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

Chapter Thirty-Three

The past does not define me.

If looks could kill, Aylah was sure the Vizier would've dropped dead in an instant.

Kayi clenched his jaw, hands forming tight fists at his sides. "What'd you say to me? I'm not sure if I heard you." His voice was unnervingly steady, but his eyes threw daggers. Aylah took a slight step to the side, out of the older boy's way. She wouldn't mind Kayi slapping the Vizier.

This was the one thing that hit Kayi as nothing else did. He tolerated nothing against his mother. Ever.

The vizier took a step forward, looking down at Kayi. "I believe you heard me, Kayi Alp. You are the bastard son of a Mongol dog. And who knows if you are even actually related to Osman? Whose are you? The Mongol's or Alisar's?"

That was the final straw.

Aylah had never seen Kayi lash out. "Get my family's names out of your mouth, you worthless piece of shit! I am my mother's son and that is all. Unlike you, I belong to no one. I bet you have someone to hold your leash, that makes you kneel like a dog." Kayi hissed, tauntingly, pulling his arms out of their restraints.

The Vizier's nostrils flared at the insults, "Watch your words, boy. You are at my mercy!" Kayi smiled bitterly, "How about you watch your words, Vizier Hazretleri? If you listen closely, you hear me not caring, dog."

Orhan glanced at Kayi, eyes blown wide. He then looked at Aylah uneasily, he shook his head gently. This wouldn't end well.

Aylah did not see the slap coming. The Vizier cracked his hand across Kayi's face. His head whipped to the side at the blow, but when he lifted his head, his anger only increased. "Kayi!" Aylah gasped, eyes open wide, but Kayi didn't spare her a glance. "You'll pay for that, Vizier Hazretleri. I promise."

"Take them to the dungeon!" The Vizier ordered and they were pulled away towards the Inn. "Kayi, are you okay?" Orhan asked, worry laced in his voice, "I'm fine," Kayi replied gruffly. "Kayi-" "I said I'm fine, Orhan. Drop it."

Orhan sighed and Melike opened her mouth to speak, but her brother shook his head. Aylah could do nothing but follow behind him as they entered the dark dungeons. Aylah hated the place. It was far too dark, too damp, and too deep. A horrible combination.

The cell door opened and a hand pushed them inside, closing the door just as quickly. Melike immediately began to pace, "Great! Now, we're locked up in our own city all while our alps and our people are injured and martyred right outside. What are we supposed to do in here?" No one answered her question. Kayi was lost in his own thoughts and Aylah didn't have the courage to approach him just yet, she didn't want to be yelled at.

Aylah leaned back on the wall next to Orhan as Melike continued to pace. "Who? Who would do it?" Orhan whispered to himself, eyes searching the ground as if he would find the answer there. He then looked to Aylah, "Who would do something like that, Aylah?"

"I..." Aylah racked her brain for possibilities, but she couldn't seem to form a conclusion. "I don't know," She admitted, "It could be anyone, anyone who wants to take advantage of Osman Bey's absence." Orhan sighed, running a hand through his hair defeatedly.

"It couldn't have been the vizier, those arrows hit his soldiers too," Melike added in, crouching in front of them. "I wouldn't put it past him," Kayi said quietly without meeting their eyes, choosing to stare at the stone wall of the cell.

"Would he?" Orhan asked, entertaining the thought, "Sacrifice his own soldiers just to prove a point?" Orhan rubbed a hand over his eyes, "There are too many possibilities."

He was right. Aylah could come up with a dozen possible solutions. A dozen enemies waiting. A dozen traps. A dozen outcomes for her uncles and father. None of which were pleasant. If it wasn't for her dumb idea, they wouldn't be in a cell. Then, maybe, they would have been able to do something useful.

"How does Baba deal do it?" Orhan questioned, leaning his head back. Melike grinned slightly, finally sitting down beside them, "He's had loads of experience being a fugitive. He could probably run through this whole thing in his sleep." Orhan smiled, "What sleep? I don't think Baba's ever heard of it."

Aylah laughed quietly, resting her head on her crossed arms. "I asked him about it once," Kayi spoke, finally turning to look at them, his eyes were glassy, but he smiled. "I asked him if he actually ever slept." Kayi laughed slightly before continuing, "He said, "Sometimes when I sneeze my eyes close, does that count?"

The four of them broke into a fit of laughter. It was just something only Osman Emmi would ever say. Aylah always wondered how he managed to make silly jokes and turn around to make an elaborate battle plan out of nowhere. That was something Aylah didn't think she'd ever understand. She wasn't sure if even Baba had figured that part out. 

Orhan cleared his throat as their laughter came to stop. "It's late now, I don't think anyone is coming now. We'll have to figure something out tomorrow." Melike got up suddenly, "Do you guys hear that?" Aylah looked at her quizzically, maybe Melike had finally lost it.

"What?" Orhan asked, but Melike shushed him, "Listen." Aylah strained her ears and surely enough, the sound of horses pummeling against the ground could be heard.

Aylah stood up, walking to the barred window. Even on the tips of her toes, she was far too small to see anything. "Kayi, you're tall, come here!" Kayi rolled his eyes before walking over to the window and peeking outside.

A smile appeared on his face, and he began to chuckle. "What? Who is it?!" The three of them asked impatiently, "You were wrong, Orhan. There is one person who would come this late." Kayi replied, "Who? Just tell us already!"

"Turgut Bey." 

A/N: Ayy my other favorite dramatic, impulsive child is here! Let us take a moment to think about that one scene where Turgut has to save Holofira. My boy was going through a deja vu moment. The way he sighed when Holofira pulled the dagger on him, he's just like, "You're all the same. Mari used to do the same thing to me." My poor child. 

Also, episode 94 has broken me in all ways. The way Osman cried-  I don't ever cry for shows, but I kinda wanted to.

I hope you're all doing well. School is over for me, so I'll be updating more frequently.

As always, Salaam, and have a great day!

-Laraib