"People are prone to talk," yawns the comfortable cat, showing white, needle-like teeth. "If they discuss such things in the open, then perhaps the allure will fade, or explanations for the rumors will be found."

Or at least the conversation can be shaped to the answer one wants.

"Of course, fighting the current of Death and pulling oneself from its icy water back into Life is one of the true tests for a necromancer. Anyone can go into Death, anyone with a will, a bell or two and a bit of learning can raise the lesser Dead; it's another thing to raise oneself."