Ayla’s eyes quickly looked a the young girl who stepped forward.  With her white hair and black eyes, she had an aura of cold steel around her, but when those black eyes looked back at Ayla, it was a soft pool of ink.  

“Thank you.”  Ayla said softly as her cheeks blushed pink.  

Out of the three disciples inside of the room, Evren was the oldest and tallest.  Evren had just turned 16 years old and she was on her way out of Asuman Temple to travel the world for one year before going into a closed door training for another two years.  

Evren and High Master Monk Ece were just at the bottom of their mountain when Evren’s plans went astray with finding the injured Ayla.  Evren personally felt a connection with Ayla and requested for her exploring the outside world be postponed until Ayla got better.

High Master Monk Ece agreed only after Evren pleaded and agreed to Evren postponing her travels until Ayla woke up.  Now that Ayla woke up, Evren didn’t want to leave Ayla’s side even more. She wanted to stay by Ayla’s side, protect her, raise her, and teach her.  She wanted Ayla to be by her side forever. However, Evren knew she would have to leave soon.

“Rest, child.”  Ece said as she smiled even more softly.  

Ayla was an innocent child who was beaten to an inch of her life and left for dead.  Although Ayla was weary of them, she still acted like a battered child, not meeting their gaze, afraid of any big and quick movements and loud noises.  She was traumatized from her past and is in the process of healing. It will be a long road for Ayla.

“You are welcome to stay here forever.”  Ece told her. “You will be treated well here and can leave whenever you want to.  You’ll always be welcome here.”

“Thank you.”  Ayla whispered.  Tears began to threaten her eyes, but none of them fell.  

Ece smiled slightly at Ayla’s stubborn nature not to show her tears.  She didn’t want them to think that she was weak.

“Rest well, my disciples will take care of you.  I will also visit you once a day to ensure your health is getting better.”  

Ayla nodded her head once and Ece left the three girls alone with Ayla.  

“Leave us.”  Evren ordered the two girls out as well, once High Master Monk Ece was gone.  “Naz, come back in an hour.”

The two disciples bowed their head and left, however Nermin quickly gave Ayla a heated and concealed glare before leaving the room.  The door closed with a loud creek and Alya was alone with Evren.

Evren slowly walked to Alya’s bedside and sat down quietly.  

“Let me help you sit up so I can feed you.”  Evren said as she helped Ayla up and moved the pillows to help prop Ayla up.  

Once Ayla sat up,  Evren stirred the rice porridge with bite size chicken strips and blew on it to cool it down.  

“There were several times during the past few days that I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”  Evren confessed. “During those dark days and nights, I prayed to the Gods to keep their hands off of your soul so you could survive.  I’m glad they listened and you’re now awake.”

Ayla opened her mouth as the spoon full of porridge came close to her mouth.  The porridge was slightly salted and made Ayla’s stomach roar with hunger.

“Although I am glad I found you, that you’re awake and getting better.  I am sad that I must leave you. I have to travel the world for the next year and by the time I come back, I will only get to see you for a moment before I have to go into a closed door training for another two years”  Evren told Alya. “You must also take care of yourself, eat all your meals and stay healthy while I am away... Promise me or else I'll worry.”

Ayla’s eyes were twisted in confusion, but she still nodded her head and agreed.  

“I promise.”  

“Good girl.”  Evren said as she fed Alya.  “When I come back a year from now, I’ll get you any gift you want.  Is there something in particular that you want?”

Ayla quickly look down at her hands and shook her head no.  

“There is nothing that I want.”  Ayla told Evren softly. “I don’t know anything about the world so I wouldn’t even know what to ask for."  

“If that’s the case then, I’ll get you something that I think you’ll like.  How does that sound?”

“If that is what you want.”  

“Then you cannot deny my gift then!  Once I buy you the gift, you have to accept it wholeheartedly.”  

“If that is what Evren wants then as my savior, I’ll do as you wish.”  

Evren wanted to hold the cute girl in her arms, but held back.   When Ayla had a fever, Evren stayed by Ayla’s side, took care of her and held Ayla's small body against hers.  The feeling of Ayla’s fever hot body against her own caused Evren to be more protective of Ayla.

“I will leave on my journey tomorrow.”  Evren told Ayla. “I will speak with High Master Monk Ece to have you live in my quarters.  My quarters are bigger and you can take care of it while I’m away. Junior Disciple Sister Naz will help you should you need it.  She is shy and timid, but she is a good girl who listens well. She will ensure you will get better and protect you on my behalf.”  

“Why would I need protection?  High Master Monk Ece said I am safe now.”  Ayla said with a worried look.

“You are safe here.  There will be no one here who will hurt you.  It’s just in case.” Evren told Ayla truthfully.  “I will have a peace of mind, knowing that you have someone looking out for you.”  

Ayla looked down and bit her lower lip in nervousness and worry.  

Evren’s hand came out and with her thumb she rubbed it over Ayla’s lips, loosening her lower lip from her teeth.  

“Be good and be safe while I’m away.”  Evren said as her thumb kept rubbing Ayla’s lips.  “Nothing bad can happen to you.”

Ayla’s lips tighten and she looked away.  When her face tuned to the side, Evren’s thumb grazed her left cheek where the gauze covered her scar.  

“Can you tell me who hurt you?”  Evren asked as she hid her anger and pulled back her killing intent.

Ayla shook her head no, her eyes were red rimmed and yet, no tears fell.  

“One day you will.”  Evren said as she helped Ayla back down on the bed to sleep.  The medicine was making Ayla sleepy and Evren could tell that Ayla still needed rest.  “One day, when you trust me enough to tell me. I’ll bring justice to you.”

With Evren’s promised, Ayla eyes closed to the lethal beauty and never saw her again for a year.