On the day Adria went to the searchers haven there was no wind. Just a light snowfall. As she hiked the two miles her feet became numb with cold. The thin, worn leather shoes, that Adria rarely wore, were wrapped and tied tightly around her feet but the cold still seemed to find its way through.

When Adria found herself standing infront of the door that lead to the interview, she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. Her lifelong dream sat waiting for her just out of reach. And Adria had no way of knowing if she would be able to grasp that dream and build it into reality or if it would just float away with this one interview.

Finally, Adria knocked. The door was opened by an elderly woman with long grey hair and icy blue eyes. She smiled and the ice in her eyes seemed to melt into gentle blue puddles.

"Hello. What may I do fur ya?" She asked in a heavily accented voice.

"I'm here for the interview." Adria said.

"To go to thee Deltera's? But yer jest a girl." The woman said frowning, the doubt in her voice was obvious.

"I'm fifteen. I'll be sixteen in a few days." Adria replied her feelings bursting with anger, but she kept her voice even, "Now, are you going to let me in or are you just going to make me stand out here and freeze to death?"

"Oh, sorray. Do come in." The woman said in a hurry.

As Adria entered the building she saw part of the searchers riches. The beautifully decorated walls held paintings and tapestries of colorful ledgeds and the soft woven rug on the wooden floor brushed lightly against Adria's thin shoes.

" 'ave a seat. I'll get Fenald."

The elderly woman rushed off, leaving Adria to enjoy the beautiful room alone.

Fenyald strolled into the room where Adria sat in a large brown bearskin chair. He plopped down across from her. His eyes drifted across the room then met Adria's. He was silent for a second then he cleared his throat and began, "I'm Fenyald co-leader of the searchers." He stopped and waited for Adria to introduce herself.

"Oh, I'm Adria." She said once she realized the man was waiting for her to introduce herself.

"Adria. I think I've seen you around town." Fenyald commented almost to himself.

The room was silent. Adria shifted uncomfortably in the massive, soft chair.

"Why do you want to go to the Deltera mountains for us?" Fenyald spoke for all the searchers.

"I... Well, I... I want to become a searcher." Adria said, embarrassed.

"You do know you could just go to ward school. It would be easier and safer. Especially for a girl." Fenyald said, adding the last part almost as an afterthought.

"My family can't afford it. Thanks to your stupid king and his taxes." Adria snapped, her mood changing in an instant. Then she realized what she had said and and muttered a small "sorry." Now, she knew, she blew it. She would never be a searcher.

Fenyald chuckled. He knew it was okay, he needed to have an easy manner for these interviews.

"How old are you?" Fenyald continued the interview.

"Fifteen. I'll be sixteen in three days." Adria said, looking down at the woven rug.

"Look up when you speak. If you're going to go to the northern mountains you'll have to leave in five days, for training, and you'd be exactly on our age limit. plus two days of course."

"Yes, I know."

"And we'd probably want you to survive long enough to complete your mission, so training is necessary. "

Adria nodded to show she was listening.

"I'd think the captain would most likely want someone older. But we'll see."

Adria sat in dreaded silence waiting for more, but nothing came. When Fenyald finally did speak all he said was a simple "good day" and got up and left.

When Adria was sure that he wasn't coming back she got up the the chair and exited the door. With no escort and no way of knowing if she would become a searcher.