All I've Ever Known

Chapter 4

*Time skip - A week later*

Third Person POV:
Everything was surprisingly normal for the past few days. Osman allowed Orhan and Aleddin to talk to Zumra and hang out together. Osman no longer complained about Zumra and was more friendly with her (and by friendly, I mean not glaring at her whenever she entered the same room he was in and actually greeting her and holding a conversation with her however short it was).

However, it was only the calm before the storm, because the next day was the mongol attack.

Zumra, Orhan and Aleddin were training that day and were shooting arrows at the targets and laughing together (mainly because Aleddin nearly shot an alp a few minutes ago, which had everyone dying of laughter even the senior alps). When Osman interrupted the joyful mood with the stomping hooves of his horse and his stern and serious face. Trepidation washed over everyone, they all knew that something bad had happened by the look on Osman's face.

"Alplar, I wish I could have come here with good news and not ruin your mood but I bring only bad news." Osman said solemnly. The alps started muttering between themselves, hoping for the best and thinking the worst. Zumra looked between Orhan and Aleddin and asked "do you know what this is about" but they both shook their heads and looked as clueless as everyone felt. "The Mongols have attacked one of our castles and are on their way here to attack the palace." Noise burst out of everywhere with questions being thrown left and right asking "what do we do my bey" and "how are we going to stop them" accompanied by fearful and determined faces.

Osman replied "with Allah's help and mercy we will get through this we have to be patient and bow down to no one except Allah. We will show these mongols what we Turks are made of. Allahu Akbar." All the alps repeated "Allahu Akbar."

While all the alps were running off to go prepare for battle Orhan, Aleddin and Zumra also joined them but Osman said "stop" to the three of you. They all turned back to Osman with confused expressions. Osman said "Aleddin and Zumra you two are not going." All three of your eyes widened and Zumra and Aleddin looked at each other bewildered and frustrated. Aleddin turned back to his father asking "why can't we go, we're alps we should go into battle.". Osman replied "you two are not fully trained alps yet and your too young. You don't know nothing about battle." (They were both 20 years old) Zumra and Aleddin both shouted "yes we do" while Osman raised his eyebrow challengingly. "So when we go into battle you two won't disobey me at all you will listen to my orders?" Osman asked. Zumra and Aleddin spluttered and stuttered. "That's why I'm not taking you two" Osman said.

Osman rode off with the alps while Zumra and Aleddin both spluttered in indignation behind them. Orhan got onto his own horse and looked apologetically towards Aleddin and Zumra and said reassuringly "sorry, maybe next time you guys can join us. I can't wait to fight with you guys together."

Orhan rode off to join Osman and the rest of the alps. Zumra and Aleddin both clenched their fists as they watched them go and stormed off back to the training field.

"Why can't we go with them, this is so unfair" Aleddin complained while slashing his sword at a wooden target. "They think we're still children that's why" Zumra angrily replied while she shot her arrow at at the target a few feet in front of her. They both kept on going like that for a few minutes until Aleddin looked at Zumra with a look of realisation. Zumra shot her last arrow and glanced at Aleddin and took a double take when she found him already staring at her.

"What's wrong with you?" Zumra questioned Aleddin. "I have an idea" Aleddin told her with a smile on his face. "Oh yeah, what's your idea" Zumra replied indulgently while she went to collect her arrow from her target. "We sneak out and follow my father and brother to where the Mongols are and subtly join in the fight so everyone can see how skilled and grown up we are" Aleddin said proudly. Zumra pulled her last arrow out of the target and burst out laughing at what Aleddin said.