A/N - Editing pictures, because I don't know what else to find for the chapter. 😅
Mihrimah was currently in Sögüt with Sheikh Edebali and one of his dervishes, Akça Derviş. They had gotten word that the Vizier would like to talk with Sheikh Edebali.
Mihrimah had a blue dress on along with a matching scarf on her head.
''Are you going to let him know of our plans to go to Konya, Sheik'im?''
''Yes, I want to evaluate his nature more closely, my dear.''
Mihrimah couldn't do anything but to sigh and nod and then the Vizier arrived. His commander too, Konur.
She looked at him and was lost in thought for a second until the Vizier greeted her and the Sheikh.
''Sheikh Edebali. Mihrimah.'' He then sat on one of the rugs made of lamb fur, overfor Sheikh Edebali, who had Mihrimah and Akça Derviş sit by his side. Konur sat beside the Vizier.
''I have walked around Sögüt. The town is astonishing. I have also recognized the work of Mihrimah. The merchants praised her and Osman Bey a lot.'' he said, Mihrimah only nodded curtly.
''I see now how Osman Bey is the hope of these frontiers and you are the light of Oghuz. I expected the land where you lived to be more prosperous. I'm sorry to say this, but I couldn't find what I expected in Sögüt. It has many deficiencies*.''
''There will always be deficiencies, where people live.'' Sheikh Edebali began. ''But a mature man will always see it as complete. Whoever is deficient, always sees deficiencies, everywhere he goes.''
Vizier Alemshah noted that Sheikh Edebali spoke of him, but couldn't speak against him. ''You are right about your words, Sheikh Edebali. But seeing isn't enough. The state demands that the deficiencies in Sögüt, shall be filled during our absence. So your words shall enlighten our way.'' The Vizier said. Mihrimah's jaw tightened, but it would be too improper to make a scene now. She hated it the most, when the Vizier looked at her. Konur could see her hate towards the Vizier, who finished his statement. ''We should walk together.''
As always the Sheikh noticed this. ''As long as Allah lets me live, I will walk in the path of Him. We like what He likes. We stay away from what He dislikes.''
The Vizier didn't say anything but stood up. ''We should go now. We will meet again, anyway.''
''If Allah allows us, we will meet. But you have come, and yet we are leaving soon. We'll take your regards to Konya too, Vizier Alemshah. Young Mihrimah will also accompany me too Konya. I believe, she has one more thing to learn, before I let go of as my student.''
''Is that so? That would please me. What are you going to Konya for?''
''I'm going to see our friends.'' Sheikh gave him a short answer and stood up. Akça Derviş and Mihrimah stood up too.
''I will be here. We'll meet, when you're back then. Have a safe journey.''
''EyvAllah.'' the Sheikh said, and then turned to Mihrimah. ''My dear, you should go too. Akça Derviş and I will prepare the rest for our journey in a couple of hours.''
Mihrimah scowled at him, but he only motioned with his head to listen to him. She sighed and put a hand to her chest. ''Taman, Sheikh'm. I have to wrap up the rest of my duties before we leave anyway.''
''Really? Then let me join you, Mihrimah Sultan'im.'' Alemshah exclaimed.
Mihrimah really wanted to turn him down, but couldn't, so she smiled to hide the fact that he bothered her. ''Of course, let me just change and we'll meet in the front.''
Mihrimah walked away. The Vizier and Konur left the building.
Akça Derviş turned to Sheikh Edebali. ''Sheikh'im, do you have something on your mind?'' The dervish noticed his Sheikh's dispirited expression.
''When we reach Konya, we should see Sultan Mesud before our friends.''
Outside Vizier Alemshah waited for Mihrimah, but before that, he had spoken to Konur.
''He dodged every word skillfully. He has already chosen his side. Go to Kosses immediately. Tell him to ambush Edebali and Mihrimah on the road to Konya. They can't reach Konya, Konur. Sultan Mesud shouldn't know about our plan.'' he said and left.
After hearing those words, Konur seemed a little hesitant at first, but obeyed nonetheless.
☾
Mihrimah had changed into her armor. She thought that it was better to be ready for the road than have others to wait for her.
Along with the Vizier, she moved through the marketplace and negotiated with merchants and attended to the needs of the people. She ignored the Vizier's unwelcome presence and dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her duty. She hated his unclear intentions. And she couldn't help but be bothered by the Vizier's gaze on her.
When she finished, they went to a teahouse.
''My dear Sultana.'' he began, his voice was smooth as silk. ''I could not resist the opportunity to see you in your element, attending to the needs of your people with such grace.''
Mihrimah's jaw clenched with irritation at Alemshah's word, she couldn't stand the man. Ever since their first meeting, she had long suspected that the Vizier harbored ulterior motives towards her. She didn't know which, but she would not allow him to manipulate her for his own gain.
''I am quite capable of attending to my duties without my emmi's interference.'' Mihrimah replied, as kindly as she could.
''I can see that.'' he said and then sighed. ''I know that you have a journey ahead of you, but I simply can't resist the opportunity to share a cup of tea with you.''
Mihrimah almost panicked at his behaviour towards her. ''Uhm, I'm don't want any more tea. I have to go help Sheikh Edebali with whatever there is left to do. Now, if you will excuse me...''
