the Shambaa is called Shambaai. Kings and queens rule the Shambaa people. The Shambaa kingdom is made up of several descant groups with a common origin, but a single descent group governs the kingdom. The survival of the whole descent and its steady increase in size is crucial, because the Shambaa people take great pride in the culture and they dont wont their clan to die out. The king rules over several chiefdoms. The chiefs were appointed by he king and received tribute from their chiefdoms as representatives of the king. All the riches of the land is regarded as the kings. This gives him control of his subjects and the right to demand tribute from them. The king, in return, is expected to bring rain and food to his territory. Maulid is a popular spend celebrated by the Shambaa people in which the people gather with family members and give thanks to the king in hope that he will bring unsloped fortune to their family in the upcoming year (Life In The Shambaa Nation).Peasants and slaves are the kings subjects. Peasants live in village groups under a patriarchal system. Badu described the life of a peasant as being very difficult with work days lasting from sun up until sunset, toiling in the scorching heat with only a few breaks (Mufika Buda). The peasants are free to go about their daily work on the farm and the homestead. They cave in their tribute to the king in the form of food, life stock and labor.The gender role of the Shambaa is very different then than tha t of the United States in that children start to ferment an active role in the work place at an early age. If a child is not of capable of working in the field he must stay home and tend to the younger children (Garson,W.

The Fabulous Fifties Essay examples -- essays research papers

Some may call it the fabulous fifties, but others call it a time of tensions and insecurities. Several people think back on the fifties and remember them as the erect old days, while others think of it as a time of crisis and terror. Although Americans were faced with many hardships throughout the fifties, I think that the convinced(p) aspects such as the sassy technologies, growing economy, higher focus on education, and growing job opportunities of the era outnumber the negative aspects, such as racialism that African Americans faced, and the changing roles of women, reservation the fifties an overall happy period in American register. The fifties are characterized as a watershed period, callable to the unparallel growth and change that America socially and economically experienced after WWII. In the years during the War and the Depression there was high employment, humiliated inflation and a yearning for normalcy, and stability in many Americans lives. The fifties changed all of this providing the American culture with prosperity by way of network television, variant conditioning, computers, jet travel, a national highway system, chain hotels, and franchised fast food that made businesses boom. The fifties are also characterized as a golden epoch when everything was simple and innocent. People had peace and prosperity due to the war ending, and they expressed their feelings of excitement and anticipation through their clothing with men dressing in suits and hats, and women in dresses, stockings and heels, and by going out dancing to big bands downtown, and experimenting with the new technologies and organizations of the time.With World War II bringing thousands of men back to America seeking new lives and opportunities, the US experienced an economic expansion like it had never seen before. During the middle of the twentieth century wages increased 22%, family income went up from $3,000 to $5,400, and the Gross subject field Product increased fro m $206 billion to $440 billion. In order for the country to meet the demands of the massive consumptions of the American people, industries had to expand and create more efficient ways of selling there products through advertisements, which as a result provided citizens with more job opportunities. In my opinion I think that the fifties were defian... ...greater emphasis on technology and mathematics, which provided a boom in many of these careers. The Government began building technical institutes focused on scientific, and space research encouraging Americans to further their education in these areas. After the Sputnik event, the US economy began to fall. Unemployment grew, and problems were erupting in the White House. Sherman Adams was dismissed for taking bribes, and many people were becoming to think that life was not as good as they thought it was.To many the fifties was a period when the United States prospered and dominated much of the worlds economy, a time when girls w ore poodle skirts and guys wore trounce jackets and danced around to Elvis and rock & roll. When Americans began to take advantage of leisure time experiencing new inventions like hula-hoops, Barbie dolls, becoming active in sports like baseball and football, and making television a dominant part of mass media. Although it was also a time when society underwent world shattering changes, it was a period in history that helped stabilized a country that just got out of war and prepared America for the changes that it experiences in the upcoming years.

Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Allan Poe, Biography

The spirits of the dead, who stood, In life before thee, are again, In death around thee, and their will, Shall overshadow thee be excuse( liven up Of The Dead). As the begin Of disgust Poe approved to write approximately his feelings in a more, disturbing and haunting way. He wrote many great poems about death, ghosts, and even some love stories but in a twisted way. Poe had a deep love for writing and for much of his life could not lot that with the ground. Once he got into college, Poe started overlap his works with others. Soon he became famous and earned the name Father Of Horror. Edgar Allen Poes tragic life guide to a fascination with the disastrous side which is certainly evident in The Raven.Edgar Allen Poe was a talented poet, who wrote many poems and books. Poe was born on January 19th 1809 in Boston Massachusetts(biography.com). He passed away(predicate) on October 7th 1849, after being found unconscious in Baltimore, Maryland (poetryfoundation.org). When Poe w as only a year gray both his parents split up, and because of that he neer really knew his father(biography.com). Also his mother passed away when he was only 3, so he had little to no remembrance of her(biography.com). After his mothers death Poe had to live with a tobacco merchant and his wife(biography.com). He lived in Richmond, Virginia until he decided to leave to attend the University Of Virginia(biography.com). His adopted father,John Allan, who he lived with when his mother passed, never gave him enough money to pay for all the costs of college(biography.com).Therefore Poe turned to gambling to cover the cost(biography.com). Poe was a very broken case-by-case that had been through an enormous count of problems(biography.com). When he came back home one time he discovered t... ... through great troubles all of his life, he still decided to share it with the world in the best way he could. Without his poems, Poe probably wouldnt be the poet he is known for today. As th e Father Of Horror Poe really brought his poems to life in a haunting and deeply saddening way but also in a good way.Works CitedEdgar Allan Poe lifetime. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 1996. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. pick up to PoeStories.com. Poestories. Robert Giordano, 31 July 2005. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Poe, Edgar Allan. Spirits Of The Dead. Poemhunter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Allan Poe, BiographyThe spirits of the dead, who stood, In life before thee, are again, In death around thee, and their will, Shall overshadow thee be still(Spirits Of The Dead). As the Father Of Horror Poe loved to write about his feelings in a more, disturbing and haunting way. He wrote many grea t poems about death, ghosts, and even some love stories but in a twisted way. Poe had a deep love for writing and for much of his life could not share that with the world. Once he got into college, Poe started sharing his works with others. Soon he became famous and earned the name Father Of Horror. Edgar Allen Poes tragic life led to a fascination with the dark side which is certainly evident in The Raven.Edgar Allen Poe was a talented poet, who wrote many poems and books. Poe was born on January 19th 1809 in Boston Massachusetts(biography.com). He passed away on October 7th 1849, after being found unconscious in Baltimore, Maryland (poetryfoundation.org). When Poe was only a year old both his parents split up, and because of that he never really knew his father(biography.com). Also his mother passed away when he was only 3, so he had little to no memory of her(biography.com). After his mothers death Poe had to live with a tobacco merchant and his wife(biography.com). He lived in R ichmond, Virginia until he decided to leave to attend the University Of Virginia(biography.com). His adoptive father,John Allan, who he lived with when his mother passed, never gave him enough money to pay for all the costs of college(biography.com).Therefore Poe turned to gambling to cover the cost(biography.com). Poe was a very broken individual that had been through an enormous amount of problems(biography.com). When he came back home one time he discovered t... ... through great troubles all of his life, he still decided to share it with the world in the best way he could. Without his poems, Poe probably wouldnt be the poet he is known for today. As the Father Of Horror Poe really brought his poems to life in a haunting and deeply saddening way but also in a good way.Works CitedEdgar Allan Poe Biography. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 1996. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.Welcome to PoeStories.com. Poestories . Robert Giordano, 31 July 2005. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Poe, Edgar Allan. Spirits Of The Dead. Poemhunter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Allan Poe, Biography

The spirits of the dead, who stood, In life story before thee, are again, In death rough thee, and their will, Shall overshadow thee be remedy(Spirits Of The Dead). As the render Of mutual exclusiveness Poe loved to write about his feelings in a more, disturbing and unyielding way. He wrote some corking poems about death, ghosts, and even some love stories but in a twisted way. Poe had a deep love for committal to writing and for much of his life could not share that with the world. Once he got into college, Poe started sharing his works with others. Soon he became famous and earned the name Father Of Horror. Edgar Allen Poes tragic life led to a fascination with the dark side which is certainly evident in The Raven.Edgar Allen Poe was a talented poet, who wrote many poems and books. Poe was born on January nineteenth 1809 in Boston Massachusetts(biography.com). He passed away on October 7th 1849, after being found unconscious in Baltimore, mendelevium (poetryfoundation.org ). When Poe was only a yr old both his parents split up, and because of that he never really knew his