It had been a few months since Valmora Kryst had come into Thedas, falling through a Fade rift with Camren Trevelyan after she herself had been sucked through a portal when the Breach opened. She wondered from time to time if she was even going to be missed, if anyone would look for her, but she couldn't do anything about it and decided to not let it bother her anymore. She usually went with Camren and some of his other companions, trained with the soldiers when she had the time or she helped with cooking meals for everyone.

Val began to grow comfortable around the people of the Inquisition- especially Camren and his inner circle and advisors. Cassandra she had already met and knew she could trust, though she wished she would be less abrupt with Camren. Leliana she had also met, but while the spymaster put up a friendly face Val knew that she could be your worst enemy just as quickly as having your back. Josephine was a little fru-fru pretty rich girl, but she was humble and knew how to do her job as an ambassador. Solas was wise, but he seemed to act like he was better than everyone else just because he knew more about everything. Varric was a sarcastic joker, but he had a good heart and would have your back every time. Blackwall reminder her of her father, strong willed, caring, and protective. Vivienne was a pompous twat of a noble lady and had her staff so far up her ass that it was no wonder she was so stuck up. This lady thought she knew best and she was worse than Solas- she even corrected Solas much to Val's amusement. The Iron Bull was like Varric, sarcastic, joked around, and would have your back, but there was something about him that was differentt. For one thing, he had giant horns coming out of his head and gray skin- which was apparently normal for Qunari. Dorian was interesting- he was a mage like Solas and Vivienne, but he was from a country known as Tevinter- and Val wasn't surprised to find out that he preferred the fellows to the gals.

One day while Camren went out with Varric, Blackwall, and Solas to the Fallow Mire, Val was training with some of the other soldiers. She faced off against several of the men, winning each match. When no one else wanted to spar with her, Val decided to go to the tavern and find the strongest drink she could. The sun was slipping behind the mountains, but the sky remained lit because of the Breach.

Finding a seat by herself, Val sat down with a bottle of whiskey in her hand. Since she had come to Thedas, she had taken to drinking when she could to dull the pain of being trapped in this strange world forever.

The night progressed and the tavern began to fill. Val took her bottle of whiskey and left the tavern, going outside where it was a little quieter. She walked towards a tent she thought was empty and sat inside. She took a swig and leaned against the bed that was inside.

"What are you doing?"

The sudden voice made Val jump and she stared at the Commander sitting at his desk. She blushed, realizing she had slipped into his tent.

"Fucking shit! Sorry, Commander." she said, hiccuping as she stood. "I just needed somewhere quiet. I'll leave you in peace."

Cullen looked at her. "How much have you had to drink?"

Val looked down at the bottle. "So far it's just this one bottle. I'm thinking I'll go fetch another from the kitchens once I'm done with this one." She replied with a slur and a smile as she looked back up at him.

Cullen set down his reports and stood. "You shouldn't be drinking so much, Val." He reached for the bottle, but she swatted it away from her.

"Ah, leave me be, Cullen." She said, waving him off.

Cullen looked at her, concerned. "Valmora, you have had too much to drink. Let me have the bottle before you make yourself sick."

Val looke up at him. "You're not the boss of me, Cullen. Using my full name isn't going to scare me; you're not my father. Just leave me be." She pushed passed him and left the tent.

Cullen didn't know what kind of trouble she could get into, so he followed after her and found her on the hill overlooking the frozen river. He went to join her as she gazed up at the Breach. "Val, is everything alright?"

She sighed, taking another swig of whiskey. "You know, when my parents were killed in an accident, I thought that was the day that I lost everything. Now that I'm here, I feel like I've lost everything all over again."

Cullen looked at the Renton girl. They had known each other for nearly four months, but he felt like they had grown somewhat close. War and chaos and destruction of one's world could do that to people. From what he had been able to discern of this girl, she was a kind soul, loving and protective of those she cares about. She was a skilled warrior and cook. She had an amazing singing voice that he had only heard when passing the kitchens if she was there alone cooking. She seemed lost and afraid, but what could he expect from someone thrown into a world like this? She never turned them away, never once broke her promise to protect Camren- the newly named Herald of Andraste- and yet through everything she was trying to learn what she could of this world. She studied the books in the Chantry, learning its history and the history of Ferelden and other countries in Orlais. She spoke with Solas and learned what she could of the Fade and demons and spirits.

"I've lost my home, the one friend I had, my father's workshop and training center will shut down, my mother's flower shop will close... I feel like I've let everyone back home down and yet I feel like it wouldn't matter and no one would miss me." Val continued, the alcohol opening her up a bit more than normal.

"You don't seem like the kind of person who'd let anyone down." Cullen said. "You've been here nearly four months with the Inquisition and not once have you disappointed us. You were thrown into our world, into a war between mages and Templars and demons running rampant through the lands, and you've done everything you can to help us stop the chaos and close the Breach. You've more than pulled your weight and more than proved your worth with the Inquisition. We're grateful for you aid."

Val looked down at him, searching his amber eyes. "You're a sweetheart, Cullen." She said, managing a smile. "You're handsome and strong, command such great respect from your men and those around you." She looked down at the bottle of whiskey in her hand. She lifted it and handed the bottle to the Commander. "Here. I think you're right. I've had too much to drink."

Cullen took the half empty bottle and looked at it. "Would you like me to walk you to your tent?"

Val shook her head and did something she nor Cullen expected. She wrapped her arms around the Commander's neck, hugging him. Cullen wasn't sure what to do, so he simply wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on hers. She smelled like whiskey, but also of honeysuckle and raspberries. When Val pulled back, she kissed the Commander's cheek and looked at him. "You're a good person, Cullen. Thank you for letting me ramble a bit. Have a good night." Smiling, she patted his chest and stepped back, heading back down the hill and disappearing into her tent.

