"Your ex-fiance?" Syryn spluttered. "Didn't you get engaged just not too long ago?"

Qairu headed to a spiral staircase in the centre of the empty room they'd entered.

​​

"Yes, and I disengaged, the results of which have been disastrous, to say the least. But I am now a single and disowned man, completely cut off from the family that I hate. Life couldn't be better."

Syryn followed closely behind Qairu, and Red led their rear with Navi.

"What about Alka? He doesn't know you're disengaged," a silly term, but one that fit their context.

"Syryn, we dont talk about that in this house."

"So you're going to let him continue to believe that you're engaged. But why?"

Qairu smiled at the mage. "Have you not considered that perhaps I don't feel for Alka as I used to?"

They were on a terrace now. Syryn could see a variety of plants spread across the terrace in their pretty pots. Healthy tendrils of vines climbed the iron railings and covered it in small green leaves. Alka had left his imprint at this place and Qairu had kept it as it was.

"Then you're fine with Alka moving on with someone else?" Syryn asked as he studied Qairu's face.

"I hope he's happy." The priest turned away from Syryn to boil some water on a stove that was set on its stand against the railing.

"So, what did you come here for, Syryn? Aside from the little threat that you shouldn't have had to resort to. I would have welcomed you without being threatened."

Navi and Luci were busy chasing a ladybug that dived under a pile of leaves. Syryn hoped they could make it out of there without leaving behind any broken pots.

"To ask you about the corpses from the caravan murders."

There was a pause as Qairu fiddled with the sealed lid of a jar that contained tea leaves and edible flowers. With a loud pop, the priest unscrewed the lid and looked inside the jar as if searching for something dangerous.

"Another curse?" Syryn asked dryly.

"No, but I do think these flowers aren't edible."

Syryn held out a hand. "Give that to me."

The priest handed the jar over to the alchemist who took no longer than one look at the flowers to decide that they were indeed poisonous.

"Your ex-fiance's family?" The mage asked the amused priest.

"I haven't the fastest of an idea," he replied sarcastically.

"Your would-be murderer has great taste in poisonous plants. Can I take this?" Syryn held up the jar.

"By all means. But now we have nothing to drink, Syryn. Unless you're inclined to drink a cup of hot water." Qairu lined up 3 mugs beside the stove.

"You're awfully indifferent about the murder attempts that are in progress in your own house," Syryn observed. "Is this a normal day for you?"

Saying so, Syryn retrieved some tea powder from his satchel. It was one of his travelling packets.

"What would you have me do? Panic?" Qairu accepted the safe tea powder with a nod of acknowledgement. "Only a calm mind can facilitate my safe passage through the traps that have been set for me."

"Can't you just disappear from the house for a few months? You come back here knowing that they've infiltrated your home, knowing you might die if you miss a single clue."

Qairu shrugged. "All the more reason to come back home, I'd say. Imagine the looks of frustration on their faces when they realise I've managed to dodge yet another hit. Their subtle attempts have been escalating into more obvious traps and it delights me. It shows their desperation, Syryn, and that's how they will fall. One careless clue is all I need."

Syryn was beginning to understand why Qairu was risking his life in such a manner. He needed evidence to prove their crimes and have them sent to prison. "So you'll hand over the evidence to the Sanguine?" He asked while getting excited about it for some reason.

"The Sanguine? Of course not!" Qairu smirked. "That's a very stupid move, Syryn."

The alchemist was back to square one. "How is it stupid?!"

Qairu had a slight grin on his face. "Why would I depend on the mage hunters for justice when I can blackmail them instead?" He said with satisfaction. "I know, I know, you're thinking they'll try to kill me anyway, aren't you?"

Syryn nodded.

"It'll be too late by then," Qairu said. "Killing me will become impossible."

The alchemist wondered just how Qairu would manage that. But this was the death priest he was dealing with, a corrupted version of the holy priest that he should have been. Syryn wondered how much time Qairu had before he veered off completely towards the darker side.

"I believe you," he solemnly answered the priest.

Luci turned his nose up at the tea and sat quietly in his chair, knowing that the grown-ups were having a serious conversation. Navi was on his lap, curled up like a fat purring pillow.

"Pray, tell me, who told you about my unpleasant side hobby?" Qairu enquired with a faint smile.

"It was you. You told me." Syryn's eyes invited Qairu to look in them for lies. "Do you believe me?"

The priest was fascinated by the transparency with which Syryn said those words. They couldn't be true because Qairu had never told Syryn about his necromancy hobby. "You're a damn good liar, Syryn. I'm impressed."

"But I'm not lying," Syryn insisted with a grin. "Qairu, test my words for truth." Syryn leaned forward and looked into bewitching purple eyes. "It was you, Qairu. You told me, no, you showed me what marvellous things you could do with a corpse."

"You're crazy, Syryn," the corrupt priest replied looking outright amused. "I'd believe you if it weren't for the fact that I'm still incapable of doing more than resurrecting a lowly walker. What marvellous things can I do then in the future?"

Syryn hadn't meant for their discussion to deviate in this direction. Before sensibility could tell him otherwise, he decided to throw Qairu a bone. The mage didn't want to disappoint the priest. All he had to say was a single word.

"Lich."