"It's not such a bad life, I had a whole plate of lamb bāo zi once."

"..."

A rat crept through the shadows of Yīng Bì-hù-suǒ, avoiding the lights thrown by the burning torches. The patrolling guards only cast incurious glances at the little scuttling shape, unaware that a two-way conversation was occurring within.

"Are ye sure it's this way?"

"Dead sure. Haha, 'dead' sure?"

"Ha..."

For a brief moment, the rat dashed through a patch of light, and a person looking would have seen the appearance of flesh melt away to reveal the very skeleton beneath. Back in the shadows, the rat returned to a semblance of a living creature, if a little transparent.

Seeing through such a low viewpoint as the rat's was giving the necromancer claustrophobia, but she persevered. "Are we there yet?"

"I've only got short legs, you know. Nearly there."

The rat reached the entrance of the cave and paused to examine the interior.

"Go in, I want to take a look around."

The rat entered, poking through the corners. "Nothing here, boss."

"..." The rat was right, sort of. There was no sign of any dead, thankfully.

But with the rat's heightened smell, it struck the necromancer that the scent of the si dzi was still quite strong despite a month having elapsed...

"Oh? So you're the one."

The rat turned.

A man stood in the entrance of the cave, rim-lit by the light of the gibbous moon. A handsome man, dressed in rich black robes that covered him from neck to boot. He twirled a sword in one hand. "A rat. How funny."

Feck. The necromancer used the rat's eyes to look wildly around the cave. Where are ye?

The rat leapt to one side as the sword came slicing down, narrowly missing and leaving a gouge in the cave floor.

"Oh, you're quick. I didn't expect that from a lowly necromancer." Lí rested his cheek on his hand. "I wonder what it is that my lovely little monk sees in you."

Who's yours?

The necromancer forced human words from the rat's throat. They came out strangled and strange – a rat's vocal cords were not designed for such sounds, especially at the volume she was trying to achieve. But she had to make it loud. "Find me... and... find... out?"

"That's a very nice proposal. I think I will. But first..." Lí retrieved his sword, which hovered above his hand. The blade began to emanate a black aura, like writhing smoke. "I think you've been very unfair to your little host. Why don't we let it rest now?"

The blade flashed down. As the necromancer renounced her possession of the rat's body, she felt a strange tug that captured the rat. The spirit dissipated with a sigh.

She opened her eyes in her own body, hiding near the gate of the Sanctuary, to find Lí arriving before her.

They stared at each other momentarily.

"Hm, not what I expected." Lí tilted his head to one side and appraised the necromancer, then pretended to shield his eye. "You're... shinier than I expected."

The necromancer involuntarily glanced at the pale skin on her hands before glaring at the smirking man. "Can't say the same. Ye're as disgusting as expected. A fecking treoraí báis, huh?"

"A... turori... boshi?" Lí idly twirled his sword. "What strange words are you saying? I can't stand here listening to you babbling nonsense all night, I'm afraid." The sword stopped spinning, the point aimed directly at the necromancer's face. "I have someone to pick up, after this."

Before he had even finished speaking, the necromancer's fist was almost in contact with his nose. He leapt back, nails extending into claws as he directed the sword to attack.

The necromancer was not as light on her feet as Sou Yuet, and certainly nowhere near as fast as Lí. The sword flashed by, slicing her side as she managed to dodge a slash aimed at her chest.

"Ah feck." She tested her side, and her fingers came back bloody. "I'm no good at dodging. I'll have to make this quick."

"Necromancer, do you really think someone like you can make this quick?" The sword swung around again and gashed the necromancer's cheek. Lí spoke patiently, as if explaining to a child. "Let me kill you peacefully and I will treat your lover well after you're gone."

"Ye will, huh?" The necromancer dropped her cloak. Despite the cold night air, she had previously torn the sleeves from her robes and her powerful arms were bare, the black tattoos coiled along them now stark against her white skin. She lifted her arms straight out before her, wrists crossed. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I'd rather do that meself. Ye're not worth shite."

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The tattoos exploded off her arms, plunging in a boiling mass towards the fox. He managed to dodge most of them, but the jagged lines that had encircled the necromancer's wrists managed to catch him a glancing blow. With a snarl of pain, he realised his wrists were bleeding, as if some savage dog had managed to bite down on them. He retreated a significant distance, his smooth demeanour gone as he stared at the necromancer in disbelief.

"What are you?" His hands made complicated patterns in the dark, and he sent something shapeless and deep purple rolling towards the witch.

The necromancer caught it like a ball. "Ye think I'm gonna stand here and give ye an explanation?" She rolled it into a spherical shape before eating it.

Her eyes glowed green fire.

Lí instantly transformed into his white fox form and ran. The necromancer watched him go. He was far too fast for her to catch, and she had more important things to do. She retrieved her cloak, arranged her hair neatly, and staunched the blood on her cheek, then summoned a tiny ghost light to hover above her.

She closed her eyes and sat down to wait.

The tattoos on her body writhed restlessly. She steadied her breath, ignoring the sweat pouring down her face, gritting her teeth as a new mark appeared just below her hairline on her forehead, an unpleasant black spiral that pulsed a few times before settling.

She opened her eyes to find a little creature sitting huddled up before her.