father(biography.com). Also his mother passed away when he was only 3, so he had little to no memory of her(biography.com). After his mothers death Poe had to live with a tobacco merchant and his wife(biography.com). He lived in Richmond, Virginia until he decided to leave to imitate the University Of Virginia(biography.com). His adoptive father,John Allan, who he lived with when his mother passed, never gave him enough money to pay for all the costs of college(biography.com).Therefore Poe turned to gambling to carry on the cost(biography.com). Poe was a very abject individual that had been by means of an enormous amount of problems(biography.com). When he came back home one time he discovered t... ... through great troubles all of his life, he still decided to share it with the world in the best way he could. Without his poems, Poe probably wouldnt be the poet he is known for today. As the Father Of Horror Poe really brought his poems to life in a haunting and deeply saddening way but also in a good way.Works CitedEdgar Allan Poe Biography. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 1996. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.Welcome to PoeStories.com. Poestories. Robert Giordano, 31 July 2005. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Poe, Edgar Allan. Spirits Of The Dead. Poemhunter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. The Tell-Tale sprightliness by Edgar Allan Poe. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Allan Poe, BiographyThe spirits of the dead, who stood, In life before thee, are again, In death around thee, and their will, Shall overshadow thee be still(Spirits Of The Dead). As the Father Of Horror Poe loved to write about his feelings in a more, disturbing and haunting w ay. He wrote many great poems about death, ghosts, and even some love stories but in a twisted way. Poe had a deep love for writing and for much of his life could not share that with the world. Once he got into college, Poe started sharing his works with others. Soon he became famous and earned the name Father Of Horror. Edgar Allen Poes tragic life led to a fascination with the dark side which is certainly evident in The Raven.Edgar Allen Poe was a talented poet, who wrote many poems and books. Poe was born on January 19th 1809 in Boston Massachusetts(biography.com). He passed away on October 7th 1849, after being found unconscious in Baltimore, Maryland (poetryfoundation.org). When Poe was only a year old both his parents split up, and because of that he never really knew his father(biography.com). Also his mother passed away when he was only 3, so he had little to no memory of her(biography.com). After his mothers death Poe had to live with a tobacco merchant and his wife(biograp hy.com). He lived in Richmond, Virginia until he decided to leave to attend the University Of Virginia(biography.com). His adoptive father,John Allan, who he lived with when his mother passed, never gave him enough money to pay for all the costs of college(biography.com).Therefore Poe turned to gambling to cover the cost(biography.com). Poe was a very broken individual that had been through an enormous amount of problems(biography.com). When he came back home one time he discovered t... ... through great troubles all of his life, he still decided to share it with the world in the best way he could. Without his poems, Poe probably wouldnt be the poet he is known for today. As the Father Of Horror Poe really brought his poems to life in a haunting and deeply saddening way but also in a good way.Works CitedEdgar Allan Poe Biography. Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 1996. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.Welcome to PoeS tories.com. Poestories. Robert Giordano, 31 July 2005. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Edgar Allan Poe. The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Poe, Edgar Allan. Spirits Of The Dead. Poemhunter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

Comparative Essay: Metamorphosis and Oedipus Essay

Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, although written in completely different time periods and by different authors, still deal with similar issues. One issue that they have in common is family relationships, how they ar broken, then connected again. Gregor from Metamorphosis has a weapons-grade love for his sister and counts on her to be there for him, plainly when the closely horrific thing happens to him, surprisingly it is his mother who cares for him more. And Oedipus, in Oedipus Rex, his mother rejects him at birth, but ironically takes him in later as her husband. Gregor and Oedipus had rattling different relationships with their families yet eventually or the inability to perceive reality.The relationship that Gregor and Oedipus had with their mothers shows how the position or family segments status really does matter in ones reality. It was.a child of Laius house.(Oedipus pg.58) Oedipus realizes that when he was born his mother instantly rejected him because of a prophecy. Yes, master- They said twas on direct of whatsoever wicked spell.(Oedipus pg.58) Jocasta sends Oedipus to be killed in order to keep her husband safe. . And husband, to the woman who bore him (Oedipus pg.38) As the years go by, Jocasta later takes in Oedipus, ironically, oblivious(predicate) that he is her son, and marries him. Yet strangely enough she wants him when he is grown and his true identity is not known, while when he was born, she wanted him dead. Just as Jocasta did to Oedipus, in Metamorphosis, Gregors mother did not pay much attention to him when he was a normal person. Instead she ignored him generally and then later when he turned into a bug gave him great amounts of attention and love. Ironically during the play of Oedipus Rex, Jocasta takes on a motherly role towards Oedipus even though she is now his wife by saying, What is the means of this loud argument , you quarrelsome men?You are reservation much of some un consequential grieva nce. (Oedipus pg.43) Jocasta realizes that Oedipus is her son and again rejects him