It had taken the better part of two months to arrive at the Spiral Castle. While there was little Suka could do as her captor dragged her away, she did manage to make a scene at every town, shop and village they entered. No one had helped her but it would leave enough of a trail for Brunel to follow, as she hoped he would. 

Gathering the last of her courage Suka looked up to the spires that loomed over the sorceress's castle. There was no doubt where she was.

Completely surrounded by dying red oaks and towering fir trees, the Spiral castle sat upon a rocky hill and soared into the skies above. Ten times the height of the trees around it the castle put the forest to shame, casting its great shadow over the valley it stood in. The outer walls were covered in vines that spun themselves around the fortress. The number of towers were uncountable, each one taller than the last. Demonic creatures of all shapes and sizes jutted from the outer walls. Suka was no longer able to sense magic, but thought some of what she saw had to be because of it. 

The Collector pushed her through the rusted gates into a dusty courtyard. Several minutes later they stood before the massive door of the main keep and shoving her inside he closed it behind her, leaving her in darkness.

“Well, well; it has been many years, hasn’t it?”

A light flickered from a single candle illuminating an old woman’s face.

“Umari,” Suka said distastefully. “Still holding on to life no matter how futile it may be?”

The old woman laughed and lifted her hands and sent a volley of fire about the room. Suka struggled not to flee, knowing she could not fight off the fire attack. It left her untouched and lit the hundreds of candles that surrounded them. 

Before her was a horrendous machine, stained with blackened dried blood, rusted in some parts and worn in others. The monstrosity stretched to the ceiling, three stories high. It had gears and blades with no end or start and a single chair that sat before it, charred as though it had been burned. Long chains covered in spikes fell from the metal structure winding across the floor to the wooden seat, gleaming with deadly intent.

Suka had heard of a thing called electricity, the unnatural control of energy, and imagined this machine was made for just that. As she watched the metal structure before her she did not notice the sorceress Umari creeping up behind her.

“It is your first time seeing my pride and joy isn’t it? Ah, but it will be your last,” Umari spat as she rushed forward.

Grabbing Suka’s arms the sorceress clamped them to her sides and forced her in place. Suka stood pained, doing all she could to keep her eyes open and on Umari’s old wrinkled face. 

“It is so much easier if you just give in and I take your powers as a gift. Why you may even live,” the sorceress laughed cruelly, the walls vibrating with the sound.

Suka remained firm. She thought of her children back home awaiting her return and of her husband who she knew would stop at nothing to find her. If only she could live until he arrived then maybe…

“What happened to you?!” Umari screamed with anger. “I cannot sense you or your powers!”

She threw Suka to the floor in a heap. Pain radiated through her as she rose. When Suka did not respond the Sorceress whistled loudly. The Collector rushed into the room. Fear was hidden behind his stone cold face as Umari’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

“You checked her for powers before you brought her here, yes?” 

The man looked shocked.

“What do you mean milady? I followed the magic trail to the source. It was her magic I sensed,” he said.

“Check her now then!” she screamed.

The Collector grabbed Suka by the arm and roughly pulled her towards the chair in front of the machine. Strapping her in he then looked her over carefully, touching her in places only her husband had before. His face scowled as nothing came from his search.

“Move aside!” 

Umari pushed the Collector aside. Prying her legs apart the sorceress stuck her fingers in between Suka’s thighs causing her to cry out in shock.

“She’s had children you fool! How many?!” Umari demanded, but Suka refused to answer.

The man whispered, “There were two.”

Umari hit him hard across the cheek. 

“You saw them!” she shrieked with fury. “Why, then, did you not bring them?!”

“It was not them,” Suka said timidly. 

“What do you mean?” the sorceress hissed. “Unless you use dark magic like mine and have the right tools,” she smiled wildly at the large brass instrument behind her, “then you can only pass your magic to one of your own blood.” 

“I know,” she confirmed.  “Still, I wished that my husband had my powers. I knew one day you would hunt me down and I wanted him to have the strength to protect me as he wished to. Then my powers were gone, his strength and agility having tripled.” 

The sorceress stared at her, peering into her mind to see if she was lying. Suka let her enter and search her memories, fearing her children’s lives would be taken if the witch did not believe her. The old woman grunted, satisfied with what she saw.

“Bring me Brunel Eyestone,” she ordered her guard. 

Suka spoke, anger and hatred lining her face; “You needn’t bother. He is probably half way here already.”

“Then,” the sorceress sneered, “let’s make his trip a little faster shall we?”