Princess of the dawn

Chapter 27

The party rode back to the camp. An excited messenger was waiting for Bairam Khan there.

"Huzoor, huzoor!" he exclaimed when he saw Bairam Khan.

"What's so important that you yell at me like that?" he barked.

"Huzoor, I bring news from Lahore from your wife!"

"What about her?" Bairam Khan shouted tense! "So talk!" Was his wife well? She had been heavily pregnant when she moved to Lahore with Mariam Makani and her ladies.

"Huzoor, a healthy, strong boy saw the light of day in your house on 6 Dai of divine month."

The otherwise emotionless face of Bairam Khan covered a happy expression and he began to smile. He sank to his knees and began to pray. The bystanders followed suit and prayed for his son.

"Mubarak ho!" "Mubarak ho!" Congratulations were given and, full of gratitude, Bairam Khan announced a big feast for the next day. He hastily instructed the servants to prepare everything.

In his great joy, Bairam Khan had the court astrologers called to his tent.

"Noble scholars, I had you called to draw up the horoscope for my son."

"Give us time until tomorrow huzoor, then we will have carried out the calculations and can give you the horoscope."

Bairam Khan nodded graciously and a pouch of gold coins changed hands. The astrologers left the tent bowing.

"A son" thought Bairam Khan happily. "I have a son! A son to whom I can pass on the fruits of my labor and my title" he thought happily.

He filled a goblet with wine and raised it. "Shukriaa sahiba" he said happily and looked into the distance.Gratefully he drank the goblet in one gulp. Then he went to Jalal's tent.

Jalal lay on his bed and dozed off. The pain in his shoulder was bearable and he was enjoying the calm when the guards announced Bairam Khan. He wanted to get up.

"Lie down Jalal. Take rest."

"Khan Baba, mubarak ho for the birth of your son. We are very happy for you!"

"Shukriaa Jalal! Now I have a second son" said Bairam Khan happily. Jalal smiled.

"Jalal, I came to ask you if you would like to give the name to my son."

"Khan Baba, you should do that yourself!"

"No, Jalal I see the birth of my son as a good omen for our march and that's why I want you to give the name to him."

Jalal thinks about it. He saw the son of Bairam Khan as a late gift from God for his ataliq. That and his own deep bond with Allah made him choose one of the 99 names of Allah.

"May Allah always bless your son with mercy and friendliness. I give him the name Abdu-r-Rahim."

"Inshallah! I will officially announce the name at the feast tomorrow."

They both raised their hands and began to pray.

New day

A new, clear morning dawned. Preparations have been made for the celebration of the birth of Bairam Khan's son. The palace kitchen prepared fine dishes. Servants hurried around everywhere to take care of everything to the satisfaction. The court astrologers were announced in Bairam Khan's tent.

"Huzoor, the stars have been consulted, your son's horoscope has been calculated and created."

"What did you calculate? Are the stars favourably disposed towards to him?" Asked Bairam Khan.

"Ji Huzoor! The constellation of the stars says that your son will attain greatness and excellence."

"Thank Allah!" shouted Bairam Khan.

"He will be guided and exalted by his majesty, the alchemist of the jewel of auspiciousness. He will loyally stand by his side and render him noble service. He will attain great dignity, huzoor!"

"Which auspicious horoscope!" exclaimed Bairam Khan! "God bless his majesty and my son!" He raised his palms to his face and began to pray. The astrologers joined him. Then another pouch with gold coins changed hands and they vanished.

The rest of the day passed with the preparations for the big feast. As dusk fell, valuable carpets were spread out for the noble guests. Torches shone everywhere, food were served. Slowly the guests arrived and servants hurried around with carafes of winde to fill the goblets. Everyone stood as Jalal and Bairam Khan joined. Stools had been brought for both of them. Bairam Khan began to speak.

"Let's celebrate the birth of my son together. He was given an auspicious horoscope. He is heading for a excellent future. I asked his majesty to give my son his name." A murmur of surprise rose. "Jahanpanah, I ask you to announce the name of my son!"

Jalal looked around before starting to speak. Tense silence spread.

"We give the son of the noble Bairam Khan the name Abdu-r-Rahim!"

"Mubarak ho, mubarak ho!"

"May Allah always hold his protective hand over him!" called Jalal out.

"Shukriaa Jahanpanah!" said Bairam Khan. "And now let's celebrate!"

He clapped his hands and music came out of the darkness. Dancers in fine fluently robes stepped gracefully into the circle and began to sway to the beat of the music. Large plates of food were carried around and the servants served the guests with all kinds of delicacies.

The festivities progressed and the wine flowed freely. Jalal had also drunk his fair share of wine. He sat relaxed on his stool and watched the dancers. One of them danced conspicuously near him and gave him glowing glances. One or the other girl had already been brought to himself by one of the guests. Jalal sank into the music and suddenly he saw Jodha dancing in front of him. Her long black hair flowed openly around her slim body and smiling she looked at him with her hazel eyes. Jalal blinked bewildered with his eyes.

The vision was gone and he saw the dancing girl again. She moved closer to him. She looked questioningly at Bairam Khan. This nodded curtly and imperceptibly. She continued to dance towards Jalal, moving her flexible body provocatively in front of him. She spun around and swung her hips. With every movement her cleverly draped veil revealed more than it hid. Milky white skin flashed in her rotations and movements. Her red lips smiled seductively and her black rimmed eyes gave him hot looks. Jalal took another sip of wine and saw Jodha again. The girl stroked his cheek and continued her seductive dance. Jalal was in his own world. He allowed the girl to sit with him. She kept moving to the music and her hands grew bolder and stroked his hair, his cheeks, his shoulders. She moved even closer to him. Her dark eyes held him captive. He still saw Jodha. Her face was only a little removed from his. Her hands went to his cheeks and pulled him towards her. Her soft lips met his. Jalal awoke from the mist of his dream world, saw the girl and pushed her away. Startled she looked from him to Bairam Khan. Bairam Khan shooed her away with a wave of his hand. Jalal glared at her and she quickly got up and danced back to the other girls. Jalal gave her a disgusted look, got up, and went to his tent.

"Ya Khuda! What did this girl imagining to get close to him!" Angrily, he wiped over his lips and threw down a mug of water. And what kind of vision he had that been from Jodha! He cursed himself for indulging in the wine. Thoughtfully, he lay down on his bed and thought about the new feeling of desire that had briefly come over him. He didn't get very far with his thoughts. Sleep overwhelmed him. That night he dreamed of hazel eyes that smiled at him.

To be continued...

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