Part 8 (2)

Babida the lumberjack was done feasting with his henchman Baba in the backside of the administrative headquarters and it was now time to digest the tasty grilled sheep meat that he had sacrificed to please the ancestors and prepare for the long journey to Ekule the next day morning.
"Now comrade, let's have some rest! Tomorrow right after dawn, we shall embark on a long trip to the imperial city." The woodsman told the youngster, Baba.
"Fine, My Commander!" answered the interim aide-de-camp.
Baba then rose and went to his room inside the administrative headquarters, leaving behind the Commander of the imperial forces Babida alone with the carcass of the slaughtered sheep.
The lumberjack rapidly cleared the place, for it was dirty and bloody after the sacrifice of the mutton and its grill.
Done, Babida went immediately to the main guest room inside the administrative headquarters that had become over the days like his private room.
He picked up from the wardrobe two brand-new military outfits and a pair of sandals and packed them in a bag along with all the necessary kit for the shower.
He then stood up in the middle of the chamber and began to verify by counting with his fingers if he had forgotten something important.
When he was assured that everything was on track, he jumped on the bed and dozed.
Cocorico! Cocorico!
A hen sang as the day was about to break.
Cocorico!
The bird repeated its song and Babida woke up, sluggish.
Though he was still sleepy and wanted to stay longer in bed, the invitation to the imperial palace was far too important to mess it up by not showing up before His Majesty and hence offense the Ruler.
So after a short moment resisting falling asleep again, Babida finally rose and went to bathe.
Done gearing up, the logger took his baggage and left the room.
He arrived in the hall of the administrative headquarters and met the young henchman Baba who had long been ready to depart with him to Ekule.
Babida was pleased by the youngster's early readiness. They exchanged a few casual words before climbing on the back of a camel and starting their journey.
Just before the fall of the night, the Commander of the imperial forces Babida arrived at the east gate of Ekule accompanied by his aide-de-camp Baba.
They had all day long been on the way to the imperial city. They were extremely exhausted, and so was the camel that carried them and their loads.
At the sight of the Commander in chief, the imperial sentinels at the barricade lined up in front of Babida and gave him a warm military salute.
"Greetings, My Commander! Welcome to Ekule!" said the leader of the squad to the lumberjack as he placed his right hand on the temple before slamming powerfully his thigh with the same hand.
"Thank you, comrades!" replied the superior army Chief Babida who greeted back the imperial guards.
"You may continue your journey." The leader then said and ordered one of his comrades to open the gate.
Babida and his henchman Baba crossed the checkpoint and were now en route to the center of Ekule.
As they were about to penetrate the bustling streets of the mythic downtown of the imperial city, the inhabitants recognize the lumberjack, and very quickly a massive crowd formed around the Killer of the Monster of the forbidden mountain.
"Babidaaaa!" They hailed the name of their hero tirelessly and were extremely excited.
Quickly the road became narrow and it was difficult for the Commander of the imperial forces to move the camel in the middle of the mob.
Emperor Batang V who was sitting in the palace's hall was informed about the arrival of his army commander and was very contented.
He ordered that they arranged immediately the finest guest room of the lunar palace and lodged the holder of the medal of the highest honor and merit there and that early in the morning they brought the man before him to the reception venue.
The palace's servants hastened to do what the Ruler had commanded.
Though Babida was slowed down by the excited crowd, he finally reached the entrance of the imperial palace where the sentinels were already lined up to give him the most agreeable welcome they could.
The leader of the squad at the sight of the superior Commander ordered his comrades to play the trumpets as he saluted Babida who got down the camel along with his aide-de-camp Baba.
The woodsman greeted back the leader of the imperial guards who instructed a comrade to take the animal with the visitors' luggage and escort the latter to the main guest room of the palace.