Kotallo used to lead Ram Squad, and Kivva was his second. When he became a Marshal, she took over.

That’s why they went with him so readily to the Embassy at Barren Light in defiance of their Clan leader’s orders. They were squad. They’d go anywhere for their beloved and fabled former leader and brother. Then it all goes to shit, and half of them got killed, leaving only Kivva, Pivallo, and Ezekko, all of whom got banished to dangerous and remote guard duty upon their return for their loyalty to Kotallo, whom Tekotteh despises. His insecurities about Kotallo being more worthy to lead are justified in his eyes because an entire squad disobeyed his orders not to leave the Bulwark, and followed Kotallo instead, hence the punishment.

If Kotallo goes back to the Bulwark, Kivva is kind to him, but Pivallo was different after Kotallo’s injury, and Kotallo never gets over how much that hurt. After all, squad is family, and he grew up with these folks.