Things seemed to slide back to normal after Dorian's talk with Felix and everything just felt better.
Felix wouldn't remain home for long, just a few weeks, but by the time he left to go back to Orlais, Dorian was feeling like his old self again; he was back to studying hard, reading, writing his essays and catching up in a few ignored letters from distant families and contacts he had made with Livia's other students.
Cassian was a distant memory by the time summer had returned to Tevinter and the day Dorian reached his nineteenth year, a grand celebration was hold at the Alexius' household.
It was a small gathering and, just like the other two years Dorian had celebrated his day of birth in the Alexius' household, Dorian's parents were absent, but they sent gifts and letters for Dorian to read.
The letters were strange to read, Dorian felt; impersonal, distant, as if his parents weren't sure who they were dealing with, but they always ended the same way; wishing him well and hoping that he was doing okay as well as reminding him that they missed him and loved him.
The first letter like that he had burned, but as of late, Dorian had started collecting them, keeping them in a leather-folder for later.
Alexius and he had spent a lot of time talking about him and his parents, their relationship with him in an attempt to start mending the bridges that had been burned so long ago. They spoke of Dorian's feelings on the matter and Alexius in turn relayed all the letters that had been sent to him from Dorian's father; letters of curiosity, of worry, asking how Dorian was doing. Letters from a concerned father who wanted to see his son again. While he still insisted on them holding off any meetings until the time was right, he wanted Dorian to know that his parents were still looking out for him, worrying about him, loving him.
After learning that, Dorian felt he couldn't blame them for their actions. Not anymore.
It might have been extreme, but with age, Dorian had come to understand their motivations. It might not have been the right choices, but Dorian knew that they had only wanted to secure a future for their only son and with that knowledge alone, he couldn't be angry with them. He was still hurt; the ache inside him still noticeable despite having been soothed, but he hoped that with time, that too would heal.
As the summer continued, Dorian became aware of the disaster that was happening in the South; the fifth blight had started, the arch demon all but confirmed to be real and Ferelden was in shambles from the disaster.
Dorian, while interested in what was going on, it was not everyday a blight happened after all, found that news were hard to come by.
Rumours had it that the King of Ferelden had died, betrayed by one of his own and that the legendary Grey Wardens were all but wiped out.
Things were looking grim, word had it and it seemed like the rest of Thedas was holding their breath, just watching and waiting to see what would happen. Tevinter, unsurprisingly, ignored any pleads for help.
Not that anyone had asked, as far as Dorian knew. Everyone knew Tevinter would not do anything unless danger was breathing down their own necks.
He did, however, feel sorry for the people in the South and his prayers went to them, wishing them well.
Summer soon gave way to autumn, and then winter as the weeks flew by,
Everything was going by routine by then; days of practise with magic, staff-wielding and physical training. Dorian was learning how to fence and how to use daggers, but he was also learning how to dance. That part was more embarrassing as the only dance-partner he had outside the tutor Alexius had hired, who happened to be a very unattractive man in very tight, unflattering clothes and with the most ridiculous moustache and beard Dorian had ever seen, was Lady Livia.
He had questioned the need to learn to dance, and Alexius had explained the importance of dance was mainly two reasons; dancing was an excellent way to keep limbs nimble and make the body agile, elegant on the battlefield. Dancing was also a language in itself in court and during balls, allowing for private discussions and to impress.
While not Dorian's favourite past-time, he did enjoy dancing and the tutor had expressed the talent he had for it; with his slender, lean and fine-muscled body, the long limbs and the air he carried himself with gave him an elegance and style that he had not seen in a long, long time, the tutor had said, which in turn had made Dorian swell some with pride.
Being praised always felt good, even now.
At the beginning of the new year, Dragon 9:31, Alexius came to Dorian's room, giving the door a sharp rap before opening it. He was smiling, holding a letter in his hand as he approached Dorian, who was sitting by his desk, a perplexed look on his face.
"Master Alexius?"
"Wonderful news, Dorian," Alexius said while offering Dorian the letter.
"Please, do read them yourself."
Dorian took the letter and started reading, his eyes slowly widening as he took in the words.
"Esteemed Gereon Alexius,
It is with great honour and pleasure that we announce the acceptance of your student, Altus Dorian Pavus, to our Circle, as sponsored by yourself.
We have seen the work done by young Master Pavus as presented to us by yourself, and we are most impressed with the level of knowledge that is shown in the reports and thesis's thus far.
Because of this, we would like to start the preparations for young Master Pavus' harrowing as soon as possible so the young Master can be officially written into the Circle and reach the rank of Enchanter, making him able to further continue his research and work with us.
We will alert you of the time of his harrowing shortly and we trust that you will continue to prepare him for his tests.
With respect,
First Enchanter Raminus Marcellinus
Circle of Minrathous"
Dorian's own hands were trembling ever so slightly as he lowered the letter, looking up at Alexius with his mouth slightly open.
He wanted to say something, wanted to ask what this meant, his mind not believing the words that were written down.
Alexius seemed to have noticed Dorian's surprised look, laughing softly as he gestured to the letter.
"My dear boy, you have been accepted. You are to complete your studies with the Circle of Minrathous, my very own Circle. It is no Circle of Carastes, but I find that Circle highly overrated. In Minrathous, you will have access to books and knowledge beyond your wildest dream. It is the capital of the Imperium, after all. You will have everything readily available to you, if you continue to do as well as you have up until now and you will continue to flourish there, this I know."
