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

Chapter 10

Melike waited impatiently in Selcan Hatun's tent with Bala and Gonca. Bala and Gonca were extremely relieved that Melike was alive and well, and Melike was spared narrating the details of her encounters with Kongar. She had changed into a new and clean set of clothes, and had gotten herself a new sword and dagger from her tent, too- the fate of the weapons that she had brought to Sogut was unbeknownst to her. "I hope Boran is alright," she said worriedly, as she honed the blade of her dagger. " "They will not kill him, Konur or the others unless Balgay says so, don't worry," Gonca reassured her. "Yes. I knew Osman's plan would probably not work, but it was a good distraction," said Bala, and Gonca nodded as Bamsi Bey hurried into the tent. "Selam Aleykum, my daughters," he said and the three young women stood up. "Ve Aleykum Selam, Bamsi Bey," they said in unison. "What is the status of the Alps?" he asked. "They were taken to the caged tent," said Gonca. "I doubt they'll let anyone in, though." Bamsi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You're right. I wonder what Osman is planning," he wondered aloud. "Do you know, Melike? You did come with him."

Melike grimaced as she looked around at everyone; she did not know much, except that Osman was bargaining Genghis Khan's set of Laws in exchange for the freedom of his Alps and his tribe. Yet she was oblivious to where or how he had retrieved them, and did not ask after Osman had explained what he did to her. The Laws were clearly holy and sacred to the Mongols, and it was obvious that Osman was planning to use them against Balgay. "I'm not exactly sure," confessed Melike sheepishly. "But I do think for sure Osman would explain, once he has dealt with Balgay," she added, to make the atmosphere a little more optimistic. Bamsi Bey nodded at her in a rather skeptical manner, and exited the tent without another word. The girls looked at each other in silence; "Is it just me, or is Bamsi Bey suspicious?" wondered Melike aloud. "No, it isn't just you, kardasim. I felt that too," said Gonca. "I'm sure Osman has an explanation though." "Of course he does! Osman Bey always does!" exclaimed Melike, brightening up a little, determined to not allow the Mongols to bring them down.

Only Bala remained silent. "Bala? Is everything alright?" asked Melike, noticing her friend's unusual silence. "Yes, Melike, I'm fine," said Bala, before grabbing her sword to sharpen it with her own sharpening stone. Melike felt as if Bala was just as suspicious as Bamsi was, but decided to not discuss the subject.

"I'm going to see Boran," she said suddenly, and stood up. "What?!?" gasped the other three young women in shock. "Yes. I don't care what the Mongols will say, I want to see my brother," said Melike firmly. "Melike, do you hear what you are saying? Look, if I were his sister, I would want to see him too, but they would never allow us in!" hissed Bala. "I'll make them allow me, I need Boran to know that I'm okay, and I need to apologise to Konur," her fiery-eyed friend went on stubbornly. "Melike, what if they threaten to kill them because of your stubbornness to see them?" asked Gonca, worried. "They won't; Balgay's desire for the treasure in Osman Bey's hands will stop them from even killing Osman himself," persisted Melike. Her longing to see Boran and Konur was overwhelming, and she couldn't possibly wait any longer. "Kongar would never let you in!" cried Bala. "I have no care for what Kongar says, he is no match for me," hissed Melike, in an almost cat-like snarl. "He won't get away this time, with his hypnotic blue eyes and creepy smirk." The two other girls looked at each other in surprise; Melike had never described anyone in such a way before.

"Melike," began Bala, putting a hand on Melike's arm. "Please do not try to face Kongar again." "Why not? He couldn't hurt me," growled Melike. "It's not that-" "Do you think I can't handle him? That he is too powerful for me?" Melike demanded, looking offended. "No, Melike, not that, I'm sure you're very capable of taking him on. It's just-" Bala paused in mid sentence. Gonca looked between them, confused. She did not know what to say to her friend, about the atmosphere between her and the fierce and devilishly handsome Mongol soldier. Melike sighed and put her hand on Bala's shoulder. "Bala, dear. I won't be caught, killed, don't worry," she said. "But I will not be stopped either." She turned heel and left the tent. "Melike!" exclaimed Gonca, but it was too late; Melike had left, armed and fired up. "Ya Rabb, this girl. Allah protect her," prayed Bala quietly. "Bala'm, why are you so worried?" asked Gonca. "We both know Melike well enough to know that she can take on any soldier." "I know it's just...she cannot take on Kongar," sighed Bala, frustrated. "She shouldn't. I have a bad feeling about it." "Why not? He's strong, but so is she, with the addition that she's nimble. If she's careful enough, she would be able to fight him easily," added Gonca. "It is not a matter of strength or nimbleness, she just cannot fight him!" hissed her friend. She sat down back in the lamb-skin covered seat, taking up her sword again. "Allah, I wish Selcan Ana were here...I need her counsel." "Balacim, what do you know about Kongar that I do not?" asked Gonca, worried. "It's Melike. He's...he is incredibly interested in her, more than anyone else, even Osman- the way he looks at her...it scares me," confessed Bala, her expression concerned. She turned to look at Gonca, who had her hands over her mouth. "Bala, what do you mean, by the way he looks at her?"