by sidesplitting herself. Gregor too was used by his family yet in his case it was for the income he brought into the house. Both Jocasta and Gregors mother only acknowledged them after they went through some kind of transformation. Gregors mother wanted to see him and seemed to be the only one who wasnt repulsed by him being a bug. Yet she had a very ironic presence in the novel as in front hand it was his sister who had really cared for him and now couldnt stand him. Through this, he sawing machine the reality of the relationships he had been exposed to all his life.The Oedipus complex is when the boy understands that he has to become just like his father to impress his mother. This occurs with Oedipus when he marries Jocasta and would of course generate to be better than her last husband without knowing that it was actually his father. Both Gregor and Oedipus connect with their mothers to a gr eat extent yet ironically spend most of their lives in a battle with their fathers and unintentionally trying to become them.Every father and son has some type of struggle at some range in their lives to see who will succeed and who is better. Oedipus and Gregor are two men who die fighting in this struggle against their fathers to find the stability in their newfangled lives. Gregor is used by his father and his family for the income that he supplies yet when he turns into a bug his father despises him and refuses to believe that it is his son. If only his father did not keep making this intolerable hissing sound It made Gregor lose his head completely.(Metamorphosis pg.19) His father turns into a threatening figure and begins to hiss.One apple, thrown weakly, grazed Gregors top and slid off harmlessly. But the very next one that came flying after it literally forced its way into Gregors back. (Metamorphosis pg. 39) His fathers hissing is a token of him being intimidated and th e apple thrown at Gregor was a symbol of something being forced onto him. These serve as metaphors for Gregors perception of reality towards the challenges of life. Gregor tries to leave his father, but his father chooses to fight and wound Gregor. In contrast, it is Oedipus who wounds his father and eventually kills him. Between these two characters, it is Oedipus who conquers his father, where as Gregor never accomplished that goal.Gregors relationship with father in front was tolerable, but Gregor was not intimate with his father or anyone else. He seemed to block himself from any emotion that took place in his life. As soon as he turns into a bug his family no longer appreciates him. Oedipuss downfall is brought about when he finally sees the truth that he himself killed his father and then as a result chooses to blind himself from the world. As Tiresias says to Oedipus, You are pleased to mock my blindness. Have you eyes, and cannot see what company you keep? (Oedipus pg.37) Oedipus goes through his life being blind to the point that he killed his father.He then chooses to blind himself because he killed his father and does not want to see the people he has hurt anymore. They had just gotten used to it, the family as well as Gregor, the money was received with thanks and give with pleasure, but no special feeling of warmth went with it any more. (Metamorphosis p.27) Gregor goes through life before he turns into a bug being blind to the fact that his parents are using him and only realizes it when he turns into a bug and sees how his family all of a abrupt take part in their own lives and go out and work and worry about income. The reason for Gregors death is that his father lodged an apple in his back and this ended up killing him. What seems most ironic about Metamorphosis is that Gregors last thoughts were about his parents.In conclusion Oedipus Rex and Metamorphosis are comparable on a basic level. Their family relationships were very similar and a t the end, led to both of Gregors and Oedipus downfall. This shows that the theme of family relationship is a common and possibly, an important theme.

Little Mermaid

This is the story of a little mermaid named Ariel, who dreams of going in a higher place the sea. When her father, King Triton, forbids her to go above the sea, she visits Queen Ursula who her father had banished. in time though she helps her arrest to get above the sea, what Ariel doesnt know is that Ursula has plans to destroy her to get revenge on her father. Ariel uses her voice to get the prince attention. In this paper I entrust use theories to summarize Little Mermaid movie.I believe Ariel is at stage 6 of Ericksons theory because she is now at the age where she think she know what hump is. Her father forbid her to go above the sea besides the love she had for the prince caused he to defy what her father instructed. Ariel was determined and will not let zero stop her. She went into a stage of isolation everything she did or thought about was revolved around getting married to the prince. She had other sisters and a father but whenever it was time for the other mermaids to sing or put on an show, little Ariel was no where to be found.When her Father learned of her defying his word, he was angry. Ariel took matters in her own hand, by consulting with the wicked Queen alone. Yes granted the wicked Queen Ursula made Ariel human, but at what cost? The cost was her voice (operant conditioning). Not really understanding how she would get the prince to know her because she was unable to talk, Ariel used her looks to entice the prince. She was like some typical teenagers today.Ariels father wanted to reinforce a positive behavior (not allowing her to go above the sea, for her safety), but Ariel acted out in a negative way (she went above the sea anyway). Ariel performed a voluntary action to get something she wanted (operant behavior). Growing up as the youngest of her other five sisters, Ariel felt a sense of inferiority to her older sister. They were all able to go above the sea but she was not because of her age (industry vs inferiority, Eriksons Psycho social Stages of Development).The feeling of inferiority that Ariel felt was so strong, that she felt the need to go above the see everyday. In Piagets theory which states as a someone goes through life Ariel was so determined to become a human that she imitated and idiolized what humans did. Each time she woud visit above the sea she would come dressing with a keepsake that humans used(comb, fork, and even the statue that fell off the princes boat during a storm one particular day. This type of behavior

