The spark watched as the kid bowed his head in prayer towards the shrine

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For keeping me warm. I have to go now, but I’ll be back later. I’m hungry. I’ll make sure I have enough wood for my fire, too.”

He had enough control over his new power now to send a warm pulse through his power, which he hoped would signal his understanding.The kid seemed to understand and ran off towards the exit of the tunnel.

He considered following but stayed where he was; the shrine was slowly pulling grace towards him and he could use its pull to collect it much faster than if he followed the kid.

I’ve only got about 2 grace left. I need to collect more.

He flitted around, collecting grace in the yard above the alcove, slipping around and occasionally through the workers as they hauled crates and ran their errands. Most wore crude, homespun clothes, coloured in simple greys, browns and greens, but now and then he’d spot a merchant. They were easy to spot because of the bright colours of their tailored clothes.

With the snow storm over, he could see the tall masts of ships in the distance further downstream, which is where most of the goods seemed to either be going to or coming from.

He saw a sudden movement out of the corner of his vision as something slunk down into the tunnel.

Alerted, he shot back into the alcove.

What is that?

It took him a moment to recognize the creature slowly padding up the tunnel towards the alcove, carefully avoiding the water as it did.

It was a house cat, or at least it was what remained of a house cat, its ears were little more than ragged nubs, half its tail was missing and its body was so criss-crossed with scars that almost as much of its skin was visible as its fur.

Despite this, it walked with the casual absolute confidence of a king surveying his domain.

Once it reached the alcove, it sat watching the spark intently for a moment before seeming to grow bored. The cat then began casually cleaning itself as if it had not a care in the world.

“You can see me?” He thought towards the cat.

The cat seemed to ignore him for a minute, more interested in its own grooming before speaking out loud.

“Why, what a precious little one you are, practically delectable. Yes, I can see you, hear you too.”

He wasn’t sure how to respond to the cat but after a moment is spoke again.

“Cat got your tongue, little one?”

“I- uh didn’t think I could be seen.”

“Oh, I see!” the cat paused in its grooming as if considering what to say. “Well, little one, the mortals they can’t see you, not as weak as you are. Me though I can see you, I’m a spark too.”

"Of course, I am better than you in every way, but a spark has ways of knowing its own.”

“I can’t tell. You just look like a cat to me.”

He wasn’t sure if cats could normally smile, but this cat seemed to.

“Well, that’s not really here, nor there, is it.”

The cat paused for a moment before carrying on.

“While I’m sure making small talk with me must be truly fascinating for you, I have better things to do, so let's get to the point of my visit. You see, last night I was strolling through my domain here, that is to say the warehouse district in which we currently stand, and what did I see. A feast of grace laid out before me.”

The cat pulled up one of its paws and looked at it, almost bored with the conversation.

“Do you know what happened though. Well, by the time I got here, a greedy little spark had gobbled it all up and left none for me.”

This cat was giving him a bad feeling.

“Now, I considered devouring you whole.” The cat glanced up, a look of rage and hunger on its face. The moment passed, and it went back to examining its paw.

“That said, I am a generous, benevolent and forgiving kitty-cat, and let’s be honest here, a spark as fresh as you isn’t even snack for me. Sooooooo, I thought, how about a deal.”

The cat looked back at him.

“Half of all the grace you earn from now onwards goes to me. In exchange, I’ll show you the ropes and make sure you live long enough to help that kid you’ve so clearly got a soft spot for.”

He tried thinking it over but felt like the eyes of the cat were boring into his soul as it sat there unmoving.

I know nothing about this world; I don’t think I can trust the cat, but I need help. That price, half of grace earned, seems steep though.