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

CHAPTER 14

A/N: Warning- this is a pretty violent chapter. Read at your own risk

"Melike?"

Goktug entered their tent without getting an answer from her, and looked around; his wife was nowhere to be seen. He frowned- she had not been present in the tribe when he had arrived, and she had not appeared even after Geyhatu had left.

Mongke's treachery had been revealed after a long discussion in the Bey's Marquee, and Geyhatu executed him on the spot, despite Mongke's pleas for forgiveness. The Mongols had dragged his body out of the tribe ungracefully, and Goktug knew that even in death, his corpse would meet a very unholy fate, as he had directly committed treason against his father, and the Khan of the Mongols. But the revelation of Mongke's treachery had actually made Geyhatu very impressed with Osman Bey and Savci Bey, and he had forgiven both and chosen to leave the Kayi Tribe alone. He left with his soldiers right after, without harming anyone, which was indeed a surprise to the tribespeople- but also a major relief.

Goktug himself had been pardoned, and he was free to stay in the tribe. He had gone looking for Melike to tell her the news, but could not find her. He was then told that she had left for Kulucahisar earlier on Ertugrul Bey's orders- it was so she could cover Gunduz Bey's duties for him, as he was wounded and bed-ridden.

Goktug and Boran had left the tribe afterward for a short but successful hunt, and brought back quite a bit of game that they were going to ask Melike to cook for their dinner, but by then she had still not returned.

Goktug looked around their tent, confused and concerned. "Melike?" he called out again, putting the sack of wild birds that he and Boran had caught on the ground, near the door of their marquee. "Where is she?" he wondered aloud. "She has never been out this long." His brow creased further and he left his tent to go to Boran's just in front of them; "Destur, Boran?" he called out, and Boran answered with, "You can come in, Goktug!"

Goktug entered his tent to find Boran sitting on his bed, looking very clean as he fixed his hair. His blue eyes widened; "My, Boran Alp, what is the occasion for you to look so clean?" he asked, surprised. "And so quickly too- we just returned." Boran smiled at him. "I must always look presentable, Goktug," he said in a pompous voice- though of course, he had an ulterior motive for looking neat. "I always take care of how I look- unlike you, still covered in leaves and dirt." Goktug looked down at his armor and clothes, and exhaled heavily. "I will bathe later," he said dismissively, shaking his head. "But that is not why I came here."

"Then why did you?" asked Boran. "Not just to see your friend?" Goktug did not smile, and Boran's playful grin faltered slightly. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. "Did something happen?" "I cannot find Melike, Boran," said Goktug, grimacing as Boran stood up and walked over to him. "She has not returned to the tribe." Boran frowned. "Not yet?" he questioned, and Goktug shook his head. "Allah, Allah...that is a very long time she has been out. She has not been here since we arrived earlier, and she still has not returned."

"I am getting worried," admitted Goktug. "Even if she was very busy, she would make sure to tell me, send an Alp to inform, perhaps. But now it is like...she disappeared." Boran's lips thinned; "Maybe she did return, and went out to look for us whilst we were hunting?" he suggested. Goktug shook his head. "Then she would have found us," he said grimly. "We were not far from the tribe, and everyone knew where we were going. And Melike especially could not, and would not have gotten lost."

"I agree," murmured Boran. "Something is not right...she should be here by now. She should have returned- at least before sunset." "Maybe she is with Bala Hatun?" Goktug wondered. "Should we go check?" "Good idea," said Boran, and the two left the tent immediately, only to come face-to-face with Gonca Hatun.