Princess of the dawn

Chapter 35

Amer

After her sword practices, Jodha sat on her balcony in front of her chamber and leafed through a book about medicinal plants that Narayana had given her. The splashing of the fountain in the garden below made her sleepy and slowly her eyes closed by the calming sound of the splashing water. She was sitting in a sunlit clearing. Next to her is a young man leaning against a tree. He brushed a strand of her hair from her face behind her ear and put his palm on her cheek. Their eyes met and lost in each other. She closed her eyes, embarrassed. Her cheeks burned as she felt fingers gently brush her eyebrow and cheek. Suddenly his palms touched her cheeks and slowly pulled her towards him. She didn't dare to open her eyes. She could feel his breath....

"Jodha!"

Jodha startled. Her breath was quick.

"Jodha!"

"Moti! What is it?" she asked confused.

"You should come to your mother. She has something to say to you."

"What? Yes, tell her I'll be right there. I must have fallen asleep huh! "

"Well, don't wait that long." Moti was gone again.

"What kind of dream was that?" she muttered. Her breathing was still fast and she quickly took a sip of water to calm herself down. "Somebody wanted to kiss me!" She blushed heavily! The scene played out again in her mind's eye. Dark eyes looked deep into hers. His eyes! Jalal! It went through her. The ring! She raised her hand. But nothing happened. Kanha! She put her hand over her mouth and shook her head. "He appeared to me in a dream again!" she thought, embarrassed. "Why did I take the ring? He's a Mughal, I'm a Rajput! What was I thinking!" "But you get on well with him and he also looks good," said an inner voice. "Huh, where did that come from?" thought Jodha. "Fate has decided!" It echoed in her head. "What do you mean?" she muttered. The voice was silent. Jodha looked at the ring, confused. "Fate has decided!" "What did fate decide?" she asked herself. „I and the Mughal ruler? Hardly likely!" Her father would choose a Rajput kunwar for her. She knew that various proposals had already been received from neighboring principalities. She knew some of the princes. None of them impressed her. She had asked her father to wait a little longer. To Padmavati's chagrin, he had agreed her wish. She obviously couldn't wait to get rid of Jodha to create a free path for Sukanya and Shivani. So far the Raja had not discussed it further. She quickly shook off the unpleasant thoughts and made her way to her mother.

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Lahore

Jalal enjoyed the ride in the company of the soldiers. They passed the time with sword practices, archery and went hunting. No courtly constraints, no endless discussions and, above all, no intrigues and mistrust! In the evenings they sat around the campfire, ate their game and exchanged views on weapons and the art of war. Now they rode through the outskirts of Lahore. Slowly they approached the fort. The streets and alleys were bustling with activity. Traders loudly advertised their goods. The colorful displays of the silk merchants were a feast for the eyes. Customers noisy haggled over the cheapest price. Food was offered for sale. Shortly afterwards they reached the fort.

"Guard, take us to the governor!" Jalal ordered. The soldier eyed him suspiciously. Who was the presumptuous lad who wanted to be brought to the governor?

"Who are you?"

"Let us pass!" interjected one of Jalal's companions. "You are talking to His Majesty Jalal-ud-din Muhammad! We are the vanguard of the imperial army that will arrive in a few days." The guard looked at him in disbelief and bowed quickly.