Sabır (Patience) - Kurulus Osman

Chapter 20

"...might of Genghis Khan," Kongar heard Osman declare.

"Do you have a clo-" Ceyda asked again when Kongar shushed her.

"May the name of Genghis Khan tremble your heart. Which power are you talking about?" Balgay questioned.

"You either listen to me or you will run out of luck. I have a treasury that every Mongol commander would accept," Osman provoked.

"While the power of Genghis Khan runs through my veins, what are you mumbling about?"

"Genghis Khan says... Listen carefully to the enemy that comes in front of you bravely and willingly so you can show them you have the power to reflect that bravery." Osman jumped off his horse and started walking towards Balgay. "Don't you have that courage, Balgay?"

Balgay was silent so Kongar looked at him and nodded. Balgay understood the gesture and walked down the steps of the marquee towards Osman.

"Do you have-" Ceyda tried again.

"Come on," Kongar followed Balgay, bringing Ceyda with him.

Balgay and Osman were face to face. Osman looked at the girl with Balgay and widened his eyes as he recognized her as Ceyda. Hundreds of questions flooded his brain, but he couldn't address them as more riders entered the tribe. Three Mongols.

Kongar went up to Balgay and informed, "Commander Balgay, messengers have arrived from Konya."

"These are the messengers that have been sent by Geyhatu," added Cerkutay.

Ceyda wanted to do something too, so she asked, "Baba, do you have a cloth-"

Kongar covered Ceyda's mouth with his hand. "Can you stop with the cloth?"

Osman furrowed his brow. "Baba?"

Before he could question further, the Mongols reached Balgay and one of them knelt, holding up a rolled-up letter. "We've brought news from Geyhatu, Commander Balgay." Balgay took the letter, opened it and started reading.

Ceyda tried craning her neck, and Kongar rolled his eyes and held her back, receiving a dirty look. Kongar made a mental note to tell the Shaman to make sure the potion does not make her act like a child next time.

After reading it, Balgay jerked his head to Osman and handed the letter back to the Mongol who then left. He walked towards Osman and said, "Geyhatu asks for you. He wants me to take you and your alps to Konya. How does mighty Geyhatu know about you? What are you up to, Osman?"

Osman smirked and stepped closer to Balgay. "Geyhatu knows the importance of the treasure I have. I have waited so long for him to come and pick it up from me."

"What does Geyhatu want?"

Osman raised his head and looked at Kongar, then Ceyda who was currently picking at Kongar's armour. "Why is it so... ugly?" she whispered.

Kongar turned towards Ceyda and furrowed his brow, then slowly moved her hand away, hoping this would give her the message to keep her hands away from his not-so-ugly armour.

Osman was now sure it was Ceyda. Why is she acting so childish?... Wait no, that is how she acts. But why is she with them? What if it's one of the options? Maybe she really did lose her memory... Osman decided to figure it out later. He walked away and pulled out something from his horse's saddle, then came back to Balgay and showed him what he carried. Balgay glanced at the package, then Osman.

"What are you doing, Osman?" Zohre called out, making Ceyda turn towards her before Dundar shushed her.

"Shut up, Hatun!" Dundar warned, and Zohre gulped. "Osman didn't come empty-handed."

Ceyda continued staring at Zohre. For some reason, Zohre's face was the one face she recognized well, and with that, the name "Ana."

Kongar nudged Ceyda, and she quickly turned away from Zohre and listened to Balgay, "Kongar!
Cerkutay! Daughter! Stop all the executions. Capture all of the prisoners. This is an order of Geyhatu!"

The Mongols started untying the captives and Balgay told Osman to come to the tent with him to speak. Balgay started walking towards the tent, and Osman looked at Boran who nodded, reassuring Osman that they would be fine. Osman nodded back and looked at Ceyda one more time. Ceyda noticed Osman looking at her and stared at him back. She smiled as she didn't know what else to do. He smiled back. After all, Ceyda was awake, and even though she might not have been herself, she was okay. He followed Balgay into the tent where Kongar followed, bringing along Ceyda.

Balgay sat on the Bey seat with Kongar standing beside him. When Balgay saw Ceyda come in, he held up a hand to stop her. "Daughter, you go outside... Talk to the captives. You know, entertain them."

Ceyda nodded and left to see Osman and Dundar arguing quietly. She slowly walked towards them as Dundar and Osman watched Ceyda. "Emmi, what happened to her?"

"They did something... when that blonde commander raided the tribe, Ceyda came to the front of our marquee. He captured her along with Gunduz and me. Then, he took her somewhere, and we didn't see Ceyda until they brought your alps to the tribe... as prisoners. It looked like they forced her to join them."

"But she would never join them."

"Exactly. She was mumbling some things since she woke up... maybe it has something to do with the coma."

"Maybe.... we'll discuss more later." They moved inside with the Mongol soldiers right behind them.

Aygul and Zohre watched Ceyda with caution yet hope. Ceyda waited for the Mongols to leave, then turned towards the two women.

"Don't you have any conscience? Don't you know this is wrong? I know you're in there, Ceyda. Please, come back," Aygul pleaded, walking closer to Ceyda as Zohre put her hand on her arm to stop her from going too close.

"Kizim? Do you remember us? Do you remember me? You don't have to do this. Look, we're here for you. We will always be here for you. I... will always be here for you," Zohre swallowed.

Ceyda looked between the teary-eyed women, her eyes welling up with tears as well. There was a stinging in the back of her head, and she felt a little dizzy. She looked between Aygul and Zohre and smiled, the twinkle that set her eyes apart from many others and made them mysteriously beautiful was back and shinier than ever.

Ceyda placed a shaky hand on her chest and nodded, then whispered, "Selam Alaykum," and left.

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Aahhh she's backkk. Vote/comment!