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 |
albela sajan aayo ri |
my unique beloved has come, |
