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

CHAPTER 27

"Kardas!"

Osman walked up to where Melike and Boran were about to help Goktug onto his horse. "Goktug, you do not look well," he observed. "You should stay here with Bamsi Bey in the fortress, and rest until you are better. Melike can stay too." Melike looked at her husband expectantly, waiting for his answer. He shook his head.

"I am fine," he said rather curtly. "I am fine, Bey. Do not worry about me. Once I mount my horse, the journey will be alright." Melike sighed, wishing that she could reproach him, but held herself back patiently. Osman frowned a little, but smiled all the same.

"Eyvallah," he said. "Eyvallah..." He turned away to speak to Bamsi Bey, and Melike gave Goktug's arm that she was holding a little squeeze.

"It is not too late to change your mind, Goktug'im," she said. "You should stay and rest." Goktug shook his head again. "I am alright, benim Melike'm," he said in a soft voice. "Please, do not worry too much for me." Melike nodded quietly, and Boran grinned. "Alright, Goktug, haydi," he said, as they turned towards Goktug's horse. "Come on, you can get on..."

Goktug got upon his horse with difficulty due to his wounds, and winced. "Goktug, are you alright?" asked Melike, placing a hand on his as he sat up upon the saddle. "I am fine," said Goktug dismissively. "I am fine..." Melike bit her lip, but she kept her silence as she got up upon her own horse, and took hold of the reins as Osman Bey readied himself for departure.

"Our job here is done," he announced. "Haydi. Come on, let us go to our tribe!" He mounted Karayel, and reared him up before breaking into a gallop out right out the gate. One half of the Kayis stayed behind and watched them leave, whilst the others followed behind Osman, amongst them being Goktug Alp, Boran Alp, Melike Hatun, Bala Hatun, Aygul Hatun and Osman Bey's new fiancee Targun Hatun, who had joined the fight to try and save her father, who apparently was in Nikola's captivity- though she did not succeed at doing so.

It was not a long way back to the tribe, but to Melike it felt like an eternity. She almost lost focus due to how many times Goktug nearly fell off his horse because of the weakness and weariness that his wounds had caused him, and had a right mind to ask them to stop at one point. But she did not, and in the end they did reach the tribe successfully, without needing to stop anywhere.

They rode into the tribe with their heads high and smiles wide- Osman's being the widest and brightest of them all. Their air of triumph spread into the atmosphere, and many of the tribespeople gathered round to cheer them as they stopped in the middle of the tribe, in front of Davut Usta's workshop.

He smiled up at them with his kind, elderly smile; "Do you have good news for me, Beyyim?" he asked, and Osman grinned back. "Of course we do, Davut Usta," he said proudly. "Of course we have good news for you." Davut Usta's smile widened, and young Ahmet pushed his way through the crowd to greet them.

"Welcome, Osman Bey!" he cried in greeting. "Hosgeldin!" "Thank you, my Ahmet Alp!" exclaimed Osman. "Thank you!" He then turned to Gence Bey, a man from the East who had chosen to join them in their battle and follow them to the tribe.

"Gence Bey, this is Ahmet Alp," he said. "He is our responsibility, and the tribe is his." Gence Bey nodded at Osman, and then at Ahmet, pressing his palm to his chest. Davut Usta spoke up again, after the short introduction was made.

"Bey, this looks like good tidings," he observed. "May I ask where this blessed aura comes from?" "With Allah's permission and in His name, we have successfully reconquered Kulucahisar Kalesi!" said Osman in a loud voice to announce to all the tribespeople around them. "Our ghazis are victorious, and now Kulucahisar belongs to the Kayis once more!"