It was the year 9:33 Dragon and time, Dorian discovered, passed differently while in the Circle.
The Blight in Ferelden had ended two years ago, the Archdemon defeated, a new king was elected, Logain the betrayer had been executed and the Hero of Ferelden took over as Fereldens new Warden Commander.
Then there was the situation in Amaranthine, where rumours of an intelligent Darkspawn had been discovered, but since there was no evidence outside of the word of the Hero of Ferelden, Tevinter did not care.
In fact, Tevinter ignored everything as if it was simple, unimportant news.
No, the news that ran through the Imperium were more "important" to the Magisters.
The ongoing battle with the Qunari, the ever-growing slave-trade and, according to rumours, a Magister Danarius being vivid because he had lost one of his most prized slaves. The noise he made about it completely overshadowed the stories about the Blight because, as Danarius claimed, he had just lost the most important magical discovery since the discovery of hedge magic.
At least that was what the rumours said.
Dorian had never actually seen or spoke to Danarius himself, but Alexius had had a rather intense discussion with his wife about the "unethical treatment" Danarius had with his slaves, and something about inserting Lyrium under the skin of one of them. As far as Dorian remembered, Magister Danarius had showed off his slave at a party, boasting about the power the slave had and how obedient he was, something that had disgusted Alexius to no-end.
Dorian had been wrapped up in the affairs with Cassian at the time so he hadn't paid much attention, but the memories came back when he heard about Danarius losing his prized slave in the jungles of Seheron. He couldn't say he felt sorry for him, especially of the rumours about him were true.
As it was, Dorian himself was guilty of not paying much mind to the situations that were going on even now, but it was not because of lack of interest. It was the lack of time in-between his studies.
Unsurprisingly, juggling his own private affairs together with his work and his family was hard, but Dorian was nothing if not a fast learner. He had expected as much thanks to Alexius and his training, but nothing would ever compare to actually doing it.
Still, he worked hard, he was focused and it was getting results.
Now two years had passed since he had first entered the Circle in Minratheous and Dorian was carving a rather unorthodox name for himself.
He was known for his talent, his smarts and his magic, but he was also known for being "different". Rumours were flying, but they were not in relation to his private affairs. In fact, it was his way of thinking that had people talking.
Despite his young age of merely twenty-two years, Dorian was showing a maturity in his way of thinking that surpassed those of his peers. He was active in debates and discussions at school, and his arguments were always well thought-out and logical, even if he made a habit of making it sound like he was bored or what he said was the most obvious thing in the world. It didn't make him popular, but it did make him somewhat respected.
That didn't mean he was still a young man with an impulse-control that was flying in all directions at times.
After he's rather failed attempts at something that could resemble a relationship, Dorian had settled for the occasional affair with other male students or people he met when he ventured outside of the circle.
At the start, he was even fine with it. Sure, some time could pass between each adventure, but when he was on the path, it was exciting. The nights were passionate, rough, with Dorian sucking up all the pleasure he could. While he still gave as much as he took, he had learned that he had to be selfish when it came to sex. If he wanted pleasure, he had to ensure that he got it himself because, in the end, both parties would be selfish for the same reasons.
It was risky of course; if he was not careful and covered his affairs properly, his reputation would quickly plummet, but there was nothing if not some poetic justice in what he was doing. After all, nobody wanted to admit that they were fucking another man, not even to get an edge on the other.
Of course, some of the students that disliked him tried to get him off guard by attempting to put him in awkward situations.
Like the situation that could have ended in a complete disaster when one of his fellow students, a rather well-endowed young woman by the name of Carmilla started making more aggressive passes at him, and doing it rather obviously so.
Not that Dorian was surprised; he was aware of his good looks, but he was also aware that Carmilla was a shameless sort of woman, flirting with anyone who she believed she could get something of value from, be it status, possessions or information. She knew she was attractive, with her long, black and wavy hair, sweet face and an hour-glass figure that would make the most holy of men turn their heads with desire in their eyes, and she knew she could get what she wanted by using her physical assets to her advantage.
And Dorian was a man who was quickly rising in rank and respect, and it wasn't exactly a secret that his father was still ambitious about his son's future.
She had been flirting with Dorian for some time now, subtly first, but he had ignored her, not willing to even entertain the notion of pretending to be interested for a quick laugh, but that only served to make her more persistent. Evidently, she was not used to being denied and Dorian's complete lack of interest apparently sparked something in her.
It had been the evening of a rather dull ball when Carmilla had managed to corner Dorian when he stepped out for air. She had approached him, placed her hands on his chest and as she pushed him against the railings of the balcony they were on, she also leaned in to kiss him, whispering sweet, honeyed words that made Dorian want to gag as her lips aimed for his slowly. When he deflected by leaning his head back, she had taken his hands and placed them square on her chest, squeezing her own hands over his so he would get a good handful.
