Better Be Bold

Zaria presented one of her potions to sheikh Zahabia, who scrutinized it with interest.
"It's good we got you here. You were wasted at amir Farouq's," he said kindly.
She inclined her head politely.
"Thank you, sheikh. I like to learn from master Mawhub. And one day soon you - or he - might have me pegged for promotion."
She smiled thinly.
"The pecking order at amir's 'court' was sadly devoid of pegs, when it came to magic..."
Open ambition in a woman was not common in these parts.
"What would you want to be promoted to?" he decided to humor her.