Cullen could feel the warmth of her kiss on his cheek and a strange feeling rising in his stomach. 'What is this feeling?' Unsure of what it was, the Commander went back down to his own tent and disappeared inside, trying to finish the reports before he himself went to bed. Down by the tavern though, Varric and Dorian stood together, smirking as they looked at each other after witnessing the Commander and the girl from Renton together.

"This should be good." Varric commented.

"Indeed." Dorian agreed, chuckling.

-O-

The next morning, Val woke with only a slight headache. She didn't usually get hung over, so she was grateful for that. She did remember what happened last night, what was said between her and the Commander, what was done. She blushed a little and went to her small table, grabbing her brush. Leliana and Josephine were kind enough to provide her with the essentials a girl should have, even in war. She brushed her hair and tied it back in a ponytail and looked in the mirror, applying the kohl eyeliner Josephine had managed to acquire for her. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she pulled on her leather armor, grabbed her sword and hooked it on her belt, then pulled her cloak on and went out to the kitchens. She grabbed a quick bite to eat, then went to the training field. She had been helping oversee the training of the soldiers, giving pointers like her father had given her. She looked around, though, and didn't see the Commander. She asked if anyone had seen him yet, and when the answer was no, she gave them instructions for their training session and went to find him. Checking his tent first, she found nothing. She decided to check the chantry next and found him in the war room.

Knocking on the door, she waited for an answer. Cassandra was the one who answered and welcomed her inside.

"Ah, good morning Lady Kryst!" Josephine said. "We were just talking about you."

"You were?" Val asked, raising an eyebrow. She glanced over at the Commander who stood next to her and saw him smirk, the scar on his upper lip twitching a bit. "I hope nothing bad?"

"Not at all." Camren said, grinning at her. "In fact, it couldn't be anything more than good."

"We were discussing giving you a seated position within the Inquisition." Leliana said.

"Really?" Val asked, coming to stand next to Cassandra and Josephine. "I've barely been here four months and I'm not even of this world. Why the fuck would you give me a seat?"

"Your language aside, Val, you have showed incredible skills in battle, a great knowledge of weaponry and their uses, and you have been getting the respect of our soldiers rather quickly." Cullen explained. "I have discussed this with the others and the Herald and we all agree. We would like to offer you a position as my second in command."

"Seriously?" Val asked, looking at everyone. "You guys want me to be the second in command to the Commander of the Inquisition's forces?"

"Yes. We can think of no one better." Camren said, smiling.

"Will you accept?" Cullen asked, not realizing how hopeful he sounded.

Val nodded. "Of course. It'd be an honor."

Cullen smiled and the others sighed in relief. Camren winked at Val and said, "Thank the Maker. Now, to business."

Val stood across the table, listening to what was being discussed. She listened as they spoke of how they needed to find allies, either accepting the invitation of the mages to Redcliffe Village or seeking out the Templars. She listened to the debating and the arguing, heard valid points from both sides.

"If I may interject," she started, raising a hand. "I know I have very little knowledge of what's actually going on, but from what I understand is that you believe a mage may be responsible for the explosion at the Conclave, and it seems that magik is needed to close the Breach once and for all. On the other hand, Camren has been doing well enough alone with that Mark of his so we may not even need the mages. The Templars would be a valuable ally against the mages if a mage was indeed responsible for the explosion. From an outsider's perspective, I would have to agree with Commander Cullen. With such a high possibility of the mages being responsible for the destruction of the Conclave and the Divine's death, it would be best to go with the Templars."

She looked around at everyone, wondering if she spoke out of turn.

"That's an excellent observation." Camren said. "I would have to agree."

"We need allies, nonetheless, Herald." Josephine said. "We must consider all options."

Val had a sudden rush of pain to her skull and excused herself from the meeting, hurrying out of the war room. The others looked at each other, their brows furrowed with concern.

"Cullen, could you check on her?" Camren asked. "We can finish up the meeting without you."

Cullen nodded and hurried after her.

Val needed fresh air and a quiet place, so she made her way towards the woods next to the village, finding an abandoned cabin. She went inside and sat down near the fireplace. She put her head in her hands and tried to massage the pain away. Outside, Cullen had seen her go into the woods and followed after her.

"Val?" he called, opening the door. "Are you alright?"

Val nodded. "Ya, I just needed some fresh air and somewhere quiet."

"What's going on?"

"I don't know. I had a sudden rush of pain in my head and it nearly knocked me to my knees. I didn't want the others to worry, so I excused myself."

"We are worried, Val." Cullen said, coming to stand in front of her. He took off his gloves and offered to massage her temples. "May I?"

Val nodded. She sat back and let her new boss massage her temples, his calloused fingers gently rubbing the soft skin at her temples. She felt the pain slowly receeding and sighed contently. "Thank you, Commander."

Cullen smiled. "Of course."

"Commander, I um, should apologize for last night. I don't usually drink that much and if I made you feel uncomfortable in anyway, I'm sorry." Val said, looking up at him.

Cullen looked down at her, seeing her striking blue eyes searching his own in hopes that he wasn't angry or upset with her. "It's alright. You seemed like you needed to talk and I was willing to listen. I'm always willing to listen."

Val touched his hands and smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Are you feeling better?"

Val nodded and stood. "Yes, thank you. I'm sorry, Commander."

"Don't be. As long as you are fine, that's all that matters. Can you return to duty?"

Val nodded. "Shall we?"

Cullen nodded and gestured for her to go first. Val smiled and they returned to the village and their duties.