LONG LOST (A Sungurtekin Bey Fanfiction)

34.

Gumustekin's horse had stopped in front of the marquee.

He got off the horse and came forward to stand in front of Hayme. An expression of victory on his face. Well, not only his face buy it was evident from each and every instinct of the man. His neck was held straight, his gaze sharper than before and was wearing the margrave robes. He stood before them for some time, waiting for Hayme and Tugtekin to say something.

"Welcome, Gumustekin bey!" Hayme said, just when he was about to turn away with rage. He knew that the Kayis were the only one who were against him being a margrave but the smile plastered on Hayme's face was telling him something else. Nuray was also standing alongwith the family,

"Acting is also a talent in this family." She said with amusement. Halime smiled as she side-glanced her. Sungurtekin had also heard the compliment but he didn't show any amusement from his expressions.

"Eyvallah, Hayme hatun!" Gumustekin replied now with a smile. Then he turned to Tugtekin who was standing beside Hayme. He was also staring at him. Gumustekin turned to look around him. The people of two tribes were all present there to welcome him. In front of the marquee, Aytolun, Goncagul and Gokce were standing while the two brothers alongwith Halime and Nuray were standing at some distance. Artuk bey was also standing beside them.

"It is indeed a welcome befitting the state." He said turning back to the two leaders.

"Welcome, Gumustekin bey!" Tugtekin said and gestured him to go inside the marquee before he could brag more about his status in the state. Gumustekin nodded and went inside followed by the two leaders, the two brothers and the other beys of the tribes.

Once inside, he stood infront of the Dodurga's beylic chair. The Kayis on his right hand and the Dodurgas on his left. Sungurtekin and Ertugrul stared at Tugtekin who was standing infront of them and a mocking expression on their faces. When all the beys had come and stood in their places, two soliders in blue uniform also entered the marquee holding a brown sack in their hands. It must have been heavy as both soliders were carrying it. They came down the marquee and placed the bag in the feet of Gumustekin. Then, they both went to stand at the both sides of the beylic chair. Curiosity had arisen in the marquee as Gumustekin sat down in the chair. The sack placed in his feet. He stared at all the beys for sometime then gestured them to sit down, proving his authority over them again. A victorious smile plastered on his face all the time. Sungurtekin resisted the urge to scoff as he sat down between his mother and the younger brother.

"If you accept I would like to give you some gold coins!" Gumustekin said gesturing to the sack. This time a mocking smile was appeared on the brothers' faces. They both looked at each other. "Of course I would not recoup the things you did for our state for such a long time! But you can consider it as a little gift from our state." Said Gumustekin.

The beys from the both tribes were now nodding appreciatly and excitedly. No one made any move as they all were waiting for the leaders to go ahead. Tugtekin knew that Hayme would never stood up first so he stood up to avoid the suspicion. Gumustekin smiled and held his hand in air, inviting him to kiss it. Tugtekin bent on his knee in front of the margrave and held his hand. Kissing it quickly he rose his head.

"Congratulations on your margrave duty" He said.

No traces of any kind of happiness on his face.

"Thank you, Tugtekin bey!" Gumustekin said and bent down to take out a bag of gold coins for him. Tugtekin smiled this time and took the bag from him. He then turned and sat back in his place.

It was Hayme's turn now. She remained seated in her place and put her hand on her chest. Indicating how grateful she was to have the margrave among them.