Part 5 (5)

Thus the late Governor's aide-de-camp extended his hand in the air again and the warriors calmed down.
"Now, comrades, let's give a salute to our supreme Commander!" He yelled with great excitement.
The men in uniform went wild again as Babida popped up and got close to the balustrade followed by Suzie and uncle Bibi. The euphoria reached at that moment its peak.
The imperial warriors then kneeled to salute their new leader who greeted them back, standing.
The lumberjack thereupon took the floor and heartily spoke to his men: "Comrades, today His Majesty Batang V has chosen his humble servant that I am to pursue a great mission that had been started by the late Governor Kola II, may he rest in peace. We all know what the challenges in front of us are. It's time to get rid, once and for all, of all the dangers that disturb the tranquility of our land. Be prepared for the ultimate sacrifice if necessary!" He said to a troop that was very hot and together they screamed for victory.
His speech done, the lumberjack returned inside the Governor's headquarters with Polo and his companions, uncle Bibi and the young maiden Suzie.
They went back to the late Governor's aide-de-camp's office as the evening was about to fall in Okunde.
Before the first half of the night, the news of the nomination of the woodsman was spread across the empire.
Suzie's grandmother was alone in the chalet in Ekule village and was as usual sitting on the rattan chair, listening to the radio.
The matriarch wasn't paying much attention to the newscaster until she heard the name of Babida the lumberjack.
"...Jack will become Commander of the imperial forces on the third moon following the death of former Governor Kola II. His Majesty Batang V has decreed. Moreover, the Emperor will later promote the new Commander to the function of Governor shall he exterminate the empire's enemies, namely the newborn Monster and the evil bats." Grasped big Momma who was daydreaming.
She jerked and her focus was now at its fullest. She thought some spirits were trying to make fun of her.
So she opened her ears wide to listen to the newscaster again but he didn't repeat the information about the logger and was now giving other scoops about the empire.
"Zut! When is the next report session?" The elderly cried out, pissed off.
In Okunde, the Commander of the imperial forces to be, Babida, along with uncle Bibi and his crush Suzie contemplated the wild animal sculptures in Polo's office.
"What a beauty this Kigali leopard is!" said the lumberjack, amazed.
"Who is the author of such artistic perfection?" He asked the late Governor's henchman.
"My Commander, I regret I don't know much about him but the sculpture is more than fifty years old." replied Polo.
"Hmm... impressive!" The logger stated.
Toc, toc!
An imperial sentinel knocked at the office's door, then came in.
Polo and his visitors interrupted the sculptures' admiration and glanced in the direction of the entrance.
The imperial guard saluted them and uttered: "Pardon me dear Commanders but dinner is ready. You may come to the dining room."
"Oh, perfect!" Polo reacted.
The late Governor's henchman then glared at the Commander of the imperial forces to be, Babida and invited him to go for dinner along with his companions uncle Bibi and the young miss Suzie.
They all hence left the office and were escorted by the imperial sentinel to the canteen.
The guests entered the massive room and noticed a table at the other end filled with plenty of food.
There were almost all the delicacies that the Batang empire could offer. Nonetheless, Babida was more attracted by crabs and gombo sauce which he put in impressive quantities in his dish.
Uncle Bibi was also very hungry. The snake meat they ate in the afternoon had completely disappeared from his huge stomach. Like the lumberjack, the old man picked a great portion of crabs with gombo up which he mixed with fufu corn.
The young maiden Suzie felt a little bit embarrassed by the avidity of her companions, however, she refrained from saying any criticism in front of the host Polo.
She showed more manners and took just some boiled rice with fried fish and pepper. Contrary to her gluttonous companions, she ate with grace and style.
The host Polo was very satisfied, for his guests were having a great moment. He then ordered they brought palm wine, the most fermented one, so the evening would be even more memorable.
Not so long after his command, an imperial sentinel came with the most refined palm drink he had found in the Governor's headquarters' cave.
He handed over the bottle of the alcoholic beverage to Polo who uncapped it.
Puff!!! That was the sound of the opening of the container. For there was gas inside, some of the drink flowed out and poured on the ground.
A friendly atmosphere was created and everyone enjoyed the beautiful time.
After a few hours of eating, chatting, shouting, and sketching dance steps, they were all tired and felt sleepy.
The late Governor's aide-de-camp Polo ordered they take Babida and his companions to the guest apartments, which two imperial sentinels hastened to do.
They took the Commander of the imperial forces to be, Babida, to the most spacious guest room.
Thereafter they conducted uncle Bibi to the next one, smaller but also comfortable.
And ultimately, they lodged the young maiden Suzie in the ladies' guest room, almost as big as that of the lumberjack.
All the guests in their chambers, the guards returned to the late Governor's henchman Polo and reported to him that the visitors were nicely installed and in security.
Polo thanked them and asked them to leave, then went to rest as well.