Ylva's dark eyes drop to the hillside to watch for any small rocks that might disturb her step, but she has not taken more than two strides when a gentle touch at her shoulder gives her pause. She looks up at Errant, some of her careful mask of determination wilting with surprise to reveal the scared young mare beneath. You do not need to do this alone, Errant says, compassion and concern gleaming in his eyes. I am at your shoulder and I would help carry whatever mountain you bear in coming here.

Errant: ever her knight in shining armor. Ylva studies his face for a moment, then smiles faintly. "I know," she says gently, and as a chill Tinuvel breeze sweeps across their backs, throwing Ylva's pale forelock against one ear, she reaches forward to offer Errant a rare touch of the muzzle. It is all she can provide at this moment, with her thoughts scrambled by nerves.

Just as they resume their descent into the valley, a clatter of stones to their right roots Ylva in place. She peers meekly past Errant's dark shoulder, half-fearing that she'll come face-to-face with a grullo stallion she had left in her past long ago, but instead it is a mare descending from a bluff. The stranger is small, shaggy, and rust-red. She moves with ease across the incline, as though she's traversed it a thousand times before, and there is a fierceness to her expression that commands respect. Though she is not what Ylva had expected, Ylva knows instantly who she is.

Solomon did not warn me to expect visitors from Cove herd, Valka says, her eyes lingering on Ylva. Ylva's mouth opens, but she can think of nothing to say to that, so instead she steps forward, away from the shelter of Errant's body. As Valka introduces herself and bids them welcome, Ylva dips her head politely.

"Thank you. I am Ylva, and this is my companion, Errant. We were just paying Solomon a visit, and he seems to hold you in high regard, so I was interested in meeting you." Ylva swallows against the dryness of her throat, her eyes passing briefly over the rolling tundra landscape. "I haven't been here in a long time, but it's much as I remember it. Have you reigned here long, Valka?"