GonBor- A Gonca hatun and Boran alp story

The Crew

Boran Alp P.O.V

"Bey'm, Boran, come look at this tree. It has your names on it so I assume you can tell me what it is," Goktug calls as we were practicing on the training field. I glance at Osman Bey before we both walk over to where Goktug stood, looking at the tree with interest. As I looked at the old, scratched bark of the tree, recognition sparks in me.

It was our tree, our meetup place since we were kids. Our Crew.

In the center was a Kayi symbol we had engraved with a dagger, and surrounding it was our names. At the bottom, under the Kayi symbol reads Osman, and next to it a sword. On the left above Osman's reads Boran, a bow and arrow carved next to it. 

On the right reads Konur, next to it a dagger. Above my name reads Aybars, next to it, a pen. Above Konur's name reads, Aslihan, next to it, a star. Above the Kayi symbol at the top, reads Savci, next to it is a book.

Osman Bey smiles, "It was our meetup place when we were younger, we used to call ourselves The Crew." Goktug nods, "That sounds... nice. I never had friends when I was growing up. Those bastards destroyed every bit of the child in me." I smile sadly, "You've always had a place in this group, Goktug, An honorary position."

I point to the line next to Konur's name, next to it is a small smiley face. Goktug raises his eyebrows in curiosity, "That spot was mine?" I nod, "Konur drew it, he said when we found you, your name would go there, and you would be a part of our group."

Goktug smiles, his icy eyes watering slightly. "What happened, you keep saying "were"?" Goktug asks, turning to both of us. Osman shakes his head, "Death, death separated us."

I continue for him, "We lost Aslihan first, Bamsi Bey's daughter, his first child. There was a plague that practically destroyed our tribe. It took Hafsa Hatun, Bamsi Bey's wife, and... Aslihan." Osman bey points to her name, "Her death near broke Aybars, and it took a toll on all of us. Aslihan was like an older sister to us all, always teasing us, messing around with us."

I sigh, remembering how quiet we were and how when met up by our tree, Osman asked, "Where's Aslihan?" It was a painful period of our lives, one we never seemed to forget. "So Aslihan was older than you two?" Goktug asks and I nod, "She was a year older than us, and Aybars was a year younger than us."

"It only got worse from there though, Aybars was never the same after that, he didn't talk as much, or laugh as much," Osman notes, reminiscing in the memory. I nod, "But we lost him too, only 6 years later, On his wedding day. My unfortunate kardesh'm Aybars."

Goktug nods, "Konur Abi told me about him after I joined you, it's upsetting though, Bamsi Bey outlived both of his children." I smile slightly, "I've always admired him for his strength." Osman continues the story, "And then we lost our Konur alp." Goktug inhales sharply, and I turn to him, "Don't think like that, Goktug," I say, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Just then the tribe's drums beat, signally someone's arrival. Osman Bey goes to the front of his Marquee while Goktug and I go to the gates. A tall man who looked like he was in his mid-30s trotted to the gate on a dusky gray horse. The man had a short black beard, and on his armor was a symbol of Kayi. 

(Any guesses as to who this man is?)

My brow furrowed as I kept a straight face, 'Who is this man?' "Selam Aleykum," He greets with a smile and I speak first, "Aleykum Selam, you wear the Kayi symbol on your armor, but I don't recognize you. Who are you?" 

The man lets out a low chuckle, and Goktug glances at me. "Do you not remember me, Okçu Çocuk (Archer Boy)?" 

I frown, Okçu Çocuk? Wait... only one person ever called me that name. "Turali?!" 

The man laughs, "Yes, Turali, I can't believe you forgot." Osman Bey walks up to us, upon seeing the confusion, "What happened, Boran?" "That's Turali," I whisper-yell and Osman Bey's eyes widen, "Come in, I need an explanation," Osman Bey says, waving him into the tribe.

Turali gets off his horse and another alp takes it to the stable, "And you must be Ertugrul Gazi oglu, Osman Bey." Osman Bey just nods, "Where have you been all these years?"He questions asking the same question I was thinking as we walk into the Marquee. Goktug looks incredibly confused, and I nudge him with my elbow, "I'll explain later."

"Goktug, go call Gunduz Bey," Osman Bey orders, and Goktug nods, leaving the tent. Osman Bey then motions for me to sit on one of the seats instead of my usual spot beside his chair. After a moment, Gunduz walks in with an equally confused look on his face.

"I assume you want an explanation," We all just nod. "I left the tribe when I was 19 for the mission assigned by Ertugrul Bey. I was to spy on the Mongols and get deep into their system. After Ertugrul Bey'm past away, I was in contact with Turgut Bey. And now after 18 years, I finished my duty and came back to my tribe."

Osman Bey nods slowly, and then calls to the guards outside, "Baysungur, go call Turgut Bey!" After a moment, Turgut Bey too enters the Marquee. "Turali?" Turali gets up, hugging Turgut Bey, when he sits back down, he speaks again, "You two were little kids when I last saw, you were 7 years old, I think." I nod, "That's why I couldn't recognize, it's been ages."

"And that man who was standing next to you, Boran. I have seen him before too, his name was Kongar." Turali says and I frown, "It's Goktug, Konur's brother, Goktug." Turali just nods, "So that's him, I've heard the story, it's tragic really." He says solemnly, and I sigh before nodding.

"So, what else have a missed?" 

A/N: Gee, calm down Turali, do you expect them to summarize 18 years in 5 mins?

So, what do you guys think of Turali here? I kinda randomly decided to bring him back.

Anyway, Salaam and have a great day!