Necromancy is considered the vilest of magic by fools who do not understand the differences between soul practitioners and corpse summoners. The former would tell you that true necromancy lies in raising a man with his soul captured inside the corpse, while the latter remain content in raising an empty husk. There is no harm done in borrowing a corporeal body that has already lost its soul to the aether; for it is now nothing but a mound of maggots, destined to turn into the earth upon which even the lowest of derelicts would step over one day.

-An excerpt from 'The Door of Decay'; Author unknown.

------

The priest silently stewed in his fury. Only Syryn would have the gall to threaten him so despite possessing the knowledge that Qairu would one day have the strength to quash him. It could either mean that Syryn's assurances were worth nothing and that the violet-eyed mage was planning to put an end to Qairu's plans before their fruition; Or that Syryn believed he was immune to future retaliation for reasons that included the mage's own abilities if not a guardian he could rely upon to protect him.

"Since we're playing a game of blackmail, you mustn't forget that Lucien is also a necromancer, a pressure point that I can use against you," Qairu said with menacing softness in his reminder.

Unexpectedly, it was Lucien that replied before Syryn.

"Do not involve me in your threats if you want to continue living. And do not ever, ever again make the mistake of using my existence to threaten Syryn," Red replied with a viciousness that startled even Syryn. "Unlike my brother, I have no vested interest in your continued existence. I am neither a helpless child nor am I anybody's pressure point, not even Syryn's."

The mage couldn't be completely sure of it but it appeared that Red was upset at being used as a tool to threaten him.

He wasn't able to follow the thread of these thoughts because Qairu replied with equal venom. "Kill me now then. Go ahead and try it. If you think for a second that I would let you walk all over me then you'll find out just wrong you are."

Syryn decided it was time to end the standoff before someone really ended up dead.

"Qairu, I apologise for trying to blackmail you," he said with earnestness. "I should not have resorted to threats for a second time when you would have complied with my requests without the need for pressure."

The priest received whiplash from Syryn's sudden turn in attitude. He canted his head and stared at the violet-eyed mage. "It's too late. You've already exposed the power you have over my future plans. Nothing you say will convince me that you don't intend to ruin what I have in the future."

Syryn nodded amicably. "You're right. To make it up to you, I offer to let you in on my own secret. I will give you information of equivalent value that will ruin me if word gets out about it."

Shrewd purple eyes observed him with razor keen attention. "And why this sudden change of mind?"

"I do not wish to make an enemy out of you. I'm not afraid of you, Qairu, but I think we would be better off as allies."

"An alliance does not begin with blackmail, Syryn," the priest replied in a chilly tone.

Syryn smiled and shrugged. "I had hoped that I could gain your services without sacrificing my own secrets, but I was wrong. Would you not have done the same as I?"

Overwhelm the priest and force him into submission - this had been Syryn's first plan of action. But Qairu was no herbivore that Syryn could easily bully. That realisation cemented his approval of the priest, and it brought him to plan two - establish an alliance based on mutual interest.

"Because of how interested I am in your secret, I'll give you a chance, Syryn. Impress me." The priest looked like he didn't believe there was anything of value that the mage could tell him.

The damage had already been done and Qairu no longer favoured him. It wasn't a result beyond Syryn's expectations so he was prepared for it with the cards that would gain back the priest's favour.

"I could insist on drawing up a contract that would force you and I into secrecy but I need you to see how sincere I am in my hope for this alliance," Syryn turned his palms out to the priest. "This is my offer of trust to you, Qairu."

He then leaned forward so that their faces were merely inches away from each other. In a low whisper, Syryn dramatically informed him. "I am the spawn of a demon."

The priest who had put on a bored face was struck by the unexpected admission. He stared at Syryn and then at Lucien, and back at Syryn.

His expectations hadn't been low. Qairu had anticipated something along the lines of a reputation ruining admission, a dirty secret that belonged to someone else, or even a confession of wrongdoing. But this, this was a life-ruining secret, an admission that could get Syryn hunted down by the Sanguine.

The priest let out a burst of genuine laughter. Syryn had surprised him yet again. A half-demon, how wonderful! He thought. After his mirth winded down, he regarded the mage with a smile.

"It will be a pleasure working with you, Syryn." There was no need to ask him for proof of his claims. No sane person lied about being a half-demon.

"Likewise," the mage replied, mirroring the priest's satisfaction.

"So, what do you need from me?" Qairu said as he leaned back and relaxed into his chair. He was now in a better mood and willing to accommodate Syryn's needs. There were many advantages to befriending a demon and he would never pass off an opportunity to exchange favours with one. As a graduate of Saint's Moon, Qairu should have reported Syryn immediately, but he couldn't have cared less about the vows he had taken. He was a holy priest only in name.

"For now, I want you to tell me everything you know about the caravan murder corpse. Don't leave out a single detail."