Oath. *

Ayshe.

~

My brother in law was a scary man.

At 19, he had more presence and charisma than most grown and experienced man.

The sounds of bones breaking were still ringing in my ears.. Probably won't forget them for a while.

".. Where is the Royal?" asked Henny, looking at the city lights.

Lilly, as always, was quick to look up the information needed.

" Palace Royal.. 5 diamonds. Ultra luxurious.. best room.. Something called the princess suite." she read it off her phone.

At least we'll be well rested.

With Uncle Ivan sitting in a separate car with those twin bodyguards of his, Maya and Aunt Krista got to talk.. it was a little awkward since Marie was stuck in between the two.

".. Your son is a tyrant.. " she spoke up.

" I thank God each day for him.. " she said, looking ahead.

Maya gave her mother a sour look.

" Absolutely.. Thank God, Anme. If not for him, my own family would've disowned me.."

" Maya, please.. I'm too tired to do a deep dive into imaginary scenarios with you.. I want a massage and a bath.. Then rest. I promised your brother. " she added as explanation.

" I promised him the same.. You're right mother let us talk tomorrow or next week .. " she nodded with the same expression as her mother.

They both looked the opposite side and continued to pout.

It was surreal how identical they were. It also gave me a headache just to imagine how Marie must feel with all that added family drama..

But no one could tell if she felt annoyed.. From her smiling face as she done her best to make peace within her family.

" Stop it.. If my husband will learn of this.." she warned them.

" My brother will learn?" asked Maya.

".. Well, if my son learns, you mean? " asked Aunt Krista.

Mother and daughter exchanged a very similar smile for the first time having fun with my sister.

Now I saw annoyance on her face.. Oh boy.. What a family.

~

The hotel itself was a few miles out of the city.

To my surprise, Leyla and a few of the hotel staff and guards were waiting for us.

" .. Is that little Leyla I see? " Maya walked forward, opening her arms.

" Ambla! ( Big Sister. ). " She met her halfway.

As they embraced, a middle-aged lady were waiting politely wearing the kind of pants suit only a hotel night manager would.

We waited until Aunt Krista got out of the car, and all walked close behind her.

" Mrs Crigmasky, Mrs Martell.. welcome to the Royal. My name is Hirina Voight. " The lady bowed towards them. " .. The top floor is all yours..

" Excellent junim ( daughter. ) ..but are the masseuses available? " Aunt Krista cut her off.

She meant what she said. I checked my phone and saw it was close to midnight.

Even though I had no doubt..

" Absolutely ma'am. They can be called to your room immediately. The kitchen is also opened if you feel the need. " The manager quickly nodded.

Yep.. it was open for us.

Uncle Ivan and his guards walked past the welcome party, and I saw Ms Voight send a few aids after them.. probably giving the keys over.

They were well prepared.

Leyla couldn't stop talking to Maya's stomach..it was weird but in a cute way, I suppose.

When Aunt Krista had enough of the sight, we made our way inside..it was at the elevator when my phone rang.

" Oliver .. " I said to the waiting ears.

" Yes, my love. " I picked up.

" ..We be a little longer. "

He sounded exhausted. The others gave a few gestures, so I put him on loudspeaker.

It was a mistake.

The sounds of a horror movie quickly filled the small elevator.

" ..Khmm.. Oliver, you're on loudspeaker. " I smiled awkwardly. " .. How much longer? "

I could practically see him sighing.

" Well .. a day, maybe two.. it depends. "

Aunt Krista leaned closer and talked directly to the phone.

" .. What is Asin doing? I can hear an awful lot coming through this phone. "

After a few seconds, the noises died down, and Oliver only continued once it was complete silence.

" Asin will leave for the U.S and ..

I wasn't quick enough, and my phone was snatched away by Maya.

" Oli .. w-when ..what..for what .." she took a deep breath and stopped fumbling around. " Tell him I will kick his ass .. soon as I'm..when I'm skinny again! ..and yours! "

She made an angry expression and handed me my phone back. Her mother, however, nodded approvingly.

" If you think we are still afraid of you, Ambla, you got a bit of surprise to look forward to. " Oliver laughed at the other end.

" I bet I can still beat you! " she shouted back.

Marie couldn't hold back anymore and took the phone away..

" Oliver, listen here..give the phone over to MY husband. " she gave a superior look to the Crigmansky woman.

As the elevator door opened to show us an entire floor, we forget ourselves from the sight and only joined my sister after a few seconds.

The princess suite was more like an actual palace than a room.

The size ..the art .. incredible. It had its own infinity pool and jacuzzi. A table filled with freshly cut fruit and cakes, tiny sandwiches, and another table filled with bottled water, jugs of juice, and soft drinks.

The room .. had other rooms inside. It can accommodate all of us and then some. Although Uncle Ivan voiced his displeasure and given his own room next to his twin guards.

