Part 3 (3)

The imperial sentinels executed the sentence immediately. They held Babida tight by his hands. He did not oppose any resistance and let himself manhandle.
The guards took him to a penitentiary in the underground of the Governor's headquarters. They unlocked the main entrance of the cave. It was lightly lit and not well-aired. They descended the stairs, opened the cell's door, and shoved the lumberjack inside.
One of the imperial sentinels expressed his regrets to him: "Sir, we pray that you get well soon. We wished you remained a freeman but we have a command to enforce." Done, they closed the portals and abandoned him in the penumbra.
The news of the imprisonment of the lumberjack propagated like wildfire. By the end of the afternoon, the whole Okunde had heard of it and passed on the bombshell to the neighboring villages: Okala and Ekule.
Suzie was frying duck eggs for lunch. Her grandma was sitting on the rattan chair and listening to the local radio.
"And now, dear auditors, we have breaking news from one of our correspondents on the field of the special imperial expedition in Okunde. Babida the lumberjack has been arrested by Governor Kola II for a reason that we can not provide for the moment. But the first information we have recounts that Governor Kola II sent the lumberjack to the forbidden mountain along with a sixteen-year-old warrior for a scout mission. The lad died under circumstances yet to be elucidated. The operation aborted and Babida returned to the barracks alone and burst into tears." The anchor reported.
Grandma was baffled by what just had gone through her ears. She yelled: "Oh my goodness! Suzie, come fast to the parlor!".
The granddaughter stopped her lunchmaking and hastened to big momma's position.
"What is the matter?" She interrogated the old woman.
"They just announced on the newscast that the lumberjack has been jailed by Governor Kola II for an unknown motive. They explained that he came back from a failed mission at that cursed hill and his comrade, a young lad who went with him, passed away under circumstances to examine." Big momma clarified to her.
Suzie's heart began to pound fast. She felt uncomfortable. Her state even worsened as a mysterious headache took her over.
"I need to sit down." She confessed to her grandmother who was reluctant as to how to handle her unwellness.
Suzie pulled a small wooden bench that was against the wall near the radio. She placed it next to her grandmother, sat, and leaned on the matriarch. The latter gently applied the palms of her experienced hands on her granddaughter's temples. Suzie was now getting better and better.
After a few minutes of big momma's therapy, she was entirely relaxed. She got off the bench and uttered to the astonishment of the old lady: "I am going to Okunde to free the lumberjack."
"It's unjust to be imprisoned after risking one's life for the fatherland. It's a pity that his young companion died but it was not said that it was his fault. They were on a highly dangerous mission and the Governor knew it." She defended herself.
Grandma looked at Suzie and was speechless. However, she did not show a sign of disapproval. She let her granddaughter speak her mind.
"I am heading to uncle Bibi's chalet to ask for his help. Hopefully, he agrees to travel with me to Okunde, and deliver the unfairly imprisoned lumberjack." She stated while putting the bench away.
Suzie had almost forgotten the fried duck eggs she made for lunch. As she was about to leave the house, she suddenly remembered: "Oh oh! The omelets!" She exclaimed.
"Sorry big momma! Let me serve you rapidly!" She confessed.
"Do you want it with flatbread or sticks of cassava paste?" She questioned the elderly.
"Whatever will be in my dish, I will gladly eat it, my little angel. Don't stress yourself!" Grandma replied.
Suzie returned to the kitchen and cut a big chunk of omelets which she deposited on her grandmother's assigned plate. She brought it to the eating table and uttered loudly: "Big momma, lunch is served."
"Thank you, little angel!" The old woman answered her.
"But before you go out, you better change your outfit and wear another one with a scarf preferably, so you can hide your face. In case you are caught in your endeavor, maybe you can have a chance to run away unidentified." She advised her grandchild.
"Yes, you are right, big momma! I will do it right away." Suzie approved.
She climbed to her room upstairs and after a short moment, she came back downstairs with a blue wax-made Abaya dress covering her neck to her ankle.
Her head was enveloped with a scarf of the same color and material as the robe. Only her eyes were visible. On her feet, she had put regular brown women's sandals on.
Grandma glanced at her and declared: "Ok, that's way better. Be careful, little angel!"
"I will. Don't worry big momma!" Suzie reassured her, then she left the house.