Chapter 2

Achike the collector

No one knew the pain of war as well as Odunze, the great priest of Alammiri, did. He sat in the center of his earthen palace under a canopy built with rafia palms in the company of his friend from Ituku, Anayo. The entrance of the canopy was guarded by two hefty warriors who were as dark as coal, tall as giants, and held long spears.

While Anayo chattered, Odunze kept admiring the special stick his friend had brought from Ituku. He stared at it with his two wide white- circled eyes in priestly fashion. Anayo had just told him how Ituku was becoming the richest amongst the iboid tribes. Odunze could sense the envy in his voice despite the raucous laughter that tried to cover it. He felt it too.

He examined this great weapon that sounded like thunder, shot like an arrow and killed like the spear. Odunze remembered the days past with a smile. How he had run! How he had fought! Swifter than the eagles and sharper than iron! Now he looked much older. If only his father had allowed him continue in the ways of the warrior and become chief. In the open, he served the gods as well as he could but in private he had his regrets. Odunze kept the 'stick' beside him. He had a stern look while Anayo informed him that they were called 'guns'.

For years, no one had challenged Alammiri as the seat of the gods amongst the nine great villages. But with Ituku's growing wealth, it was only a matter of time. What no one else really knew was how much the gods had been involved in Alammiri's power but Odunze knew all too well. Although the gods hadn't shown him who these strange creatures with whom Ituku traded were, the remembrance of them haunted him.

At eleven years of age, he was taken. His father, owoghiri had entered into a land dispute with the fierce chief of umuobia. One that day, while he was with his mother, the lion-like men of umuobia attacked their farm. The servants of his father and the hired workers ran away, leaving his mother and himself. Ezinne was not able to get far and so she was taken; her son with her. Odunze still couldn't remember any of these.

What Odunze could remember actually happened seven years later. He was in ropes under the cruelty of some strange looking 'gods' who had no colour of skin. They kept flogging but never spoke a word to him. He was not alone but he felt a deep loneliness. He cried to the gods for mercy. He cried so loud, he fainted in grief, feeling his spirit leaving his frail body. The next day he woke up alone. He wasn't sure what had happened but for the painful wounds on his body he could have sworn it was an evil dream.
" My son! My son!" Ezinne had shouted when she saw him. He felt ashamed when she hugged him. Ashamed that he couldn't remember his own mother but he was too exhausted.
They returned to Alammiri where he quickly became a great warrior. Together with his father and three brothers; Achor, Achike and Ogugu they conquered umuobia, umukabia, Amankwe, okiri and obiadi in fierce battles.They couldn't head further east because of the fearless chief Ide and his brave nephew, Ofor. All the same, the nine great villages could feel the power of the gods in Alammiri. They saw how fierce they were and how swift! So they sacrificed to their gods every year and Alammiri flourished for it. People from far and wide brought gifts to the great priest of Alammiri and sought his blessings.

The warriors of Alammiri were known for one thing. It was speed. They were like the wind. No one understood where they came from and they could not be stopped. They cleared everything in their path.


Odunze was the secret behind that speed. His air had driven the men to listen to everything he told them about food and war. Odunze had told them to abstain from all meat two months before battle. Each of them had to run seven miles to the great shrine of Alammiri carrying heavy sacrifice items in just a single day. It was his idea but it worked. The gods gave them speed. He believed he deserved to be Chief.

However, the great priest had told owoghiri that his first born son, Odunze, was to succeed him as great priest. Such was the demands of the gods at that time. They could not be refused not even by a powerful chief. Owoghiri obliged and told Odunze, his first son that he won't be chief but Achike should be chief in his stead. This had greatly displeased him. He swore he would still be Chief one way or the other. Thereafter, he quickly learnt to serve the gods under the great priest and replaced him years later. But once his father died, he declared the chiefdom vacant. He told the people that the gods had not chosen a replacement yet.
" Have you heard Of Nkoli?" Anayo asked.
" She is Ofor's new object of affection"
" You are truly wise my friend. But do you see the opportunity here?"

Odunze managed a grin. He knew his friend all too well to understand his thoughts. Achike would need to bring a beautiful maiden as a sacrifice to the gods if he must be chief. Odunze had told him it must be Nkoli. She was the chosen one but it was mischief. Odunze knew all too well that Ofor wouldn't stand for it. He hoped there would be a match and he knew all too well who would emerge victorious. All the same, Achike was told what he must do and he agreed without hesitation. He who would be chief must be valiant!

Achike travelled from Alammiri to Ofonri, crossing rivers and great hills. He had two strong men with him who were blessed by the gods with speed. They had guns, spears and matchets. The journey took three market days when it should have taken four market days more. When they arrived Ofonri's forest, they overpowered a young hunter. They forced him to reveal everything about the maiden, Nkoli. They listened to everything he had to say and took him to a bushy hill top near the river. They promised to release him if he could identify her whenever she came to the river.

Everyone came to the river at one point or the other, so they waited. After three market days, he identified her through the thick bush. Once they were satisfied, they promptly stabbed him and watched her closely at Agbaji river.

On that day, the river was teeming with many people. Grabbing her there was not the Alammiri way. They needed to avoid the people's ire. So they waited patiently, in ambush, for her to return from the river. She took too long. After they had confirmed privily that she had left the stream, they combed the bushes and found her with a man that looked like no warrior. This man saw them.

Achike swung into action he grabbed his spear and braced for a throw. The lady screamed loudly but he wouldn't be deterred. He missed his target. The cowardly one had tripped and fallen just before the spear could pin him down . The maiden tried to help him up while screaming for help.
" Ofonri eeh!"
As the couple tried to run, one of Achike's companions pulled his gun but he objected.
" We need her alive!" Achike shouted.

To be continued....
© Dpain