As we settled in, the masseuse arrived, followed by a few beauticians in an orderly manner.

Marie came back, looking exhausted.

" What's the word? " I asked.

She took a bottle of water and plopped down on an armchair. " ..he won't go. I convinced him he has people for that..plus if he goes, it will surely make the headlines. Luckily, he listened. "

The sounds of clapping were heard, and I saw Maya and Aunt Krista admiring looks.

It made her smile..even puffed her chest out.

" What are you waiting for.. get on that table.. I can't for sure. " Maya pointed at her stomach.

" Please don't worry Ms Crigmansky..we have a solution. " One of the masseuses ladies came over. " Just sit there still, and we make you comfortable in a minute. "

She locked relived, and I exchanged a look with my sister. We were both thinking of the same thing.

After the last 2 days we had .. we deserve some pampering as well.

_______

Asin.

~

Perhaps I don't give her enough credit..

My wife was a smart woman, but in this case, it had to do more with the fact that I didn't wanna bring her with me.

Either way, Oliver already talked to some of our most resourceful people and sent them away.

We knew her university, and thanks to her social media, all her friends. It should be easy to find that useless muppet.

" Asin, I think we done here.."

I looked up hearing Kol and saw the 26 man who we hanged upside-down. Some cried, and others were screaming. They all started to have nosebleeds.

I nodded towards him, and after a minute, they were all cut down landing in a less than gentle way.

Oliver was away gathering the old timers of the Adans.

Those who are supposed to look after the 9th population and make sure these .. barbarian practices won't hurt young women who made mistakes.

I already promised myself to go on a massacre if they start talking about my sister.

I got up, poured the last bit of coffee on the ground, and walked to the whining and panting individuals who joined in on the lynching.

" Gentleman.. I'm going to be honest with you. Despite my promises to my family.. I still think the best decision here is to kill the lot of you .. and bury your remains in the vast desert. "

I heard a few crying out, but most didn't even look me in the eye.. only one dared to speak up.

" Boss.. we made a h-horrible m-mistake..listened to the advice of Marwek and Faryali.. but they are dead now. I swear to our Lord, boss.. we are more grateful than you for their demise. "

I couldn't help but admire his balls to speak in such a delicate situation, even managed to say the right things..

I slowly made my way towards the young man looking to be his early 20s.

Knelt down so I can look him into the eyes.

" How can trust you all?..hmm?..what would've happened if I don't arrive in time? Attack the old man and my family? Stone, my sister, on the walk of shame!? "

The man became stiff hearing the anger raising in my voice but managed to answer.

" ..you done what everyone in your position would've done. All I can promise is unwavering loyalty from here on out. Let us make an Oath boss..please. " he said desperately.

I know they were galvanised by those who refused to back down .. Marwek and the other, Faryali. May the devil torture them in hell.

But still..

I had this uncomfortable feeling in my stomach..the fear of betrayal. On the other hand, if I execute these men after their begging.. I would turn the 9th against myself, and my second family would disown me.

An oath, however, would fix the trust issues .. but add more headaches down the road, I'm sure of it.

What to do ..?

" Brother .. "

I looked behind and saw Oliver guiding a bunch of elderly men who made fearful expressions seeing the bleeding man in front of me.

" What's your name? " I asked the brave guy.

After a little hesitation, he answered. " Bakir Mekelez son.. Cesur. "

I nodded and turned towards the table we sat up for the elderly.. let's see how they handle tonight, then see if Cesur and the others will live.

I saw them giving me a slight bow as I sat down, but at this moment, I couldn't appreciate their respect.

" Thank you for coming..at such an hour. " I addressed them. " .. tonight is a fork in the road elders.. everyone's future will be decided in a few minutes. "

I waited until my words registered in their minds and the fear clearly visible in their eyes.

" Excellent.. Now let me tell you what greeted me when I came to see my sister tonight..

...

After I finished my story, I leaned back and waited.

In my mind, I already imagined all sort of scenarios and their reactions.

Even without looking, I felt Oliver tense up behind me, I suppose his mind was on the same track as mine. Everything we built in the last 2 years could crumble in an instant.

The eldest of the bunch.. a mentor of sort to Baban, a man called Ikor Umutt, stood up with a little difficulty.

" .. I remember you 4 years ago .. you came in here as an abandoned cat..knew nothing, said nothing, yet bothered everyone..

I clinched my hands under the table, having a bad feeling.

" .. I remember Maya watching you get beaten over and over again. The kids showed no mercy to outsiders.. disrespectful outsiders. " he looked straight into my eyes. " I also remember.. all that you have done .. for those who treated you so badly. "

He smiled at me and turned to the others.

