With another rasp of metal, the hatch was closed. In the silence that followed, she considered her reply again and again. Did I say it right? Was it the right thing to say?

The hatch opened again, revealing a much younger face than before. Its eyes locked onto her immediately with an intense stare before a voice calmly asked, “And what do you seek?”

Another test. How many of these would there be? She deserved it – knew in her heart and mind that they could not possibly reject her. Could they? She forced herself back to the question. What am I looking for? Her second answer was no more certain than the first.

“I seek entry through the door you guard. I seek entrance to the Guild, membership of the Assembly, refuge in the Gathering.”