Iron Crowned Chapter 3

I might oblige come to accept being pouf of the Thorn Land, and it was unassailable non to grow attached to a place you had a spiritual connection to. N angiotensin converting enzymetheless, nonhing the Otherworld offered would ever take the place of my situation in Tucson. It was a small house, and in a nice neighborhood, near the Catalina Mountains north of the city. Gateways between the worlds existed all over, facilitating travel, exclusively I had an anchor in my home, meaning once I shifted come show up of the closet of the Thorn Lands gate, I was able to materialize directly in my bedroom. An anchor could be any object fastened to your essence.My roommate Tim, who hadnt seen me in a few days, was understandably shocked when I came strolling into the kitchen.Jesus Christ, Eug he exclaimed. Hed been flipping pancakes at the stove. Weve got to put a bell around your love or something.I grinned and had an inexplicable urge to hug him though I knew that would freak hi m fall come on even more(prenominal). After all the craziness in the Otherworld, his newton was a welcome sight. Well, normality might have been an exaggeration. Tim with his tall, dark, and handsome looks had taken to impersonating Native Americans (badly) in order to score chicks and make m integrityy selling his dire poetry. He rotated through various tribes, and last I knew, hed been passing himself off as Tlingit, seeing as the locals got a little less smashed off by him donning the c masseshes of a tribe living hundreds of miles away. He lived in my house rent-free in exchange for cooking and housework, and I was joyous to see him dressed in an ordinary jeans and T-shirt ensemble today.Are you making enough for two? I asked, heading straight for the full coffeepot.I constantly make enough for two. But most of it goes to waste. That last part came out as a grumble. Hed once complained about being my slave further missed my being around now.Messages?Usual place.When i n the Otherworld, I left my cell ph sensation with Tim. It perpetrated him to play secretary, something he resented since I actually already employed one. Indeed, most of the messages hed scrawled on the refrigerators white board were from her.Tue. 11 AM Lara two job offersTue. 230 PM Lara one possible client asks ASAP helpTue. 515 PM Lara still wants to talk to youTue. 520 PM Lara strikes you to finish tax paperworkTue. 1030 PM Lara wont stop callingWed. 8 AM Lara who calls this early?Wed. 1115 AM BitchWed. 1130 AM Sams Home Improvement interested in vinyl siding?I admired his detailed message taking frustration with Lara aside but my heart sank when I byword who was conspicuously missing. all(prenominal) time I came home, I secretly hoped Id see their names up there. Sometimes, on the sly, my mom would check on me. But my stepdad, Ro unload? He never called anymore, not aft(prenominal) finding out about my allegiance to the Otherworld.Tim, preoccupied with his cooking, didnt see my face. I dont realise why she keeps calling. She knows you cant get any of her messages. Why does she aim more than one? Its not same(p) a billion of them atomic number 18 magically going to get through to you.Its just her way, I said. Shes efficient.Thats not efficient, he declared. Its fringy neurotic.I sighed, wondering not for the first time if I should just let messages go to voice mail. Despite having never met, Tim and Lara were mortal phone enemies. auditory sense them bitch about each other was wearying. Nonetheless, staring at her string of calls already made me feel tired. Id once had a brisk trade as a freelance shaman, kicking out ghosts and other annoying supernatural creatures who harassed humans. Now that I moonlighted as a fairy queen, Id had to become a lot more selective with clientele. I could no longer keep up with the demand around here and snarl bad about that. I guess Roland was picking up my slack but didnt know for sure.I waited until after breakfast before considering with Lara. Pancakes, sausage, and coffee gave me the strength to deal with this latest hole of requests. Undoubtedly seeing my number on her caller ID, Lara didnt bother with formalities when I finally called.About time, she exclaimed. Has he been giving you my messages?He just did. Ive been at rest(p) for three days. You know you dont need to keep bugging him about it.I want to make sure he tells you I called.He writes them down, every one. Besides, my phones log as headspring as tells me youve called a lot.Hmphf. She let it go. Well, youre getting a lot of requests lately. Ive thinned them out, but youve still got to choose.It was almost February. We werent near any major sabbats, when paranormal activity of all time increased. Sometimes, though, it happened for no reason. It figured now would be one of those times right while I was in the middle of a war. Or, I realized, it might be happening because of that. My identities as queen and shaman were both well known among many creatures. Maybe they hoped they could get away with more while I was distracted. half(prenominal) seemed to show up for selfish purposes in our world the other half hoped to forcibly flummox Storm Kings heir on me.Okay, I said. Lets hear the priorities.We need to finish your taxes.Thats not a priority. Keep going.Single woman, stalked by a fetch.Thats serious. Ill have to get on that one.Tree elemental. In your neighborhood.Yeah, that ones here for me. He wont hurt anyone else.Phantom-infested subdivision.On a graveyard?Yup.Schedule it, and make sure the builders charged double. Their own stupid fault.Will do. Then youve got the normal weirdness. Lights in the sky. realizable UFO.Was that