A new enclave

"You are assigned to the Furthinghome Enclave." Her teacher said with a bland tone as he handed her the first red attire she ever had. She kept her expression serious, she thanked him for his generosity, for sharing with his knowledge, and for enduring her all these years. She didn't allow herself to deviate from strict formality, even if her mind was racing.

Furthinghome was the second largest city in the neighbor kingdom Aglarond, and while trade between the countries was blooming, Daphne hadn't heard of any enclaves being founded in Simbul's domains. It must be a dangerous assignment then, local hostility could easily overcome diplomatic agreements, with few resources committed to its safety. It was even worse than she expected, as she found out when she discussed with her master in private.

"No one. There is no one in charge of the enclave, in fact it wasn't even established yet. There is no one 'waiting for you', there is no Thayan soil waiting for you, there are no bodyguards except those you bring with you. The Guild of Foreign Trade gave you permission to create the enclave without its usual charter fee." His tone was thick with bitterness, and for good reason. Regardless of danger these endeavors were great opportunities to quickly amass enormous wealth and prestige, and an apprentice had no right to bypass her betters for an opportunity such as this.

"I don't have the capital to start something like this." She was only stating the obvious, but no Thay liked to admit helplessness. "The soldiers, the local terrain, the bribes to local nobles, the wares, it will all cost a fortune" but neither could she just decline the assignment, not if she ever wanted to be trusted with anything of importance again. "But if a generous patron would back me up... the potential for profit is huge."

"True, you only need to find someone foolhardy enough to trust a girl with his money." she couldn't see even a glimpse of greed in his eyes. "Maybe if I looked... in the right place?" she lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip, she didn't feel any attraction for the gaudy old man, but she rather debase herself in private than in public. This broke his seriousness and he burst in laughter, hardly the reaction he was hoping for.

"Perhaps if your boyfriend were looking I would be interested, Daphne. You lack the, ahem, attributes I look for in my mates." Daphne eyes went wild, she had always assumed the old man was ogling her, like most other man. It was hard not to be offended. "I will give you a name instead. Mumed Ankhalab. He is rich and decadent, if that is really what you are looking for."