“How do I know I can trust you?” he asked the cat.

“Come now, surely you have smarter questions than that. Trust can only be built with time. Besides, trust is a terribly foolish thing to look for. I may be a particularly honourable and honest cat, but the second this deal no longer benefits me... well, all things end in time.”

“So you’re saying I can’t trust you? Why should I make this deal, then?”

“If you really want to trust something, then trust this, you have taken something I wanted and despite that I am offering you a kindness, refuse me and I will kill you and devour your grace. I take to the word ‘no’ even less kindly than I do to those that get hungry in my territory.”

The cat paused for a moment before speaking again.

“You should trust no one, least of another spark. Perhaps I’m only letting you live long enough to fatten you up before the feast. Then again, perhaps I am a truly generous and giving soul who wishes nothing more than to aid you on a journey.”

"As to why you should make this deal. You are a small speck, lost and confused in a world beyond your understanding. Your only power and influence on the world is to make people marginally warmer and your only ally is a half starved street child who can't even hear you speak.”

The cat shrugged gently.

“Most other sparks would crush you like an insect. I, on the other paw, am offering you everything you want, everything you need.”

“Half my grace going forwards, that’s very expensive. How about a quarter?”

“Ahh, so the little one thinks it can barter.” The cat’s eyes went wide in mock surprise.

“No, half it will be. That is a most generous offer. Remember, all that you are worth to me is your grace. You have nothing else of value other than your power as a 3rd rate bed-warmer.”

Whereas what I give to you is beyond value, centuries of my incredibly deep wisdom and boundless knowledge. Perhaps even a little physical protection if the situation calls for it.”

“fine, I agree to the deal, but I want questions answered.”

“I’m sure you do, little one, though if our deal is struck, then I suppose an exchange of names is in order.”

The cat stood and gave a four-legged approximation of a bow.

“Before you stands the grand and terrible Berith, devourer of sparks, hunter in the dark, the one who has outlived all their enemies.”

That’s quite the list of titles. I wonder if Benrith made them up or other people really use those titles.

“And who has the honour of standing before Benrith?”

“Uh, I don’t think I have a name yet.”

The cat froze, momentarily surprised, before laughing loudly.

“Well, that is a surprise! Then as my first gift of our new deal, I shall do you the honour of naming you.”

Benrith looked at the roof momentarily before speaking.

“I think Hann would be a most suitable name.”

“ok, I’m fine with that. Now, about those questions?”

Benrith sat and yawned. “Yes, yes, fine. I will answer three questions today, but after that I have better things to do.”

Hann thought for a moment before asking, “what’s the best way I can collect grace?”

“Well, that is a good question. The boy, he is a true believer, willing to sacrifice anything in his faith. His prayers alone are worth a hundred prayers from the average mortal. Guard him, keep him alive and he could feed us much grace.”

“Aside from that, any time a creature dies, or a sacrifice is made, grace is created, many sparks seek to engineer situations like that to harvest the grace that ensues.”

“Are there other sparks in the city?”

“Yes, a few, but many more have interests here and keep an eye from afar. Few sparks bother with the warehouse district. There isn’t enough grace here to interest the older sparks and on the rare occasion a younger spark wonders in here, well they have to deal with me.”

“That said, as weak as you are, avoid others of our kind until you are stronger. There are no laws or customs that will stop them from preying on you if it takes their fancy.”

“Most sparks hide away for decades, gathering power before they are strong enough to survive dealing with others of our kind and even then, a lot don’t make it.”

“One question left.”

“How come I can only see a cat, but you can see me?”

“What a disappointing question. Powers, little one, powers, I possess the passive power to see sparks, you however, do not. The most dangerous thing for a spark to encounter is a spark. Whatever powers you choose, another spark is always a potential predator. Unless you can fight, run, and see them coming, you will always be at their mercy.”

Benrith stood and stretched before walking off.

Just before the cat reached the end of the tunnel, it turned to look back. “I nearly forgot. Now you know my name, you can tell your scrivener to transfer grace to me at any time. I expect my share daily. Also, if you or the kid are in trouble, send me 3 small payments in a row. I will be back every few days to answer questions.”

With that, Benrith left the tunnel.