Wil again?Yes.Damn it Did you tell him its just the military?Yes. He also said theres been some Bigfoot sightings I froze. Bigfoot? Where?I didnt get the details. I thought it was his usual craziness. And didnt you say they dont live in Arizon a?They dont. Has there been anything weird in the news? Deaths?There was a pause, and I heard the rustling of papers. Two hikers died over in Coronado, near the Rappel Rock embroil. The report stated that they fell. Took a pair days to find their bodies. Nasty stuff. Some animals got to them.I was up and out of my chair in a flash, making the dishes on the kitchen table rattle. Tim, leafing through a magazine, looked up in alarm.Call Wil, I told her, trying to lug on one of my boots while balancing the phone. Find out where he heard about these Bigfoot sightings. If its not Coronado, give me a call plump for. If it is, no need to call. Wil was Jasmines half brother, and I avoided speaking to him when I could. One reason was that he always asked me about her. The other was that he was a crazy, paranoid conspiracy theorist. This time, he might be on to something.Lara was understandably startled. But you said Bigfoot Its not Bigfoot.Dont forget your other job tonightI wont.I disco nnected and managed to get on the other boot. Tim regarded me warily. I dont like it when you get that look.That makes two of us.He watched as I went to our hallway closet and produced a little-worn leather coat. Youre going to Coronado?Yup. naughty?Yup.He sighed and gestured to where we hung our keys near the door. Take my car. Itll handle better if you bunk into snow.I slung my satchel over my shoulder and flashed him a grateful smile. He warned me to be careful, but I was already out the door with the keys, heading for his Subaru.My look barely saw the road as I drove toward Coronado State Park. Bigfoot. No, you wouldnt find Bigfoot out here, not even in the Catalinas. Now, tell me thered been a sighting in the Pacific Northwest? Or anywhere in Canada? Yeah, itd be Bigfoot hunting time. But it wouldnt be a priority. They were generally harmless.Here? When you got a Bigfoot sighting in Tucson, it was a devoteeatic bear. Yeah I know. It was a ridiculous name, but it got the po int crosswise and really, there was nothing funny about them. They came from the Underworld and were utterly lethal. With their tall and furry appearance, it was lenient to understand why the untrained eye would mistake them for popular images of Bigfoot. Demon bears didnt fuck around either. If only two people were dead, then this one hadnt been in the area long. We were lucky even if the hikers werent. No rodents or foxes had feed on those bodies.In Tucson proper, we were enjoying our typically mild winter weather mid-seventies today, if I had to guess. As I drove higher into the mountains, the temperature dropped rapidly. I soon saw snow on the ground and signs for Mt. Lemmons travel resorts. Other signs direct me toward popular hiking and climbing areas including Rappel Rock. In and of itself, it was a popular area for outdoorsmen. With its proximity to the ski areas, the behemoth bears front shutdown was doubly dangerous this time of year.I finally reached the trailh ead and parked in a gravel lot. Only a couple other cars were there, which was a small blessing. I stepped out of the Subaru, shocked by the blast of cold air that hit me. I was not used to these temperatures. I hadnt been bred for them. Give me monsters and ghosts? No problem. But cold weather? That was a weakness. I couldve used magic to adjust the air but needed to conserve my creator. Instead, as I stuffed my arsenal into my belt not comfortable but ready for easy access I used my magic for a summoning. I mouth the ritual words, and a few moments later, a small implike creature appeared before me. He had pointed ears, smooth night-black skin, and red slits for eyes.My mistress calls, he said in a flat voice, and I answer, no doubt for some mundane task.Were going after a daimon bear, I said, moving briskly toward the trail and trying my best to ignore the cold. My jacket wasnt suited for this weather at all, but it was the best I had.A more challenging task than most, he ob served.I ignored his condescension as I stopped before the sign indicating the various routes and levels of difficulty for these climbs and hikes. Volusian was a cursed spirit Id subdued and enslaved. His male monarch made him a useful asset and a risky one. He hated me and spent a good deal of his time planning how to overcome me, should I ever lose the control needed to bind him.I closed my eyes, attempting to become one with the air rather than its victim. The world was silent here, but for the rustling of wind in the pines and chatter of birds and small animals. I spread my senses out, seeking something out of place. My abilities werent perfect, but I could often sense a presence not from our world.There. I opened my eyes abruptly and pointed near a trail marked moderately difficult. Do you feel anything? Volusian studied the area, using his senses as well. Yes. But more there. He pointed not at the trail itself but more toward its left, off into the woods. I grimaced but kn ew his senses were slightly better than mine.Off-roading. Lovely.We set out in that direction. Volusian shifted to a more ghostly form that floated along with me, rather than treading through the underbrush like I had to. It wasnt anything I couldnt handle, but it made for lento going. Yet, as I traveled farther and farther, that magical feel increased.It will sense you too, mistress, said Volusian, in a archaic show of unsolicited commentary.I didnt doubt it. Will it come after me? Or will it run?Run? No. Hide? Perhaps. There was a calculated pause. It wont try to force itself internally on you, however. The blood of the shining ones is too alluring. It will simply try to eat you.How reassuring, I muttered. Ill do the banishing. You distract it.Soon, I needed no special senses to know wed reached our goal. The forest had grown deadly silent. No more birds or other signs of life. A strong sense of wrongness