The Jewel of Delhi

by Jurana Keri

Alfred, a freshman in college, is recruited to a summer archaeology program with Arthur, Francis, Ivan, and his roommate Matthew Williams and sent to China. However, the course of events change by one particular obstacle that instead lands them in India, where Alfred and his new friends experience the adventure of a lifetime. A tale of adventure, suspense, and romance.

13. Chapter 13

"What?!" Alfred exclaimed, approaching to two older Englishmen with worry in both his face and tone of voice. He peered down at the jewels that were lying in Mr. Winston's open palm. Remembering all of the diamonds and sequins sewn into the princess' clothes, he grew nervous inside, his heart moving up to his throat before he could speak.

"We got to find her!" he shouted, running away from the group.

"Mr. Jones! We do not know where she was taken!" Mr. Smith said, stopping him in his tracks so he could turn and look at them.

"We must warn the king!" Ivan suggested frantically. "I don't see this as turning out good." I swear, I'll kill anybody who tries to hurt her, Alfred thought as anger built up within him anxiously.

"Are we just going to stand here?!" Arthur shouted. "Where in bloody hell is the Maharaja?"

In a distinct rush, Alfred, Arthur, Francis, Matthew, Ivan, Mr. Winston and Mr. Smith ran frantically around the city square, desperate to find the Maharaja to warn him of his daughter's sudden disappearance. Alfred, being the most concerned about her because he loved her, shouted for her hopelessly with passersby staring at him as if he had two heads.

"Your Highness? Your Highness the Maharaja?" Mr. Winston and Francis each called out, hoping to come across someone who worked for the Maharaja if it were not himself coming to answer their calls.

"Maharaja!" Arthur called out, joined by Matthew, whose voice was weak in comparison to the cynical young Englishman. Meanwhile, Alfred ran around, searching in vain for Princess Amisha rather than the Maharaja.

"Princess! PRINCESS!" he exclaimed, calling out for her. "Princess Amisha! Amisha! Amisha!"

He fell to his knees on the stone-covered ground, panting heavily as apprehension filled his heart. Unbeknownst to him, Raja Kumar Chatur was snickering quietly and in a sinister fashion as he slowly withdrew a dagger from the sheath attached to his belt, looking at the blond young man who was on his knees with hatred and pure malice. Should I slit his throat now or when I take him with me to meet Ravi at the temple, he asked himself, deciding on whether to kill Princess Amisha's lover. Watching as Alfred continued panting, he looked around and ran off into the growing darkness of night.