Chapter 3: Council of the First Hand
It wasn't often that Yîgeke was involved in arguments; she'd made it her life's work to avoid such things. But she had noticed that, when it did happen, inevitably Kargöz and Qemik ended up taking opposite views. They might start from the same place, as they had this time; in fact, all of her friends were enthusiastic that she take up the mantle of the First Hand, no matter how absurd and impossible that was. As the sun sank, Qemik became more determined that she should immediately proclaim herself and lead the Haehînbór to storm Caras Lithgweth. Oyana had to kick him to silence him, lest some Ortheri notice them huddling in a barn in the horse market discussing rebellion, instead of doing their day's work.
Noticing how Qemik's fervor made Yîgeke increasingly uncomfortable, Kargöz took a more reassuring tone, and even tried to set a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. He still was convinced by the portent, but he drifted towards a gentler approach. "If Fate has selected you, it must have done so for a reason," he reassured her. "Either because your caution is what is needed, or because when the time comes for you to act it will be at time when you are ready to." She was not reassured, and brushed his hand away, but some part of her appreciated that he'd at least tried.
Meanwhile, Qemik was planning the uprising, or at least he seemed to think so. While he was full of fire and determination, the nearest he got to a true plan was being sure they should set out now. It fell to Oyana to bring some sense to the discussion. There was something about her calm certainty that proved more compelling than Qemik's brash gesticulations; even Yîgeke emerged from her near-panic to listen. "Whatever Fate has in mind, there are several more Spears to be seen before the First Hand must act. What we must do for now is to remain calm, and try to go unnoticed, but to keep close to one another. We have known each other a long time." She nodded to Kumzu, the one who'd brought this group of friends together. "We can trust one another. We must remain close to protect one another, while we wait to see if the Second Spear is seen. And otherwise go about our lives as usual. Each of us has work to be done before nightfall, lest we meet the lash."
Though even Qemik could see the wisdom in Oyana's words, he couldn't help challenging her authority. "But the Second Spear! How can we be sure, if we don't go to the bogs? What if no one is there? For all we know, it's happening right now!"
"Don't be absurd," Oyana said, "the moon is not arisen."
"But if we don't leave soon we won't be there in time to see it rise!" Qemik protested. "From mud clinging shall grow the living Second Spear, straining for the bleeding moon. There was a sandstorm in the east yesternight, so the moon will likely be red this night."
"It will take more than one night for a tree to grow from the bog," Oyana protested. "We cannot stay there watching that long."
For the first time, Yîgeke saw fit to speak, her voice shaking. "Yes, the Second Spear will take time. There's no need to rush into anything. Let us go back to our lives and this may all yet come to naught. I will be count this day less of a nightmare if only I can escape the lash's caress."
It seemed the discussion had run its course, and while it was plain from the look on his face that Qemik wasn't happy with the outcome, even he could see the consensus that had arisen. Ulgî and Kumzu left together, after Kumzu had given Yîgeke an encouraging hug; then the others filed out one by one, to avoid drawing attention. "I will go with you," Kargöz offered, then added, "to be sure you arrive safely." Yîgeke conceded with a slight nod of her head, mostly because she was too exhausted to argue. Night was about to fall, and she had much work still ahead of her.