With that, Mihrimah turned on her heel and almost ran away. She couldn't help but feel uneasy around the Vizier.
☾
Mihrimah rode beside Sheikh Edebali on their way to Konya. Behind them a few of the Sheikh's Dervishes and Akça Derviş rode.
Suddenly Kosses appeared with his soldiers, and the Dervishes and Mihrimah immediately dismounted off their horses and sheaded their swords. ''What is going on, Edebali? Where are you going without my permission?''
The Sheikh and Akça Derviş dismounted off their horses and walked up to Kosses. Mihrimah stood close to the Sheikh, ready to protect him. ''It is Allah, who created the path and my weak body. If He want us to walk ahead, even the whole world can't stop us. If He doesn't want us to got, we can't got even if thousands new paths are opened up.''
''It that so? Let's ask then.'' Kosses held a hand to his ear as if listening, to mock Edebali. ''Your God doesn't want you to go anywhere today.''
Mihrimah couldn't stand the mockery. ''I don't' remember your God saying anything either. Or you for that matter.''
Kosses was angry and yelled. ''Soldiers, attack!'
The Sheikh, Akça Derviş and the other Dervishes attacked too, and Mihrimah and Kosses stood before each other.
Kosses was a formidable soldier known for his skill with a blade, he grinned confidently as he advanced towards Mihrimah. He had long sought to test her strength.
Mihrimah met Kosses' gaze with resolve, as she prepared to face off against him. She had trained tirelessly for moments like this, honing her skills with sword.
As Kosses lunged forward, his sword flashed in the air, Mihrimah parried his blow with skillful precision, her movements fluid and precise. She countered with a swift strike of her own, the clash of their swords rang out. Kosses managed to slightly graze her upper arm, but she didn't have the time to react to the wound.
They battled fiercely, each one of them seeking to gain the upper hand over the other. But just as Mihrimah seemed to gain the advantage, a cry of pain echoed behind her, bringing the duel to an abrupt halt.
Mihrimah's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Sheikh Edebali lying on the ground, clutching his arm in pain.
''Sheikh Edebali!'' Mihrimah and Akça Derviş cried out, they were concerned as they rushed to the Sheikh's side. ''What happened? Are you hurt?''
Sheikh Edebali grimaced in pain as he struggled to sit up, which Akça Derviş helped him with. ''It is nothing, Mihrimah.''
Mihrimah's heart clenched with worry as she looked upon the injured Sheikh. She also could not bear to leave him in his time of need.
Kosses sensed an opportunity to attack Mihrimah, while she was distracted. But the Dervishes rushed towards Kosses to protect the Sheikh, but were killed effortlessly by him.
Before he could make a move and attack Mihrimah, a spear landed before Kosses. When both Kosses and Mihrimah looked where it came from, they saw commander Konur, who came with his soldiers and ran to attack Kosses' soldiers.
While Mihrimah was tending to Sheikh Edebali, Kosses yelled out to his enemies before retreating. ''Tell Osman, I will take many more lives until I get my sister back!''
Konur returned his sword in the scarab and crouched down to the wounded Edebali. ''Sheikh Edebali, are you alright?''
''What is it to you?!'' Mihrimah hissed at Konur, but Akça Derviş interfered. ''Not now, Mihrimah.''
Mihrimah glared at Konur, but obeyed Akça Derviş and calmed down and informed. ''I have already tended to his wound. Cok sukur, the wound wasn't too deep. But even so the wound has weakened him.''
Konur genuinely took her words into consideration. ''These roads are dangerous. My soldiers will take you somewhere safe and I will get a doctor.''
Knowing that she didn't have any other choice for Sheikh Edebali's sake, she accepted Konur's offer. ''As long Sheikh Edebali is taken care of, I have no objections.''
Konur stood up and neared one of his soldiers and whispered something, so Mihrimah couldn't hear what he said.
Mihrimah and Akça Derviş helped Sheikh Edebali to mount his horse. She then caught Konur staring at her and motioned her to come. Akça Derviş noticed this, but didn't say anything.
When she walked up to Konur, he took her by her injured arm and gripped it tightly, but not enough to hurt her. She then realized that he was inspecting her wound, he must have noticed it before.
Mihrimah was slightly uncomfortable at first but let him wrap her wound with a piece of cloth. She was also confused why she felt nervous around him.
''Thank you.'' Mihrimah said in a hushed voice, when he finished.
When she looked up to him, he was extremely close to her. His hand still on her arm, while his dark eyes looked steadily at her stormy ones. He was making her feel weird and nervous. Then her savior Toprak, neighed catching their attention. He must have stood there waiting for Mihrimah and covered the others view of them in the process. Mihrimah cleared her throat and stepped away from Konur.
She turned to her horse and petted him. ''Thank you, my valiant. I don't know what happened, but you saved me.''
Toprak nuzzled his head toward her in response.
Little did they all know Sheikh Edebali, who was the only one sitting on a horse, saw the interaction between the commander and the now fair lady.
Hmm... Will Sheikh Edebali say anything about Konur and Mihrimah's interaction in this chapter or not? What do you think?👀
Word count: 1860
Deficiencies - Another for it is flaws; An imperfection.
Cok sukur - Thank God