The first voice she heard was not one she had expected to hear again. It brought her memories both sad and sweet, though its owner had never directly caused the grulla any grief. Without any further consideration, she proceeded in the direction of Skylar’s voice, answering with a whinny of her own as she trotted across the slope.

When she finally caught sight of the roan and white mare, she slowed to a more leisurely walk. A smile graced her lips as she approached her old friend, and her daughter’s half-sister. The mustang reached Skylar’s side at last, and she happily bumped her muzzle against the younger mare’s neck. “Skylar,” she began, “it’s been far too long since you’ve been to the Peak. What have you been up to?”

The pair was not left alone for long. They had barely begun their conversation when the sound of deep thuds nearby caught Mouse’s attention. She turned her head and saw the familiar form of Impazienza approaching. Her stomach fluttered uneasily for a moment before her smile returned to her face. Surely her friend would be glad of her return. Yet as the draft spoke, Mouse’s smile faltered.

Impa’s words were like ice to her heart, and the smile disappeared completely from her face. Her dark ears flipped back, not in anger but in confusion. She could see no immediate reason for the cool welcome they were receiving. It was true that Skylar had drifted in and out of the Peak, but the whole essence of the mountaintop was that any female was welcome. Mouse certainly did not feel welcome now.

The silence lengthened, and the grulla was not quite sure how to break it. But as her skin began to prickle in discomfort, she inhaled at last, realizing that she had been holding her breath since Impa had finished. Lifting her head as high as she could manage, she evenly gazed at her oldest friend on the islands. “Thank you, Impa. I’d been prepared to say it’s good to be back, but now I’m not so sure.” Her voice was bitter, and her face set firmly as she stared down the larger mare. For the moment, it seemed she had forgotten Skylar was there, as she silently dared Impa to accuse her out loud.