"Ah. There ye are."

----------------------------------------

"Just yerself?" Spideóg asked, with obvious relief. Sou Yuet sat opposite, pouring tea.

"Oh, I'm sure he will show up. Not to worry."

"Ah, yes... worry..."

They both gave thanks for the food.

"What was it ye wanted to know about, Disciple Yuān?"

"I was wondering if you had heard anything interesting recently."

"That's a very broad question."

"I think not. You followed us for a reason, did you not?"

Spideóg broke into a cold sweat. Sou Yuet appreciatively munched on a piece of lamb, apparently unaware, and examined the vegetables in their meal with professional curiosity.

"Ye... knew I was following ye?"

"Are you saying it was a coincidence that you turned up here, at the same time as us?"

"I travel to many places for information."

"And of course, the only news of note around here at the moment is the disappearance of the shī zi. And you know that my friend and I are investigating missing legendary creatures." Sou Yuet put down their chopsticks. "Was I wrong? Were you actually looking for information instead? I'm afraid then, that you would have to pay me..."

"I do have information for ye."

"Then, please give me your information, and I will pay for dinner."

"I don't need that. I also want information."

"Yes?"

"Why are ye looking into fox spirits?"

"..." Sou Yuet took a sip of tea. "We can't tell you that."

"T-then I can't give ye the information I have."

"That's fine. We don't even know what that information was in the first place, so why should it bother us?" The monk returned to peacefully eating their meal.

Why do they keep saying 'we'? "I promise it is exceedingly interesting information."

"No doubt."

Ugh, this bull-headed monk! "I'll even throw in information about that necromancer's criminal past!"

Sou Yuet stopped eating.

Got ye.

"That witch might be acting obedient around ye now, but there is evidence that he committed multiple dark crimes. I can tell ye all about it as a bonus."

"A bonus?"

"Huh?"

Sou Yuet was still smiling, but a frighteningly cold pale green light glinted in their usually friendly eyes. "Such heavy information about my friend is a 'bonus'?"

Spideóg's heart stuttered. His body thrummed, all the blood within him suddenly racing frantically through his arteries. Light-headed, shaking, he stared in disbelief at the small, still-smiling figure seated before him. Gods, how was this monk somehow more frightening than that death-speaker?

"I have no need for such information. If I wanted to know, I would ask him myself."

The pressure disappeared suddenly, and Spideóg found he could breathe again. The monk was eating once more as if nothing had happened. The bhard massaged his chest uncomfortably. "Do you think he would tell ye the truth?"

"Only if he wants to. How about some information on the qílín nest? Would that suffice?"

"... fine."

"There was a dead foal at the nest site. Only one. The rest were all taken."

"By who? To where?" As he asked these questions, the gears in Spideóg's mind seemed to be racing. Sou Yuet could almost see the thoughts in his eyes.

"I think you have an idea?"

"The information I wanted to tell ye... There's an auction coming up in the port city of Yùhǎi."

"Yes?"

"It's huge. And very much illegal. All kinds of stolen goods will be traded, and there are many key criminal figures from across the world travelling to be present. Some have been preparing for months."

"Is there, perchance, talk of legendary creatures being up for auction?"

Their eyes met meaningfully. Spideóg sat back with a huge sigh. "Huh, an international illegal legendary creature trading ring. This is... and so, the shī zi from Yīng Bì-hù-suǒ..."

"We have not yet concluded our investigation here."

"And the fox spirit?"

"We have not yet concluded our investigation here."

"Okay, okay. What about-"

"Are ye still asking questions, ye little arse-mole?"

The necromancer suddenly appeared at the tableside, looking a little rumpled. Spideóg flinched first, then lowered his arms in confusion.

"Ye look..."

"What?"

"Have ye always...?"

The necromancer glanced at herself, then opened her cloak a little to expose the shape of her breasts under her robes. "Oh, these?" Her face appeared suddenly in front of the bhard. "They're none of yer business."

Spideóg tumbled backwards. The necromancer sat down beside Sou Yuet.

"Is there even any food left for me?"

"Of course. I made sure to save you some. You shouldn't have been late to dinner."

"I had some important things to do. Had to see a man about a dog." She shook her head at Sou Yuet's confused expression. "I'll explain later."

Spideóg stared at the two of them as Sou Yuet piled food into a bowl for the necromancer and poured tea. "What is going on here...?"

"Are ye still here?" the necromancer growled at him. "Ah Yuet, haven't ye got everything out of this creepy little newt yet?"

"We're done. Here, have one of these bāo zi..."

Feeling increasingly like a third wheel, Spideóg got to his feet. "Thank ye for yer time tonight, Disciple Yuān. I'll pay for me portion of the meal on me way."

"Anytime, Bhard Spideóg. Please come straight to us if you have any more information. No need to pretend it's a coincidence, we're friends, aren't we?"

The necromancer sniggered.

Spideóg slunk away without another word.

"Will you explain to me now why you keep slipping pieces of lamb into your cloak?"

The necromancer looked guilty. "Here, just... " She gestured at Sou Yuet with her chin to have a look as she lifted her cloak slightly.

Nestled within the folds, a round and fluffy puppy stared back at the monk as it licked sauce from the necromancer's fingers with a bright blue tongue.