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

Chapter 21

*sorry for the late update I'll eggsplain after the chapter :") ps I love this song very much*

Kongar inhaled and exhaled slowly but heavily, as he waited for one of the guards to come back out from inside the walls. He was at the gate of the Kulucahisar Kalesi, on a mission given to him by Balgay; he was to retrieve the Laws of Genghis Khan. After Balgay and Osman left to interrogate Alisar Bey about the whereabouts of Dundar, Osman had told Balgay that he had given the Laws to Yannis and Sofia to hold for safekeeping. After Osman left to return to the tribe, he immediately ordered Kongar to retrieve the Laws, not without saying that he'd have his head tied to his horse if he didn't complete his mission. Kongar went without hesitation, and was soon in front of the castle, waiting to be let in. Although he knew his mission was important, he couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier; something that set off a cascade of emotional feelings that he could barely keep inside.

After about half an hour of discussion, Osman turned to Balgay. "Do you have water?" he asked. Balgay nodded and drew out a flask of water. "I will perform ablution and pray," said Osman. "What? We have a mission, Osman, we have no time to lose," spat Balgay. "Praying to our Lord is our highest priority," said Osman and stood up. "Put it there," he ordered, indicating a spot just between two trees. Balgay, Cerkutay and Kongar watched him curiously as he grabbed a sheepskin out of his saddlebag. "What is he doing?" asked Cerkutay in a hissing voice to Balgay as Osman took off his belt and shoes and rolled up his sleeves. "He will clean himself then worship," said Balgay in disgust. "What a waste of time." Kongar didn't say anything, but watched Osman. He found that he was intrigued greatly by his actions, and remained silent.

"How could you trust him, Commander Balgay?" demanded Cerkutay. "Look at him! An absolute idiot." "Who said I did?" snapped Balgay. "He took every chance to defeat me and save his tribe. But we will maintain this alliance for now. Don't forget to keep your eyes and ears open." Cerkutay nodded vigorously, whilst Kongar continued to watch Osman, who began to pray. "Hmph! Look at him!" snorted Cerkutay after a while. "We could slice his throat right here and he is still unafraid." "A muslim won't want anything more than to die for his or her cause and God," murmured Kongar, Melike seeping into his mind as he remembered how dedicated she was to the cause, and how she often spoke of dying for Allah. Balgay raised an eyebrow at him, but was unfazed. Kongar sighed, in an almost longing way. "He has such faith...if we had nothing more than a sliver of it, we would rule the whole world," he said softly, making Balgay and Cerkutay turn their heads sharply to look at him. Kongar was unfazed, but Balgay and Cerkutay glared at him with confusion; what was he on about? Before either of them could say anything, Osman had finished his prayer and was beginning to say a Doaa'.

The Mongols listened in carefully; "Oh Allah, keep me on the Straight Path," he prayed. "There is no God but You. You are the only One with pure greatness, for You are the Lord of the 7 Skies and the whole Universe. I can't talk about You without complete awe and love. I can only thank You...for I have only You to thank for, for my life, for this world, oh Lord of the Universes." Kongar shifted uncomfortably, feeling an ache in his chest as he listened to Osman's doaa'. He felt an urge to join him, to pray for forgiveness and guidance. But he continued to stand beside his commander and just listen to Osman's prayers. "My Allah...keep my sword sharp. Keep my horse fast, grant us victory against the cruel and unjust tyrants of this world, Oh Allah!" Osman prayed deeply, without a moment of losing concentration. Kongar inhaled sharply as he had sudden flashbacks of when he was younger, in a tribe and loving home with Konur. He began to remember how it was brutally taken away from him, and that it was the Mongols who did so. He gulped at the memory, forcing back tears as Osman finally completed his prayer and stood up, before Balgay's voice shook the young warrior out of his spiritual thoughts.