LONG LOST (A Sungurtekin Bey Fanfiction)

6.

He woke up early the next day, although he didn't know what time of day was it yet. He sat up in his bed. A pang of severe pain shooted from his wound as he quickly supressed his cry. His mother was sleepnig in the same tent not far away from him. He came out of the tent silently and looked around. He needed someone as he was not able to walk without support because he had been in the same position for a very long time. His body needed movement. What was the name of the alp standing out of the marquee? He thought. After some moments of consideration, he called out for them.

"Alpler!!" Two curtains were raised at the same time as Halime Sultan made her way out of her tent and an alp with heavy beard made his way in the marquee.

"Sungurtekin bey? Is everything okay?" Halime asked.

"I am sorry Halime Sultan, I didn't want to bother you. He.." He gestured towards the alp and then stopped, "What is your name?" He asked him.

"Gunkut, beyim!" He said. Sungurtekin nodded and turned back to Halime.

"I just wanted to perform ablution but can't do it myself." He gestered towards his wound which he was still holding with his hand! "Gunkut will take care of it." He said.

"Let me fetch the water. Gunkut will make sure if you need anything else." Halime said and went inside the tent before Sungurtekin could stop her. He sighed and turned to Gunkut,

"Just make sure to find some stick for me before I have offered my prayers." Gunkut nodded and went out. Sungurtekin went to sit beside the beylic chair. Halime came out with the equipments and sat down infront of him.

"Where is Ertugrul?" Sungurtekin asked as Halime started to pour water on his hands.

"He left sometime ago." She told him. Sungurtekin didn't say anything. Halime continued to pour water. "Abi?" She asked after a while. Sungurtekin raised his brow. "Ertugrul told me that you will leave too?" She asked. Sungurtekin nodded. "I know this is not my place to tell you this but stay Abi. We all need you here. As long as we get rid of the dark cloud looming over us. Ertugrul is not here also."

"Gundogdu abi is here Halime Sultan." Sungurtekin said softly.

"He doesn't see what we see, beyim" She said. Sungurtekin raised his head. He had completed the ablution. Halime really looked worried. "There are some people who want to divide us from inside." She said,

"Who do you suspect?" He asked. Drying his arms and face from the towel Halime had provided.

"Aytolun and Goncagul!" She said.

"What?!!" Sungurtekin looked bewildered.

"Selcan also suspects them!" Halime said quickly as if citing Selcan's name will provide weight in her suspicion.

"Selcan bıcım always had a great vision!" Sungurtekin nodded then stood up. "Don't leave her alone in this matter but also show respect to the woman my brother is marrying." He said.

"Ertugrul told me the exact same thing." Halime said.

"Then you should pay attention to it as your brother is also telling you this." Sungurtekin smiled and went inside his tent. Hayme was still sleeping in her bed, he smiled at her and picked up the prayer rug from the table in the corner. After he had offered his prayers, he put on his shoes and came out of the tent. Gunkut was standing in the marquee with a stick in his hands. He offered it to him. Sungurtekin checked the stick. It was perfect.

"Eyvallah Gunkut!" Sungurtekin nodded and came out of the marquee. Gunkut followed him. The cold morning breeze hit Sungurtekin in his face as he took a deep breath. He looked around the tribe. The routine was started. Men and women were walking from here to there. He had longed so much to see this sight. A peaceful smile came across his features.