Sabır (Patience) - Kurulus Osman

Chapter 49

That beautiful face *sniffs*

The next day, Ceyda, Konur, Goktug, and the Alps left the cave and headed for the road that led to the Kayi Tribe, an area where Konur and Boran would usually meet with Osman in secret. From there, they would return to the tribe while Goktug would ride off to complete his duty. Upon reaching the secret place of the forest, they jumped off their horses for a break. Ceyda glanced around the woods, keeping her guard as Konur and Goktug talked.

"What are we doing now? Will we go to the tribe?" Goktug asked his brother who watched him with surprise and amusement.

"What happened? Did you miss the tent life?" Konur asked playfully, eying Ceyda from the corner of his eye as he wondered if she had anything to do with this decision.

Goktug smiled longingly. "So much, Abi. I missed it so much."

Konur sighed silently; he knew Goktug could not return just yet. He glanced at Ceyda and the Alps who prepared their horses. "We will go to the tribe, kardes. You will go to Alisar's kiosk. You will be on alert. If you hear something, you will inform us. It won't be good for you to come to the tribe now."

Goktug nodded in understanding and lightly sighed, but agreed nevertheless. He would fulfill his longing later. His longing for the fresh morning breeze, the sound of goats and shepherd bells clanking, the clean tents instead of stone walls, and deep down, his longing for Ceyda. "Eyvallah, Abi. Eyvallah. I've waited for so long; I can wait a little longer." He smiled and brought his palm to his chest, and Konur did the same, smiling as he watched Goktug stride to his horse.

Konur sighed in relief and jumped on Aslan, followed by the others. Ceyda smiled at Goktug, knowing he would be leaving now; she hoped to see him again soon, so they could all be together once more. He returned the smile, and his eyes lingered on Ceyda's when Konur's words brought him back, "Kardesim, be careful. We have many enemies."

Goktug smiled at his protectiveness. "If you have a brother like Konur Alp, even dragons can't defeat you. Don't worry about me, Abi. Men sometimes go and don't return; it's their destiny. If we don't meet today, we will meet one day. Hakkina helal edesin." He pressed his palm to his chest once more as Konur smiled proudly yet sadly at his determined brother and did the same. Goktug nodded and smiled at Konur, then Ceyda who returned it and galloped off to the kiosk, Konur's longing gaze following him. Ceyda smiled sadly at Konur, and as she was about to console him, Konur shook away his longing and ordered their leave.

As they were riding, Ceyda felt the itch to visit Dundar and his family by the Hills where they were tied up. To try speaking to them, showing them the truth, mending her relationship with her family. She sighed heavily and slowed down Kahraman as the others stopped as well, turning their horses to face her.

"What happened, Ceyda?" Konur asked, steadying Aslan from the sudden halting.

Ceyda shook her head and glanced around; fortunately, the Dark Hills were nearby. Konur repeated his question, and Ceyda answered, "Can we go to Hills please?" 

"Ceyda...we need to return to the tribe," Konur reasoned. 

"I know, but I want to see Dundar Emmi." 

Konur sighed and agreed, signalling to the Alps behind that they would change their direction. "Dumrul, Ayaz, lead us to the place Dundar Bey and his family are held captive," Konur ordered as they nodded and rode in front of them before taking a left at the intersection up ahead and galloping to the Hills with the rest.

---

"It's empty,"

Ceyda noticed as they stopped their horses at the road in the forest just before the area Dumrul and Ayaz led them, where Osman captured Dundar and his family. Konur and the others scanned the trees in front of them for the captives, but it was indeed empty. "Why is it empty?" Ceyda questioned, a hollow feeling slowly forming in her stomach.