Yeni Bir Kavga- A New Fight - Aylah's story

Chapter Twenty Two

~One Year Later~

"I swear that man gets on my nerves," Orhan grumbled in annoyance. New governors always meant two things. New friends, or new enemies. 

Aylah shushed him from where she sat next to him on the large dinner table in Sogut. The four did end up sitting together, on one side of Osman Bey and Bala hatun. It was against traditional seating, but Osman Bey seemed to be more concerned about the spontaneous random ideas the four always got together. 

"Stop shushing me," Orhan whispered, "Shush," Aylah whispered back, making Orhan roll his eyes. 

"I wonder when he's going to stop bragging about his trade routes." Melike mouthed to the two of them, so no one else could hear. "If even Gunduz Emmi is bored, then that's really saying something," Kayi mouthed next to Melike. 

Trade was mainly Gunduz Bey's thing which Aylah enjoyed making jokes about. Even though he found trade interesting, he looked bored out of his mind. It really made no sense to Aylah, even her father would say, "That's why I'm an alp and not a merchant, Aylah." 

Aylah zoned back into the conversation as people ate, "Honestly, Osman Bey, I expected much more from Sogut." The Tekfur, Yorgos said nonchalantly, making Aylah raise her eyebrows, sharing a glance with Orhan. 

Melike, however, frowned and opened her mouth, but Osman Bey set his hand on her knee gently, silencing her. "Every place has its deficiencies, Tekfur, we can only work to fix them." 

The four walked outside after the meal. Aylah kicked a stone with her boot watching it skitter across the dry ground. "Well, that was awkward," Kayi concluded, and they all nodded, "That guy needs some serious help." Melike said, wrinkling her nose, "Now, now, Melike, we can't be rude to our guests," Aylah chided playfully, making Melike snort, "Why, of course, don't we have to offer our guest sherbet?" 

Kayi snickered as Orhan carried it on, mocking an elegant accent, "And make sure it is pure as we wouldn't want anything to happen to our dear guests, would we?" "A touch of hemlock never hurt anyone, did it?" Kayi joked and Aylah held in a laugh, "Of course not! It only kills every other person who drinks it!"

The four burst into laughter, making a few bystanders stare at them in confusion, "Seriously though, never mention hemlock to Savci, he's curious about everything these days." Aylah said, trying to get her laughter in control.  Orhan nodded, "He asked Baba a super random question about swords, and I have never seen Baba look so concerned."

Melike laughed, "I have no clue how he comes up with these questions, but it's hilarious." Aylah raised an eyebrow, "He's five, he shouldn't be asking about how poison works, Melike." Aylah pointed out like it was obvious and then again, it was. 

Melike merely shrugged, making Kayi shake his head, "I bet Savci got these ideas from one of two people. Melike or Goktug Emmi." Kayi snickered as Melike shot him an offended look, "How is that my fault?!" 

"You're a bad influence," Kayi joked, "And you're annoying." Melike shot back and Kayi snorted, "So are you." 

"You're not funny."

"You're short."

"That's not relevant!" 

"You're not relevant." 

"I swear I'm going to punch in the face-"

"Can't. You're too short." 

Aylah glanced at Orhan who facepalmed as his sister and Kayi went back and forth. Kayi looked like he could keep going for ages. Kayi had gotten taller than the three of them, and it had become his main ammunition against them.

"You're still short."

"You can't keep saying the same thing over and over again, Kayi!" 

"Short."

Orhan let out a sigh that was halfway between amused and exasperated, "Why are they like this?" Aylah rolled her eyes at his complaining, "Orhan, you are literally the same way."

 "I'm not that bad," Orhan protested and Aylah gave him a look, "Keep telling yourself that." 

Something caught Aylah's eye as she looked past Orhan. One of the Tekfur's men dressed in dark blue clothing walked along the outer side of the bazaar, looking around with every step. "Up for trouble?" Orhan asked, following her gaze. "Always," Aylah replied. 

Aylah checked if she had her dagger. Her father relented and decided to give her a small one a little while back. He probably just wanted Aylah to stop taking his daggers, but oh well. The Tekfur seemed quite concerned that the four were equipped with daggers. He should be.

Orhan glanced at Kayi and Melike, and Aylah shrugged, "Let's just go, let them do whatever they want." Orhan nodded with a grin, "Let's go see what he's up to." 

 They crept around a corner of the other side of the bazaar, watching as the man looked around in paranoia. "If he's trying to spy, he's not doing a very good job," Aylah whispered and Orhan nodded, "Clearly, but it makes our job easier."

Aylah and Orhan kept up with the man, following him through the maze of stalls and merchants. Orhan slowed down as people started greeting him so their culprit wouldn't notice. "C'mon, c'mon he's stopping," Aylah pulled him back behind a stall as the soldier stopped, somewhat discreetly handing a roll of paper to a Muslim merchant.

Aylah exchanged a glance with Orhan who frowned and stepped out. They followed close behind the man, sticking to the outskirts of the bazaar. Aylah watched as the merchant handed the scroll of parchment to a cloaked man on a horse.

"He looks like he's about to wet himself," Orhan snickered at the look of fear on the merchant's face. "He should be scared," Aylah retorted and Orhan shrugged. "Would it be a bad idea to follow him?" 

"That would be an awful idea. Let's do it." 

A/N: Uh Aylah? Orhan? Are you guys really gonna... I thought we just established that was an awful idea-

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And please no one go and snitch to Osman, I have a feeling they're going to be in enough trouble already...

Salaam and Have a great day!

-Laraib