make full the air. The worlds were luxuriant human, Otherworld, Underw orld. With our proximity, uncanny creatures could sometimes move throughout this world without me quality anything. Something from the Underworld was too foreign. It stuck out.Were close, I murmured. Were practically oomphfA massive arm swung out from a cluster of trees and hit me in the stomach, knocking me painfully backward. There was nothing I could do to prevent my fall onto the forest floor of sharp sticks and rocks, but I did manage to grab hold of my truncheon as I went down.A giant form loomed in front of me, almost eight feet tall. Long-limbed, with taloned feet and hands, its muscled body could easily be mistaken for that of a Bigfoot. Its ears while definitely bearlike were flattened against its head, adding to the humanoid appearance. It roared, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth. Black eyes, filled with nothing but mindless rage, peered down at me.Volusian, compelled by my orders, threw himself against the bear. The power radiating around Volusians body had the su bstantiality of a ton of bricks. The creature staggered backward, eyes shifting angrily to my minion. The fact that Volusian hadnt knocked it to the ground was concerning. They were either well matched, or the demon was even more powerful than Volusian. The latter would be problematic, seeing as I wasnt strong enough to banish Volusian.Well, that is, I wasnt strong enough to banish him and fight him. If someone else subdued him, I could have sent Volusian on. If this demon bear had the means to defeat Volusian, then Id be cake. Hopefully, the demon bear couldnt obliterate Volusian while distracted by something else me. I scrambled to my feet, holding my wand out as I prepared to open a door to the Underworld. Volusian and the demon battled it out, neither capable of killing each other.I gathered my will, channeling the power of my soul to spread past this world and the Otherworld, on to the Underworld. On my arm, a tattoo of a black and white butterfly sacred to Persephone began to burn as I touched her domain. The air near the demon dematerialized, forming an opening to the Underworld. Grabbing my silver athame with my free hand, I approached the battle, cautious of both the combatants and the forming gate.Volusian hovered over the demon, keeping its eyes directed high. I sneaked up unnoticed. With well-practiced speed, I snaked out with the athame, drawing an arcane symbol on the demons chest. Usually, banishing a demon back to its domain kept it from returning. A cover version mark like this ensured it. I didnt want to take any chances.The demons roar of rage echoed through the woods, and it turned toward me. Id anticipated this and had already scrambled away, keeping out of its reach. Really, Id been lucky the first time it hit me. It had the strength to kill me with one blow. Volusian came forward again to pull the demons attention back only, it didnt work. The demon recognized the menace I was and could feel the opening of the gate. Volusian, attacki ng and attacking, was a nuisance a painful one but one the demon could apparently ignore as it came toward me.Shit, I said. I backed farther and farther away, but the demon was quickly closing the distance. Its massive feet could trample the underbrush that slowed me so much. I worked hard to ignore just how dire my situation had become and instead concentrated on the gateway. That door grew more substantial, and soon, its power began calling to its own sucking the demon back. The creature paused in its attack. The problem was, the gate wanted to pull Volusian too. Orders or not, he moved out of range for self-preservation, which I didnt exactly blame him for. Only, without my minion to take to the woods on the demon, it now had just enough strength to fight the gate and keep coming toward me. It had to know that if it could take me out, the gate would go away too.Suddenly, I heard something approaching us, sticks and leaves crackling under strong feet or, to be more precise, p aws. A red fox much larger than a normal one sprang out onto the demons back, sinking its teeth into the furry brown hide. This brought another shriek from the demon and gave me a moments respite. I threw all my power into the gate and jerked the demon toward it. The demon flailed, unable to fight being sent back to its own world. The fox had the sense to get out of the way, its services no longer needed. The demon gave one last mournful cry and then faded from our sight. I stretched the wand toward where the demon had disappeared, sending my energy through the wands gems to banish the gate as well and reseal this world.Silence followed, except for my own rapid breathing. Slowly, birds began to sing again, and the forests natural state returned. I leaned against a tall, leafless oak in relief. The banishing hadnt been as easy as I expected, but it certainly could have ended worse like, with my death.We didnt need your help, I said. We were doing just fine.The fox was no longer t here, as Id already known. It had transformed into a tall, muscled man, with deep, golden-brown skin and black hair that barely touched his shoulders. He was a kitsune, a shape-shifting Japanese fox from the Otherworld. Actually, he was half-kitsune. His mother had been the kitsune his father a mortal from Arizona. Power-wise, it made little difference.Yeah, said Kiyo, crossing his arms over his chest. He needed no coat and simply wore a burgundy T-shirt. You seemed to have it all under control.We were about to, I retorted.Actually, mistress, said Volusian, deadpan, your death was probably imminent.Oh shut up, I snapped. Youre dismissed. Go back to the Otherworld. Volusian vanished.I turned back to Kiyo. What are you doing out here anyway?He shrugged, and I worked hard to ignore the effect his physical appearance always had on me. Same thing as you. Im on Wils mailing list. When I heard about the Bigfoot sightings I sighed and turned back the way wed come. I dont need your help.I wa snt coming to help you. He caught up with me easily. I was coming to