Common

VaLkA

mare / four / chestnut pangare / yakut / 13.0 hh

The sudden rigidity of Valka’s posture was an instinctive response to the other mare’s touch; the Yakut had learned to be wary of physical contact in the time she’d spent on the islands. But as Sæunn settled to her task in earnest, the tightness was eased from the chestnut’s wiry muscles in small degrees. The soothing, repetitive motion soon absolved Valka of the heavy burden that pressed down on her as skjaldmær of the Bay - even if the relief was destined to be short-lived. ”Nei,” she responded simply to Sæunn’s question, determined not to dwell on the responsibilities that awaited her back home. It was enough to have these moments of borrowed normalcy before she would need to return to Tinuvel and relieve Goose of his vigil. The existence of any ruler was a lonely one, and the stocky mare had begun to understand why Rougaru had kept two concubines - so that one might always be close. Perhaps what Valka needed was a companion of her own.

Of course, the pony-sized creature held little interest in matters of the courtship and romance. But there were other relationships with meaning. Valka had shared a kinship with the other polinitsa as only warriors who had fought together in battle could - but she had been particularly fond of the other novice amongst their ranks. Even outside of their duties, the two could often be found enjoying one another’s company - at least, until the dark-coated Yakut had fallen in battle. Her sacrifice had ensured their king’s survival, but for Valka the cost had been too high. She had never allowed herself to bond as closely with another, lest they too be called to Valhalla and leave her with nothing except the bitterness of grief.

But Valka had grown since losing the entirety of her tribe; the catastrophic event had taught her that life was fleeting. At any moment it might be taken from her as easily, so she might as well embrace the parts of her existence that lent it meaning. As she smoothed the last strands of Sæunn’s mane back into place, the chestnut mare wondered if the stranger might be willing to follow her back to the Bay. She already felt a tenuous connection to the palomino, whose apparent confusion and uncertainty called to Valka as one who had also struggled to adapt to an entirely new culture. Despite herself, the Yakut felt a strong urge to protect Sæunn, so that she need not suffer through the same hard lessons that Valka had learned since her arrival.

“Stallions... stóðhestar.” The stocky chestnut offered by way of explanation at her companion’s gentle prompt. It would not sufficiently explain her agitation, but she was again frustrated by her limited memory of the old language, and dug a furrow in the ground with one hoof. Part of her longed to chase down the pale stallion, just to have an outlet for the agitation still churning within her - but no, she could not abandon Sæ to the tender mercies of the males who stalked this place. Nodding absently in response to the humorous statement that she could not entirely understand, Valka wondered what to do - and then started as her companion’s next words seemed to echo that sentiment. Having been claimed as property, the Yakutian mare was not about to subject another to the same. But if she presented Sæunn with her options, then she could make the choice that Valka had been robbed of when she’d first arrived.

“You can pick - þú getur valið. There are four islands - fjórar eyjar - to live. Tinuvel er kalt, Luthien tempraður, Atlantis heitt, and Salem hrjóstrugt. If you not pick, then a stallion force you - gæti þvingað þig.” She could not recall enough words to describe her experience with Rougaru, but Valka was determined that she would not allow the same to befall her companion. “If you want Tinuvel, I can bring - ég get komið með þig - to Bay home. If you not like, do not need to stay… þú værir frjáls.” Falling silent then, the small chestnut waited for the other’s response patiently, her dark gaze vacillating between Sæ’s figure and the other creatures who shared the Common with them.