Disclaimer: Only Alani and any people you don't recognize are mine.

A/N: It has been brought to my attention that the Room of Visions is too much like the Ordeal of Knighthood, so I've changed what you see a bit. Now the Room can only make you relive your past or see part of your future. But you still can't tell what you see in there.

Chapter 2-The Room: Alani followed Lark to the Temple of the Four Elements, the temple where all dedicates went for holiday services and the place where the Room of Visions was located. She pushed the thoughts of Tortall out of her head and concentrated on the task ahead of her, just as she'd been told. She began to wonder what she would see.

When she got there, Rosethorn was helping a shaking Glaki out of the Room. That meant it was Ani's turn. Passing her friend, she smiled slightly. Glaki gave a weak grin in reply. Slowly, she opened the door and went inside.

It wasn't so scary on the inside, Alani thought. She could take this. All she saw was a simple room, plain stone and nothing else. But then the air shimmered, and her stomach lurched with sudden fear.

She sat on a sturdy pony, short sword held aloft. Others – her comrades – fought beside her. Her group's standard fluttered on the wind – a crimson pony on a brown field. Nearby, her gaze showed her knights and other warriors. The battle was fast and fierce, but Ani knew the art of war. Moving forward, she joined the latest charge. All at once, she faced the leader. They dueled, her sword like lightning, his like shining death. All at once, her blade dropped and he moved in for the kill. She drew her dagger and threw it. The knife pierced his skull and he dropped from his charger, dead. She turned away, and saw the enemy retreat. Her comrades began to cheer. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her. An arrow had pierced her heart. As she slid from her mount, she knew: this was death. Yet it mattered little; she had done her duty. Dimly she heard someone scream her name, while she saw a vague, purple–tinted shadow loom over her, sending magic into her dying body. Didn't they know it was too late? Her instincts had told her she was beyond saving, and so she was. She had accepted her fate; they could do nothing. She had few regrets, and her life had been short but worthwhile. As her breath slowed and her heart stilled, Alani felt at peace. The cool darkness of death reached out, and she did not resist. Instead, she relaxed and allowed Death to take her into his eternal embrace. She didn't hear the voice calling her name , nor did she feel the tug as the arrow was pulled from her frozen heart, or the fire of magic that struggled to revive her cold, lifeless shell as her final breath left her and her spirit fell into oblivion.

Alani fell to the floor, trembling. She had seen – felt her own death, but she didn't know when it would happen. She was sure the trial was over, but an amber light suddenly filled the air. A woman stood before her, tall and golden–skinned, with a quiver of arrows slung on her back and a bow resting in her hand. Ani gasped. This was Tanu, goddess of female warriors back home in Fatepha. Also known as the Archer, Tanu was the only deity Alani regularly worshiped. When the goddess spoke, Alani knew Tanu was aware of that, and that she also knew of Ani's vision.

"Well, my child, you are finally ready to meet your destiny. You know by now that your path leads to Tortall and the life of a warrior."

"You mean the death of a warrior, like in my vision, don't you?" Ani retorted before she could stop herself. She was scared and confused, and had a splitting headache besides.

The goddess raised a slender brow and said reprovingly, "Nothing but the past is set in stone, Alani Silverglass. Your fate may be a death in battle, but then it may not."

"Silverglass? My last name's Jasen," Alani informed the goddess. Tanu smiled.

"Silverglass is the name of a mage, and you will assume it when you receive your medallion. Now I must leave but first-" she tugged a sapphire ring from her hand- " take this. It will bind you to me and give you good fortune." Tanu disappeared and the ring fell to the floor. Alani picked it up and slid it on. She was instantly acutely aware of her surroundings, and she could hear the door begin to open. She stumbled towards the door and Lark came to steady her. As they left the Room behind, Alani knew that while her fate was unclear, one thing was certain. She had passed the test, and now it was time for her to reclaim her past.

A/N: Sorry if the vision was a bit morbid. It came to me from nowhere and I decided to just go with the flow. Please RR!