"I... I do not know what to say," Dorian managed to croak out, his voice cracking ever so slightly as he stood up.
"I find that "thank you" usually suffices," Alexius mused. "That or you can send me a fruit-basket once the Harrowing is completed. I do love fruit-baskets."
Dorian let out a small chuckle before walking over to Alexius, wrapping his arms around him in a firm hug. "Thank you, Master," he whispered, squeezing Alexius close to him, feeling overcome with gratitude and happiness.
Alexius merely smiled back and returned the hug. "There now, boy. If you start crying on me, then we will both start and then where will we be?" he mused, giving Dorian's back a few, firm pats before pulling back, putting his hands on Dorian's shoulders instead.
"Just look at you, Dorian. With all the dangers of sounding like an old man, I still remember you barely reaching up to my shoulder. Now... Now we can look each other in the eyes as equals, as men."
Dorian had almost not realised it himself, but he had gone from looking up at Alexius until being able to actually look him the eyes, at least height-wise. Mentally, he would always look up to Alexius because the man was great. Grander than he was.
"I will call you equal," he said instead, his smile warm and wide. "When I can look you in the eyes with the title of Magister. Until then, you are my Master, my mentor."
Alexius laughed and gave Dorian's shoulders a firm squeeze. "Listen to yourself," he mused. "Two years ago, you would never have even entertained the thought of becoming a Magister. Have you changed your mind, young Pavus?"
Dorian let out a small snort. "Hardly, but it is my father's wish and if I have to take it, then maybe I can do something good with it at some point. It is not something that is concerning me as off yet, my father isn't about to die anytime soon as far as I know."
Still, he knew there was always the reality of death lurking; diseases, accidents, downright murder. Many Magisters had died at the hands of rivals and Dorian knew many more would die in a similar fashion in the future.
"For now, I will focus on my Harrowing, now that the opportunity has been presented to me."
"And you do right with that," Alexius agreed, releasing Dorian from his arms.
"Take this night off, dear boy. Celebrate with me and Livia, or in town, you have more than earned some time to yourself. We will have enough to do in the weeks to come, you must be prepared in any way possible."
"Thank you, master," Dorian said with a smile. "Please, share this night with me. I do not want to drink with strangers, I'd rather be surrounded by friendly faces."
"Then that is what we will do," Alexius promised. "Come when you are ready, dinner will be served in not long. I have already asked for the cook to make something special for today. It is a day to be celebrated!"
Dorian merely continued to smile as Alexius left the room, closing the door behind him. He returned to the desk so he could read the letter again, unable to believe his luck. All his hard work over the last four years was finally bearing fruits and now... Now he would finally be allowed to call himself Enchanter.
It had taken a long time, especially at the start of Alexius' tutoring, for Dorian to love and appreciate his magic again. He was able to find joy in casting it, feeling it inside him and while he knew that magic was everything in Tevinter, he felt he could do more than just wield it as a weapon or use it to inspire fear.
He had yet to choose his speciality, that much he knew, but he had read about so many different ways magic could be used. In truth, he did not know what to pick yet, but now he had time to truly think about it. He knew many mages that did not choose anything, merely spending time perfecting the basic spells, but he wanted something... Special. Something unique.
"I have time," he murmured to himself, holding the letter up so he could read it for a third time.
"Because of this, we would like to start the preparations for young Master Pavus' harrowing as soon as possible so the young Master can be officially written into the Circle and reach the rank of Enchanter, making him able to further continue his research and work with us."
Sitting down, Dorian pushed his papers aside before fishing up a fresh piece of parchment, eagerly dipping his quill into the ink so he could write Felix. He, more than anyone, deserved to know the good news, having been a pillar of support in everything for Dorian.
"Dearest Felix,
Your father presented the most wonderful news to me today. I have been accepted to do my Harrowing at the Circle of Minrathous and if I pass, I will officially be written into the Circle's books.
I never thought I would say it, but it is truly a dream come true for me. Now I can finally do proper work and perhaps do some good for our homeland."
He hesitated some, lifting his quill to the side so the tip wouldn't drip onto the parchment.
Felix was so far away; across the Waking Sea and then some, yet Dorian so desperately wanted him there... He knew if he asked, Felix would drop everything and come, but he could not ask that of him. He already owed him so much, and the man did have his own life.
Biting at his bottom lip, Dorian pushed the letter aside until he could properly word how much he missed Felix and would like him to be there without guilt-tripping him.
Instead he located a second piece of parchment, placing it on the desk and dipping his quill into the ink again.
"Dear Mother and Father,
I am sure you are surprised to hear from me and in all honesty, I am surprised that I am writing this. I am not sure if I will send it or if Alexius will even allow me to, but we shall see.
I am most well, better than I have been in a long time and I wanted to deliver some good news to you. I am sure you have already heard it from Alexius, as I understand it he has kept you updated on my progress and status. I hope the news you have received has pleased you.
Still, I too wanted to inform you of the news that I have been accepted to take my Harrowing at the Circle in Minrathous. Not the first school of your choice, I know, but I am not about to overlook the offer as it is presented to me. I am sure you would agree, considering my past.
I do hope you will be there, even if you will not watch over my tests. As I understand it, part of it is done in private, under the watchful eye of the First Enchanter and a handful of trusted men. It makes me curious about what I am about to face, but I will learn that soon enough, I suspect.
I do miss you both dearly, and I hope you are well.
I love you both.
Your son,
Dorian"