Chapter 2 - Tales of glow
Ofor listened to the drumming in his chest as he watched the nine great villages cheer for him. Smiling, he backed what was easily the largest gathering of the Iboids ever seen as he turned to face another great marvel- a high seat made from pure glittering gold. The first ever built by his race.
He climbed the steps (built with ivory) that preceded the glorious seat as the thunderous cheering continued. Soon, he was close enough. He turned around and sat on the throne but it was what happened next that really shocked him.
The cheering suddenly stopped and everywhere was dead silent. Then the golden chair broke and the earth shook as the people laughed at him. The only way to let out his anger was to scream. So he screamed really loud till his throat began to hurt, cracking up. He then woke up.
Sounds of laughter from his compound greeted his ears. Although his room was quite dark, he could tell that the morning was at it's peak. He suddenly remembered his jobs for that morning. Chief Ide had instructed him to stop the elephant that continued to destroy crops in Ofonri. The other men chosen for the expedition were probably those waiting outside.
He briefly wondered about the dream he just had. Only one thing stuck with him. He needed to be richer than he was if he ever hoped to rule over the nine great villages. Becoming king, (though it had never been heard of before amongst his people ) had been a new obsession with him. He just figured out one more thing he would need.
His friend, Ibe had told him of the rumoured treasures of 'Underock'. So many hunters had searched for it, hoping to become rich but there hopes remained just that-hopes. It was even said that Odunze had hidden his treasures with a very great spell.
Ofor stifled a yawn, got on his feet, grabbed a piece of fresh wood to clean his mouth and came out of the hut. He greeted the men outside curtly, ignoring their rowdiness as they mocked his wake up time. Ofor went behind his hut, to his barn to grab his weapons. As he untied his gun, he marvelled at how fast he had recovered from the injuries the elephant inflicted on him. Okoro had done wonders to his health. His bones had been crushed but now he felt strong.
Ofor looked down for his matchette. What greeted his eyes instead were a pair of muddy feet. Obviously someone was hiding behind the barn. A chill ran down Ofor's spine as his heart skipped several beats but the wave of panic soon passed and it was replaced by the iron will he was known for.
He looked carefully for were the neck of the intruder might be. Once he was certain, he passed his left arm between two yams that hung on the barn and grabbed the neck. The hider struggled like a hen under its owner's grip.
" Who are you? " Ofor screamed. He called out to his younger sister, Nneka. She ran out to him, arriving just in time to meet Ofor pulling his culprit from behind the barn.
" Do you know him?" He asked her as he tightened his two fists on the man's neck. She replied that she didn't.
" Who are you?"
" I can't breathe" the man wheezed.
" Just say your name...Say your name!"
"I am Enyinnaya, son of Odunze." he wheezed again.
Ofor let him go and asked his sister to excuse them. Enyinnaya rubbed his neck, trying to relieve himself of the pain from the stranglehold.
" Your sister is pretty" Enyinnaya remarked. Ofor felt stunned in an annoying way like when a bee stings a man. He opened his mouth to speak.
" What? Are you going to marry her?" Enyinnaya said, cutting him short. He then stood slowly. Although Ofor looked upset, the 'Odunze' name still meant something in the nine villages.
Ofor asked him to wait a while at the barn.
" The men mustn't meet him" he thought.
He then sent off the hunters in his compound asking them to return, in the heat of the day, after it was noon. They agreed and left, giving him room to discuss with his guest.
After this, he brought Enyinnaya out of the barn and called for his sister.

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