Kabul - Acceptance: Sequel to 'Yasak - Forbidden' (A Goktug Alp Love Story)

CHAPTER 4

Evening was falling.

The sun was setting.

Gunduz Bey, his Alps and Melike were getting desperate as they followed Osman and Goktug's tracks into the woods. They rode through the highlands, through the thick flora as they followed any traces they could find. But alas, there was no sign of either of the two people they were looking for.

Gunduz Bey inhaled sharply, then exhaled heavily when they got to yet another dead end, his exasperated and tired voice being the only thing that broke the silence and eerie serenity of the woods. "Dead end again," he muttered. He turned to his Alps and Melike, who were still looking around for tracks of any kind. "Boran, we may need to turn in for the night," he said as he walked up to Boran. "We do not seem to be getting anywhere. Do you know if there is a place where we can take shelter?" Boran nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, there is a cave nearby," he said. "We have travelled across these lands before, I am sure we must have taken shelter in it at one point." Gunduz nodded, and after discussing with Boran the whereabouts of the cave, he had everyone board their horses to travel once more.

Melike groaned inwardly, annoyed that they still had not found Goktug. She could not help being worried for him as she always was, but she had to do her best to stay professional and formidable so she could keep on looking with Gunduz Bey and the Alps. She was worried for Osman Bey too, of course- someone must have put in a lot of effort to try and lure him out of the tribe to capture him, and possibly kill him.

"Who do you think it was, Gunduz Bey?" she asked Gunduz, when they had begun to slowly make their way through the woods again. "Do you think it was the one who brought the message to us?" "I think you are probably right, Melike Baci," said Gunduz grimly. "It must've been Kuzgun Bey, unless he too was lured into the trap." "He's from the Cobanolugllari Tribe, is he not?" asked Boran uneasily. Gunduz stole a look at him, before sighing and turning away. "Yes," he said. "That is why Baba had Hazal Hatun arrested. He holds the Cobanolugllari responsible." Boran and Melike looked at each other, then at the rest of the Alps, all of whom looked rather concerned and uneasy.

After they made their way to the main path, Gunduz had them break into a gallop, and they began to ride through the woods at top speed as he led them toward their initial shelter area.

But before they could get any further, Dumrul suddenly cried out, "Gunduz Bey, wait!" They all stopped, looking at him in confusion. "What is it?" Gunduz demanded. "Did you see something?" "No, but I heard something," said Dumrul, and they all went silent to listen to the silence. They heard nothing, except the faded volume of the evening song of the chirping birds, and cicadas. That was, until-

"I will end you sons of bitches!"

"Goktug!"

Melike gasped aloud, her heart leaping with happiness and intense relief when she recognized husband's voice as he cursed at his captors. Gunduz Bey's eyes widened, his expression overjoyed and relieved. "Come on," he said, and got off his horse. The others followed suit, getting out their weapons. They stayed quiet to listen a little longer, and when they heard voices again they immediately followed the direction they were coming from. Melike had her bow and arrow ready, as they pushed through the shrub and plants, and between the trees. They eventually got to the edge of a miniature valley, and she felt her heart fly with joy when she saw Goktug, alive and well- she knew he was well, from the way he was snarling at the soldiers who held him captive. She felt a surge of fury, realizing that they were dressed in the armor of Turk Alps, and her shared suspicions with Gunduz Bey about the Cobanolugllari being responsible heightened.

"We'll surprise them," whispered Gunduz Bey. "Be quiet, and only shoot on my command." "As you order, Beyyim," said Boran, as he too, held his bow and arrow at the ready.