" For decades, we tried.. and failed to make the 3 Districts gain the respect we all felt it deserved. But with this boys arrival.." he pointed at me. " .. we can die knowing.. at least one of our dreams is fulfilled. "

The elders' expression softened listening to Ikor.. some even had a twinge of pride in their eyes.. but I could be seeing things.

Ikor wasn't finished.

" Gentleman! .. After everything he had done for us..how we could let such a thing unfold?.. "

He stood there shaking and waited, boarin his eyes into those who rather hid them now.

" Traditions are important..it's important to keep them, its important to place them above us, it's important to accept them. "

Dispite his words .. now I felt my stomach twisting..there it is.

" ..It also important..to understand when the times no longer tolerate them! "

Ikor words were slowly seeped into their minds. He turned back to me.

" The dead .. deserved their fate. It was your right. Not just as future Leader of the 9th .. but as a loving and loyal brother. Accept our apologies..Young leader. "

Ikor tapped his cane to the ground, and as if they talked beforehand, all the man present got on their feet.

They collectively bowed .. than waited.

I let my hand unfold.. the blood rushing in was welcomed.. but not as much as that declaration were.

I stopped pondering and got up on my feet. I remembered Baban teachings ..

" .. the 9th, forgives you. Haieloss .. Emchem ( Let it pass.. Uncles. ). "

""" Hailoss! """

As their voices died down, I felt an undescribable elation in my chest.

I seemed to be more worried than I realised.

I couldn't help myself when I faced those mob clamouring for my sister blood ..shouting about her shame.. but I would never hurt them voluntarily.

I long viewed them all as my people.

" Leader .. what about those lot in the sand? " one of the elders spoke up.

I saw a certain glint in his eyes .. one of the boys must've been a relative.

" They are free .. in a minute. " I nodded.

The man sat back down, looking relived.

" Cesur .. come and bring the others over. " I spoke up.

The man got on their feet and waddled closer.

" Leader .. "

He tried to get on his knees again, but I reached out and stopped him.

" .. you can make your oath on your feet as well .. "

The elders and even Oliver forgot to breathe.

An oath was made here in the 9th and held many things.. but loyalty to the end was one of the main reasons it was made.

An indestructible bond is formed after .. they will live by me .. die with me when the time arrives.

One of the many many traditions made by these elders surrounding us.

Cesur looked behind him and waited until the man all understood.. than nodded for the group.

~

20 minutes later, they were back on their knees without a shirt on .. waiting.

An auntie of theirs handed out a small knife to each of the 26. They each made a small cut above their hearts.

Oliver handed me one as well.

I stepped forward immediately since I didn't wanna prolong their suffering. I had 3 questions to ask.

" Will you live for me? "

""" Yes Leader! """

" Will you bleed for me? "

They made a second cut, crossing out the first one, making a small X.

""" Yes Leader! """

I opened my shirt and made a large cut myself..felt the hot blood striking down my chest and stomach.

" Will you die for me? " I asked the final question.

""" Yes, Leader!!! """

They waited, and I made a second cut as well .. Dispite the stinging and pain. It felt right.

" As my oath takers .. you are as family to me. Your problems are mine! Your pain, I will share! .. My death.. are all yours. "

""" Your death is ours!!! """

After their shouting gave way to thunderous applause, I sat down as they came over one by one and kissed my hand.

When it was all said and done, I promised a celebration of our oath.. coupled with my birthday.

" Leader .. "

Cesur followed us to the cars.

" Talk to me .. " I said.

" I just .. wanted to thank you. You could've easily.." he stopped mid sentence. " .. but you spared us. Made us choosen.. I give you my word.. to never betray today. " he bowed.

I smiled and tapped his shoulder. " Brother of mine.. all of you. Never keep any trouble from me. Understand? "

He flashed a greatful smile. " Understand Leader..I mean..brother. "

I returned his smile and waited until the night enveloped his silhouette..than I clutched my chest..

" Asin!? ..What wro..

" I'm okay, Oli..it's just been a long night. " I quickly calmed him.

The pain came and went in the same instance..

He looked worried, but my smile wiped it off soon.

" .. 26 Blood Oaths.. like Jinguish from the legends.." he joked.

I took his joke on the chin and got inside the car holding my shoulder, which was burning since I took two more lives..

The adrenaline was long gone .. and nothing but the unbridled pain remained. I didn't say a word because it felt right.

" Oliver .. Desi will be my assistant. Get one for Leyla if you feel like it .. is that okay with you? " I asked but had a feeling about the answer.

Just as I suspected. He mumbled and stuttered his answer.

" ..Y-yeah .. I mean, I'm not over the moon but absolutely, sure whatever you like .. right ..

" Right .. let's go. " I nodded.

The feeling I had for a few weeks now got stronger again ..he hid something from me. Something bad .. and it had do with our buried past. At the very least, with Desiree.

