Yasak - Forbidden (A Goktug Alp/Kongar Love Story)

Chapter 3

"Osman has done perfectly well for the tribe," boasted Selcan Hatun contentedly. "What would we do without him?" The woman next to her glared at her, annoyed. "Osman brings death and trouble for the tribe, Selcan, what on earth do we have to be grateful to him for?" she snarled. She was Zohre Hatun, Dundar Bey's wife, a sharp-eyed woman with a dangerous aura. Selcan fought the urge to roll her eyes. Allah, if I could skewer this woman right here and right now, she secretly wished.

Osman's mother, Halime Sultan, had passed away right after he was born and he had grown up motherless, which is why Selcan Hatun practically raised him and was very close to him. Every time she was in their tribe, Melike would often spend time with her too, especially when Boran, Aybars and Konur had gone to the mountains for their Alp assessments and training, after Hafsa Hatun had passed away. Selcan Hatun was a powerful woman herself, and was very fond of Melike; she had once been a scheming traitor who had caused a cascade of catastrophes in Suleyman Shah's time, but she repented and became a well known Kayi Hatun. She was very strong-willed, extremely plucky and courageous and had the sharpest tongue of any woman within the region. She taught Melike many things, such as how to fight with a sword and how to be a strong and steadfast woman. Her teachings did not go to waste, both Melike grew to be a strong and powerful woman, just like her. Selcan planned to teach Melike to be a wife as well when the time came, but like Boran and Konur, she was a receiver of the many rants that came from Melike about how she did not want to be married. Selcan reassured her that it was worth a try, especially for children, but Melike was still stubborn and persistent against it.

Growing up with Boran and Konur, it was known that Melike was more like an Alp than she was a regular Hatun of the tribe. She absolutely refused to work in the Rug House with the other women. Instead, she trained as hard as an Alp just with her brother and Konur, and her effort paid off as she became the tribe's best swordswoman- and a true warrior that her beloved ones were truly proud of, though many from neighbouring tribes mocked her and did not consider her a 'real woman'. Osman Bey, who was quite close with her as well- not as close to her as Boran and Konur were though- thought very highly of her, and sometimes brought her along with his Alps. But as she was still inexperienced, she had to spend most of her time patrolling, protecting and guarding the tribe and training the women and young girls, or sometimes going on her own private missions to spy for Ertugrul Gazi's youngest son. And when Bala Hatun came to the tribe, she often accompanied her on assignments where they would be positioned at places as spy for Osman Bey or her father. Melike was glad that Bala and Gonca came around, for both were warrior women like her- she did not feel as alone as she once did.

"Stop fighting, ladies," scolded Dundar Bey, shaking his head at his wife and Selcan Hatun's bickering. "Thankfully, we got over this issue, cok sukur." Selcan knew he was referring to the ridiculously insensible debt that Alisar tried to force upon them. Zohre Hatun scoffed, but said no more. She and Selcan Hatun were always shooting daggers at each other, whether it was with their eyes or their tongues. Ya Rabb, I wish Melike could be in here with me, Selcan wished. As she listened to Melike about certain plights, Melike listened to her in turn; Selcan often spoke about how irritating she found Dundar's family, especially after Sheikh Edebali and Bala Hatun's arrival- no one from Dundar's marquee welcomed them very well, especially Aygul, who was absent from the marquee at that present moment. Selcan assumed that she had gone to the Port Bazaar, possibly to bicker with Bala once more whilst she did her shopping. She sighed at the thought, worried, though she knew that Bala had an idea on how to deal with the jealous young woman.

"Cok sukur, emmi, but I am worried about Alisar's warning," piped up Gunduz, as their discussion continued. "Alisar seemed serious about it, even Osman mentioned something to us," said his wife, Ayse. "Yes, Ayse, Alisar is taunting, he might be exaggerating just to scare us," said Selcan confidently. Ayse raised an eyebrow. "A warning?" she asked, confused.