Pilgrimage of Amir

Pilgrimage of Amir
Original title	Pilgrimage of Amir and his quest to the Great Craitgod
Language	Common Tongue
Author(s)	Gustaaf Vermeylen
Genre	Historical narratives
Location(s)	Çakaristan Craitland
(main) character(s)	Amir Çakar
Timeframe	1692 AN and onwards

The Pilgrimage of Amir is a story series in which Amir Çakar goes on a pilgrimage to Craitland. It describes the journey and the experiences of the main character.

Temporary exemption

Sitting on a throne, Amir played with a sword. He knew that his mission embraced more than Kendall Isle, but the new responsibilities to govern his royal state came to him. He had to meet for days, had so many responsibilities and meetings. The walls of his palace approached him. He wanted to leave, but he could not. He thought of his younger brother: what should it be like for him? He had his royal state, but Abu had a whole sultanate. He was not at all jealous of his younger brother. Perhaps because of his beautiful wife, but nothing else. The next delegation entered the Chamber. A model of a temple had been made on a mobile table. The temple for the great Craitgod, which was to be built in Çatalyokuş. While the advisor was talking to the initiators, Amir was actually not listening. He was deeply absorbed in thought when he suddenly said: "What does Craitland really look like? While the echo of Amir's question reflected, it remained silent afterwards. Nobody actually knew the answer. After a while Amir said: "Then somebody has to go to Craitland to look there, doesn't he? The advisors nodded at each other, but no one stepped forward to make themselves available. Amir sniffled and said: "Then I'll go, won't I?" The advisers and the delegation did not dare to answer.

The next day Amir flew to Agra. There he met his older brother Hasan and of course his younger brother the Sultan. Hasan's fiancée and the Sultana waved the men off when they left the Red Fortress on horseback to ride through the hills. For the first time in years the brothers went out together. They used to go camping, now they only go horseback riding for a few hours. All three of them realised that the restlessness of their youth was really over. But just smelling the freedom, that was the idea. "What is it like to be a father, my brother?" Hasan asked his youngest brother. Abu thought for a moment: "There are emotions and feelings that happen to you, which you could never think you could experience. It is impossible to describe what it does to you when you become a father. Many men conceive children, but not all of them become fathers. Not all are worthy of being called fathers, but for those men who become fathers, there are no words to describe the richness of compassion, love, pride, affection, offering protection, responsibility, recognition, insecurity, finding a new purpose, lifelong commitment, shifting priorities, self-sacrifice, and so on and so forth." Amir began to smile.

The three brothers stopped at a flowing stream. They descended from their horses, distracting them to let them drink. They also sat down for a moment. Typical Çakari sweets appeared, drinking and other refreshments. They laughed together, they had forgotten their present positions for a moment in their being together. That disappeared when Amir nervously asked Akbar: "Can I be temporarily relieved of my mission to go on a pilgrimage to Craitland?” Akbar was amazed at the question, thought for a moment and answered: “Well, climb Mount Horn on The Fifth Isle. Tell us about Craitland, because there are still mountains to conquer in Çakaristan". Amir did not really expect his brother, the Sultan, to agree. But he began to smile gratefully, did not say a word for a few moments. "Thank you," stammered Amir. Hasan looked at Akbar and asked: "Why do you agree?” Akbar answered: "You have found your joy in a woman, Amir is still alone. Let him climb mountains, for who knows how many mountains there are between him and his destination". Hasan was not so poetic, but left it at that.

The women, Jodha and Manikarnika, had organised a home reception together with the court ladies. With song, dance, music, food and drink the three brothers were welcomed at the Red Fortress. Their arrival was as if they had returned from a long journey or even as if they had come home from a battle. As if they were gone for days, weeks or months. Amir saw how happy his brothers were with their women. The ladies in the court made Amir very graceful, but he had little eye for them. Instead of returning, he would leave. Leaving for an unknown country, the land of the great Craitgod.

Adarani	Transliteration	Translated in Common Tongue
अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला साजन आयो री मोरा अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री मोरा अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला साजन आयो री छनुक पूराओ मंगल गाओ छनुक पूराओ मंगल गाओ अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री मोरा अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला साजन आयो री अंग सुघंधित मन आनंदित अंग सुघंधित मन आनंदित चहूँ और रंग बरसाओ चहूँ और रंग बरसाओ री अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला साजन आयो री मोरा अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री मोरा अति मन सुख पायो री अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला साजन आयो री अलबेला..	albela sajan aayo ri albela sajan aayo ri mora ati mann sukh paayo ri albela sajan aayo ri mora ati mann sukh aayo ri albela sajan aayo ree.. chauk puraao mangal gaao chauk puraao mangal gaao ati mann sukh paayo ri albela sajan aayo ri mora ati mann sukh paayo ri albela sajan aayo ri albela sajan aayo re.. ang sugandhit mann aanandit ang sugandhit mann aanandit chahun aur rang barsaayo chahun aur rang barsaayo ri albela sajan aayo ri albela sajan aayo re mora ati mann sukh paayo re albela sajan aayo ri albela sajan aayo ri	my unique beloved has come, my heart has found deep joy. clean and decorate the courtyard, sing auspicious songs, the body is fragrant and the heart is happy, in all directions there are colors raining.. my unique beloved has come, my heart has found deep joy.. my unique beloved has come.

It is cold there

Still Amir was surprised that the Sultan allowed him to go on a pilgrimage. But optimistically Amir went to work making preparations. First he went back to Lyzij. There he appointed a Regent to act for him. He gave instructions for the division of provinces, regional administration and building up the infrastructure. But also his plan for democratisation. When that was settled, Amir flew to Agra.

In Agra, he met Ana al-Zamard. He asked her to advise the Sultan to conclude a treaty with Jingdao on the Antican Sea. This was to define terrorist waters and exclusive economic zones. There should be no friction among allies, while it could be easily arranged. He also asked Ana to look after the gas needs of Jabal al-Mada', when that part of the treaty is settled. Ana promised to do so.

Since Ana has a lot of experience about many countries on Micras, he asked her about Craitland. "The culture is different there, it is cold there, but the people are warm," Ana told him. The next day, Amir went to visit Craitland's ambassador in Agra. Ersan Dóla received the Sultan's brother with all egars. He was very honoured. Amir asked him about Craitland when they had a private moment. The ambassador was praising his homeland, despite the fact that his hometown was now under a different flag. Amir was asked to dress warmly. "It's cold there," Ersan said. Amir had to chuckle, everyone said that. Amir asked further, about what to do and especially what not to do. Ersan answered Amir's questions, so their meeting lasted for hours.

A few days later, Amir left for Çakarabad for the upcoming wedding of his brother, Hasan to his fiancée, Manikarnika. After that wedding, Amir was to leave for Craitland. For that, he first had to go to Manbai by train, because a Craitish airline has Manbai as one of its destinations in Çakaristan.