Chapter 5- Where the heart lies (continuation)

Oke kept cursing at the men. He hung from a warrior's right shoulder, dropping across the his back. His head was covered with the dirty brown sack and he was being moved like a sack of grain, again.

Oke's shaky voice could still be heard a long distance away as he called for help. The warriors didn't tell him to stop. They just kept running, tearing through thick bush. Soon, they suddenly halted but they weren't at ease.
By that time, Oke was so exhausted, he just remained quiet. Although he couldn't see anything, he sensed a certain tension in the air. He sensed his abductors had met with danger so Oke decided to try calling for help again.
" Somebody help!" He screamed. Immediately, the warrior carrying him let him him fall from his shoulder. As his back dropped to the bushy ground, a thunderous sound followed. It was a gunshot but he was spared. Others followed. Oke heard loud screams, which where followed by the sounds of clashing iron. The gunshots were frequent. He just kept screaming.
Some thick liquid dropped on the sack that covered his head. Oke could tell, from the smell, that it was blood. Then someone fell on him like a log of wood, the person was lifeless so he kept quiet, holding his breath. Within five minutes the noise had died down.
" On the floor! " A voice ordered.
"I am Achor, son of Owoghiri, which of you dares to harm me!" Someone boasted.
Oke felt the lifeless body roll off of him. His sack came off as well. The first thing he did was stretch his tied arms for release. His savior cut the ropes. Oke stood up quickly and looked around him. Eight of his abductors were dead, four lay on the floor in front of ten armed men, pointing guns. The other three stood looking defiant but without weapons. Oke could quickly tell who had just claimed to be Achor.
" The iboid tribes have no king. Your father refused to understand this. I see you inherited his confusion " one of the victors said to Achor.
They pulled all the men up and tied them. Oke was allowed to walk freely. They asked him where he was from and he told them. They carried the captives into their village, chatting and laughing along the way. Oke could tell from their conversation that they were at Umukabia. They left the bush and entered a busy road. Soon, the scene attracted a crowd of villagers. They escorted the warriors to the village square amidst chatting, whispers, chuckles and sometimes ecstatic screams.
When they arrived the square, the five most prominent chiefs walked in. Their leader, Okochi had been a fierce warrior who had encountered Owoghiri and his sons in battle. The people of Umukabia still loathed Owoghiri for the bloody attack on their lands in times past. Although they still worshipped the gods of Alammiri and sent gifts yearly, they still loathed them.
" Why are you in our lands?" Okochi asked. He had recognized Achor as soon as he set eyes on him.
Achor had a defiant and angry look on his face.
" You better release me and my men." Achor threatened.
" Are you threatening me? Who are you? Huh??" Okochi asked angrily. Achor kept quiet. Okochi stretched his left hand and one of the warriors ( his son Akpa) threw a matchette to him. Okochi caught it, lifted it with both hands and promptly relieved Achor of his head. Blood spattered everywhere as the head fell in front of him. Achor's body dropped. The body shook for a while, eventually becoming lifeless.
" Nooo!" One of the captives screamed with rage. Okochi could tell he was a leader amongst the captives but he didn't care. He paid no attention to him. Killing a son of Owoghiri had been his biggest dream in life. He wanted to avenge his dead friends and relatives so badly that it didn't matter what Achor had to say.

Although the sight shook Oke but the villagers cheered. Okochi asked his son to take the head and bring him his skull.
" I would pour fresh palm wine from his skull to appease my ancestors"
Akpa took the head away.

Okochi asked the captors to take the men to the evil forest and have them all killed. None of the chiefs had a different opinion. They nodded and made utterances in agreement. The young warriors promptly dragged the captives away. Then Okochi gave the people a speech and dispersed the assembly. Then he turned to Oke.
" Come with me! " He said. Oke followed him home while the people dispersed in jubilation.
Oke was nervous after what he had witnessed. Ofonri was not as violent as this. There had been peace throughout his lifetime and he had never witnessed such an open execution.
He thought about how things had really changed for him lately. First he killed a man in the bush - a man he had just learnt was a son of the great Owoghiri. Now this. He walked with Okochi but never let down his guard. They soon reached Okochi's compound. It was modest and there were no hefty guards at the entrance. Oke followed Okochi into the midst of the cluster of huts. A maiden was calling to him as he entered the compound but all Oke could hear was his nervous heart beating
" Oke!" She kept screaming. Oke felt he heard a familiar voice. He turned around to look and saw Nkoli, his heart trob.

Chapter 6 : Smoke, Anger and madness

To be continued....


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