kill a demon bear. You just happened to be here first.Considering the trouble Volusian and I had had, I doubted Kiyo could have taken out the demon through brute force. Kiyo was strong, yeah, but hardly all-powerful. Unfortunately, he was all-bravery. He rushed into impossible situations, ready to defend others even at cost to himself. Hed always been reckless that way except for once.And that was the core of our problems.Kiyo and I used to date, wrapped in a deeply romantic and physical relationship. His continual disapproval of my Otherworldly relations had begun to fracture things between us. The final break had occurred after Leith had raped me. Kiyo had come to rescue me but had refused to punish Leith. Kiyo had advised a tamer programme of action letting Otherworldly justice take its course. Dorian, however, had opted for on-the-spot justice hed run Leith through with a sword. Kiyo and I had broken up shor tly after that.You were outclassed, I told Kiyo. There are a billion other creatures running loose right now. If you want to help, go after them.Ah, yes. I forgot, he said. Tucsons fountain caretaker is too busy playing queen.I came to a halt and glared. Im not playing at anything Controlling the Thorn Land wasnt my choice, and you know it.Thats true. It was Dorians choice one he tricked you into. Yet, somehow that doesnt matter, and now its okay for you to shack up with him and wage war.I started moving again, marching through the woods in a overcast of anger. When wed broken up, Kiyo had been sad and withdrawn. Over time, hed gotten his spunk back and now whenever we ran into each other didnt hesitate to express his opinion of Dorian, the war, or anything else Otherworldly I was snarled in.The war wasnt my choice either, I said at last, after refusing to respond for several minutes.Stopping it wasnt exactly out of your control either.So what are you expression? That I shoul d just stop now and surrender?No. His calmness was annoying. But there must be a peaceful way to end it. To negotiate something.Dont you think weve tried? I exclaimed. How bloodthirsty do you think I am? Every diplomat we send is either given stupid demands or met with death threats.I like the use of we. I wonder how seriously Dorian is taking the peace process.I could see the parking lot through the trees ahead. Good. I needed to be away from Kiyo. His presence was stifling. It stirred up too many feelings, too many feelings I didnt want to deal with.Dorian isnt running this by himself. Were in it together, and we have tried to settle with Katrice.And as thats failed, youre now going to march in with your allies and take her land with overwhelming force, expanding your empire.We reached the gravel lot, and I turned on Kiyo in full anger, hands on my hips. We dont have any allies. And I dont want another ground I sure as hell dont want an empireHe shrugged. Say whatever you want, but everyone knows youre looking for people to join up with you.And Katrice is doing the same, I said smoothly. I hear shes visited the Willow Land quite a bit.Ah, that broke him. Kiyos smug, cool faade faltered. Nothings decided, he said stiffly.But your girlfriends no fan of Dorian and me. Shes afraid of us. How long, Kiyo? How long until she and you fight against us? I was gaining ground he was on the defensive. He and Maiwenn the Willow Queen had once been lovers theyd even had a daughter together. Id never believed their just friends claims since our breakup.Kiyo took a step forward, leaning toward me and fixing me with that dark, dark gaze. Shes not my girlfriend. And were staying neutral.I gave a shrug as masterfully unconcerned as the one hed given me earlier. If you say so. And I like your use of we. Except, you dont really have an equal share in it, do you? You just run along and follow her orders.Damn it, Eugenie He clenched his fists. Why do you have to be so He coul dnt finish, and as we stood there, so close, I became sensible once more of his body and the memories of our time together. I remembered what that body could do in bed. I remembered the way wed laughed, how easily wed connected. The Otherworld consumed so much of my time lately, but I was still half human. The human part of me called to other humans.And as he looked down at me, the anger softening a little, I had a feeling he was thinking the same thing. If he had any lingering attraction, the animal attributes in him would make this doubly awkward. My physical appearance would trigger sexual attraction that much more quickly. Even my scent could arouse him.He looked away. Well. None of that matters. You should go home. Youre freezing.Im fine, I said automatically, like I wasnt shivering and cover in goose bumps.Of course you are. He glanced back at me, a small, wry smile on his face. Be careful, Eugenie.With what exactly? I asked.Everything.With that, he shape-shifted back into a fox a smaller, normal one and scampered off through the trees. Naturally, he was too hard-core to have driven up here. Suddenly feeling drained, I got out Tims keys and turned toward the car. Id done what I needed to, that was what counted. I didnt want to think about Kiyo or war or anything like that. I wanted to go home and rest before the next job.A tingling along my spine made me drop the keys as I felt an Otherworldly presence appear behind me. I spun around, pulling my wand back out as I did. There, before me, was a ghost. It was female, looking like shed died in her midthirties. Her translucent form washed out any color, but her hair was curly and shoulder-length, her clothing casual. Seeing a ghost outdoors was rare they tended to be attracted to material things. Still, location didnt matter. They were dangerous. I pointed my wand at her, banishing words upon my lips.Wait, dont she cried, holding up her hands.Pleading ghosts werent uncommon. Sorry. This isnt your world. Yo u need to move on. Its for the best.Please. Not yet. I need to talk to you, Eugenie Markham.I frowned, wand still poised and ready. How do you know my name?Because Ive come to ask for your help. I need you to find out who killed me.