Decline the offer

Eltabbar, Thay

One doesn't survive long in Thay by trusting other's charity. "The Lady of Poison is dearest in my heart, but she has no patience for weaklings that beg for her favor all the time. I will face this trial alone."

The stench in the streets of Eltabbar was even worse than usual. A new batch of filthy goblin slaves was being moved across the city's tortuous paths to one of the many **** markets, and whoever was responsible decided his new wares wouldn't get any more valuable by a hearty application of soap and water. The little creatures bickered constantly, but Daphne never bothered to learn their crude language.

The Dryad knew her way around the city, it had been her home since her talent for wizardry was detected almost a decade earlier, she knew to keep an eye open as she navigated the crowd, so she wasn't caught unaware when another began to tailor her.

He was a shorter man, and of Rashemi descent. Short, stocky, dusky skinned. He wore a cloak, not at all unusual, but roomy enough to conceal a dagger or a short sword. Daphne pretended not to notice him, luring him closer, until he was close enough to hear her words.

"Tvam mama mitram" 'i am your friend'. Despite her diluted blood Daphne still had full access to her Dryad heritage, it was often simpler and easier to tap them than using the spells she had to painfully labor to memorize before casting.

"My... friend?" his look had an increasing desperation, as if something was robbed of him.

"Daphne" the mage offered, setting him more at ease. "You weren't going to hurt me with that, were you?" she gestures towards the dagger he held under his cloak.

It startled him to realize he was holding it, and even more think what he was going to do. "No! It was..." his mind scurried between the truth and an excuse, trying to find which would hurt her the least.

"A gift?" she offered, extending her hand, and he was grateful that he could hand over that hateful burden. "I am sure that is what... oh, what was it that sent this?". The dagger was crude, hammered cold iron, and with a single blood red gemstone decorating the pummel.

"Avrak. uh..." his instructions clashed with the charm, and Daphne could see she was pressing her luck already. "Thank you, I will tell him you brought it to me" he accepted it, and stumbled elsewhere, losing himself in the crowd.

The rest of the way was uneventful, and she reached the villa where she lived and studied. Tall walls isolated the place from the nearby city noise, but even more, illusions assured that none of the noise or smell reached the place where a collection of Red Wizards plied their trade.

She lived close to the orchards, close enough to replenish her strengths every day. Technically there wasn't any real need for the apprentices to cull each other out, but rivalry was as much a part of Thayan culture as slavery or magical meritocracy. Avrak was a brilliant evoker of the finest noble breed, he had a strong personality that left little doubt that he would rise high and fast as soon as he earned the Red Robes, and many apprentices had decided he would be better friend than foe.

Daphne wasn't any different, she had flirted with him early on, and for years he was her stalwart defender. It ended when the teachers noted her knack with crafting wands, and required her participation in a magical circle. She was the first of her age to receive the honor, to add her power to those of her betters. She was elated at the honor, and perhaps shared it too much with Avrak.