"Am I not woman enough for you? Or is it rumours of you fucking men true?"
Dorian had merely raised an eyebrow before removing his hands from her chest.
"Trust me, Carmilla," he had said, hoping his face was as neutral as his voice. "You are very much a woman. However, unlike my fellow male students, I do not let my cock decide for me and I have no interest in becoming another one of your playthings. And before you start defending yourself, I am fully aware of the amount of people you have slept with as I have caught you with your tongue down many a man's throat. Mine, however, is not one you will have the pleasure of sampling."
With that, he had left her standing outside, her face burning with shame, unknowing to the spark of anger and humiliation that he had now lit inside her.
That is when the rumours of his preferences truly started and with it, more awkward situations.
Like the elfen prostitute that ended up in his room after Dorian had spent a rather long night of drinking.
If Dorian had been insecure about his attractions before, the sight of the naked woman on his bed, spread before him was enough to make him very secure that -this- was not what he wanted.
He was surprised that he had been able to be as calm about it as he had, but he suspected that the alcohol helped in that.
It was still awkward, trying to make the young woman dress without insulting her, but there was also something in her eyes that made Dorian all the more concerned for her well-being over his own.
As it turned out, she had been prepaid for and if she came out too soon, they would think she was a poor lover or that she was a liar, which in turn would result in them taking the money back and if that happened… She didn't have to elaborate, Dorian understood perfectly well what would happen.
At best, she would be sent to a new "assignment".
At worse, she would be beaten, possibly fatally so.
Instead, Dorian taught her chess and together they enjoyed a couple of rounds while Dorian made small-talk, complimenting her on how quick she picked up on the game and how lovely her hair.
She left sometime in the early morning, but not before giving him a kiss on the cheek and thanking him for a lovely night. The look of gratitude and happiness in her eyes was more than enough to make Dorian feel pleased with the result; at least he had bought her freedom from her occupation for one evening.
That and being able to flash his peers a shit-eating grin made everything worth it for himself as he had no doubt that her exit had been watched closely.
The rumours only escalated from there, but Dorian did his best in ignoring them. He knew that responding to them or getting defensive would only add fuel to the fire, but it also meant that flirting with his fellow students could cost him dearly.
He started seeking his entertainment elsewhere, letting his eyes land on the laetans or even the soporati. It wasn't because he thought he was so much better than them, but he knew there was a risk that came with the game he suddenly found himself playing. If he was caught fucking someone from a lower class than himself, they could both risk rather harsh punishment, but at the same time, the rewards were so much better.
In time he found that he preferred the men belonging to the soporati class, especially the men that worked with physical labour. Rugged, big, with muscles that could break stone. He had slept with many men who had taken great care in their physique, but it was completely different to see a man who actually knew how to use his body. He found himself easily submitting himself to those men, loving the feel of their stubble on his skin, on strong hands gripping on his body and the rough kisses places both on his lips and his body. They gave as much as they received and if they minded Dorian's rather selfish chase of his own passion, they never complained. They gave and Dorian took because that's what he was used to.
When they were done, it was Dorian who snuck away from their bed, quickly returning to his own room under the cloak of darkness, never to see them again. No names were exchanged, no indication of who they were.
They got what they wanted and Dorian was contend with that. For now.
Then there were the letters that came from his family.
It didn't happen often, but every now and then he would get a letter subtly reminding him of his duties back home, that he had a fiancée waiting, but Dorian was able to pacify them as well. A quick word to let them know that he wanted to focus on his studies, to reach the title of Senior Enchanter without the worry of other things, was enough to satisfy his father. He wondered sometimes why his father kept asking him to come home and marry when he knew that Dorian wanted to wait, but he had a feeling that it was a test. A test to see if Dorian was working towards the goal or of he was stalling. He knew his father kept close tabs on his merits and accomplishments, but he found that he didn't mind so much. Especially not when his father praised him, both in his letters and in public. It made him feel good and in return it motivated him to work harder.
All in all, it was a good life. A decent life.
Dorian found he did not mind the life at all if not for the threat of marriage hanging over his head, but that… He would deal with that as it came.
Other than that, he found that he was settling and with the realisation of what he could do came the dreams. The dreams of a better Tevinter, of a reformed Tevinter.
A Tevinter that would be open, that could open their arms and borders towards the rest of Thedas. Of a Tevinter that would share their culture, their knowledge with the rest of the South.
It saddened him to know that he knew precious few people that felt the same way as he did. There was Livia, Gereon and Felix of course, but they were merely three people.
For now, the dreams of a better Tevinter seemed to be just that.
A dream.