But Iuckly for him I had more important things to deal with now.

26 people will die with me when the time arrives..26 Brothers will follow me even to hell.

26 more reasons to live a long.. long life.

———

Marie.

~

It was 4 in the morning.

Beside me and Ayshe, the rest of the family were already sleeping.

Oliver called earlier and promised Asin didn't leave for America without telling us.

I couldn't sleep without him .. not after everything that had happened this 48 hours. Told Ayshe she could go, but she wanted to talk to Oliver.

" .. Are you two okay? " I asked.

She shrugged while taking a sip of her coffee.

" We are good.. we were good. W-why you asking?" She asked a little nervous.

" .. There's no reason. Just wanted to pay attention to my sister..wanna learn 9th Creole with me? " I changed topics.

I made it a point to understand what they were saying. To me, it was just another barrier that kept me from fully being with my husband.

Liked it or not .. he will be their leader one day. On that day, I wanted to stand by his side. Not some outsider who didn't even speak the language, but one of them.

Ayshe was on the same waive length with me nodding along as I spoke.

" I'm in .. getting annoyed when I have to ask Oliver for a translation. He always giving me .. this pitiful look.." she fumed. " Remember what he said .. "

I shook my head, and she continued.

" You are new.. " she said in a mocking tone.

" .. same thing Aunt Krista said to you. I have a feeling it means more than the word indicates. "

I remembered that painful moment.. interesting that Oliver used the same turn of phrase. Maybe she was right.. maybe it's a way to ..

The phone rang, and I saw Asin caller ID.

" Are you calling from the States? " I asked half jokingly.

" .. Lord god. Let it go, babe. I did say you were right, remember? " He complained.

I smiled and tapped the loudspeaker.

" Yeah, you did.. but with you, I can never tell. "

" ..fueeh.." he sighed. " .. Marie, I'm calling because we are arriving in a few minutes. Call the desk at the hotel and order a few things for me, please? "

Ayshe took out her phone and opened a note.

" Yeah, go ahead .. " I said once she gave me a nod.

" .. a large, absorbent dressing pad or gauze, sterile gloves, antiseptic solution, medical tape, and possibly a bandage roll or adhesive wound dressings, get my painkillers I got .. some ice cream and maybe ..

He was surely reading it on his phone .. I closed my eyes, hearing my new source of headache for the day.

~

" Tchtch.."

" Oh, stop .. "

I clicked my tongue again just to annoy him more.

Ayshe and Oliver were already in their room .. it was daybreak, and I was cleaning and dressing my husband's wound.

" Talk to me about this .." I pointed at his X shape deep wound. " .. It looks like someone mistook you for a cutting board. "

" .. Don't have to worry. I .. sort of made that myself.. kind of. "

At least he had the good sense to be frightened.

I sighed and put the white adhesive dressing over it. " .. Shouldn't have asked. Just make me angrier, and I can't hit you now. "

I pulled my hand back only for him to catch it.

" It's was .. something stupid, I admit.. but also necessary for me to trust those who attacked my sister. It's a sign..of an oath. " he explained.

" What kind of oath? " I got interested.

He rolled his eyes and put his shirt back on.

" The kind that saved a bunch of immature idiots. made them my brothers. How's the family? "

I was aware he was trying to change the subject, but I didn't wanna push him.

Took a look at their rooms. " Don't worry, they all rested and calmed down. Even Uncle Ivan spoke nicely to Maya. "

He showed a satisfied smile... that quickly died.

" We sent people..to find the father. " he said.

" .. Are you going to force him to become a good father, my love? It that even possible? " I asked.

He let out a long breath and seemed a little unsure, but soon his expression became resolute.

" Not forcing him to be anything.. to do anything. "

Inside my head and heart knew that killing was wrong.. but I also knew what the words honour meant.

Asin sister was disgraced .. his spiritual family ashamed in front of the entire 9th .. by today, the whole will know what happened to Maya.

Best I could do .. is try.

" Listen.. I'm not going to lecture you. " I touched his cheek. " .. I know better than to think you would stop just because I asked you.. but .. make sure he is ..irreversibly bad before .. you know? "

He took my hand and kissed my palm.

" Your words mean more than you think..everything you .. your anger, stubbornness, your good heart, every word.. you became my entire world. Never think those thoughts again. "

It was these kinds of displays that made my heart skip a beat..it clouded my mind .. they revitalised me.

" .. Promise something, yes? " I asked.

" Anything.. " he kissed my hand.

" No matter what happens to everyone else .. promise me you always love me that way .. Can you? "

Despite his injuries and the pain he must've felt, he swiftly picked me up like a princess.

" I can .. even if the world is no more.. my feelings will remain. I will love you .. only you .. forever. "

Couldn't hold back anymore, I leaned forward and kissed him, whispering in between..

" ..Forever. "