There was a pool in the temple in which Sahar lived, and it was there that she chose to do her scrying. While it was not the only way in which she could use her gift--fire and glass worked just as well--there was something pure, cleansing, and calming about water, and she felt connected to it in a way she didn't with the others. Water was in her veins, after all; it was part her and everything else.
Some days, people visited the temple for answers and guidance, and she put her skills to work to, hopefully, set them back on their rightful path. Sometimes, her mother visited her and warned her of the dangers that came with counsel.
You've got a gift, but don't be too free with it, she'd say. It might catch someone's interest, and not in the way you'd hope.
Sahar pretended to understand and didn't ask what she meant, because it made no difference. She was a servant of Hakeshna and she was given this gift for a reason.
It was early morning and the city was waking, and no one had come to the temple yet. But after a rough night's sleep, Sahar had woken early and gone out to the pool to meditate and reflect. She trailed a hand through the water in a spinning motion, causing whirling ripples and scattering the fish swimming beneath, and peered at the shapes the ripples made. But it was just water, no visions for now.
She had no questions to ask for herself; she knew she was on the right path. Besides, the gift did not work that way.
She was still watching the fish, their easy movements lulling her into a calm, relaxed state that was bordering on drowsy, like bed might sound good, when something fleshy landed with an audible plop on her shoulder.
Sahar went rigid and, slowly, turned her head to look.
And found herself staring into the beady eyes of a snake.
Whatever calm tranquility she had been going for shattered in that moment.
With a blood-curdling scream to wake the dead, Sahar jerked to the side as though trying to get away from it--even though it was on her--and, still screaming, smacked at it to dislodge it--
Right as that jerking motion sent her toppling over and into the fountain with a splash.
