The Superstition of Coincidence

Rudsis looked on as four Alevs lifted a pillar they'd put together with four tree trunks, joined at their ends with pegs. They positioned themselves in a line along the enormous shaft, standing side by side, at the end of the pillar that they would stand to point at the sky.

They all crouched, put their hands under the polished wood, and one of them counted.

"One, two, three!"

The four females lifted at the same time, and immediately, another two positioned themselves under the enormous shaft further down the trunk, balled up on their knees and hands, to serve as support.

"Are we ready?" asked the one closest to the lifted end. Her skin was the color of honey.

"Yes," answered the other five in unison.