As it was, Brunel had remained only two days behind the Collector and his wife. He had found their trail easy to follow. Somehow he was able to sense his wife’s presence in the far off distance and every town he stopped at was full of whispers about a Collector who was dragging a very stubborn witch to her doom. 

So it happened when he entered the large city of Hillfire just south of the Spiral Castle that several people were waiting for him. They were shrouded in dark cloaks, their faces unreadable. Watching him enter town the group of four began to follow him and soon were walking in step with him. Allowing them to lead Brunel was taken down a dark alley into a small square opening between the buildings. There were several unmarked doors that surrounded them. It was here they first spoke.

“Eyestone,” said the tallest of them all.

Brunel nodded.

The man pulled off his cloak, revealing his stern face and large mass. He was a giant of a man, a foot taller than Brunel who was already much larger than normal. Two very dark eyes stared down a long crooked nose and over a large cleft chin. Sneering, the man spoke again.

“We hear tell you are chasing down a Collector who obtained your wife.”

“Aye,” Brunel agreed. “Pray, who told you that?”

Another younger, leaner, gentler man stepped forward removing his cloak as well. 

“She was taken by the Sorceress Umari. It is very well known in these parts that her ruthlessness has gained her the power of at least one thousand mages, witches and warlocks. We each have lost family to her. Blake,” he said pointing to the small figure in the group, “lost both his parents last year.”

The boy shuddered under his cloak at the sound of his name. Brunel imagined his son in a few years time if the same were to happen to him and Suka. His determination thrived. 

“What has that to do with me?” he asked.

The third figure uncloaked to reveal a woman of thin stature. A light flowed about her giving away her hidden magical talents. 

“She sent us word you would be coming and asked us to point you the way.” She paused. “It’s very odd for her to hand us an ally.”

“You are no threat to her then,” Brunel sneered.

“Either way,” she continued ignoring his remark, “we would like to help you and in turn help ourselves.”

Brunel groaned as he looked over the mismatched group. A shaking boy, sure to be targeted by a magical woman, kind man and massive giant; it was not clear how they would be helpful to him. Though he had to admit that the only reason he had entered the town was to find the next direction to travel in, having lost the ability to sense his wife the day before. 

“Alright,” he nodded and continued walking.

The group looked puzzled for a moment, but quickly followed behind. 

Later that night, they camped in the dead tree forest not far from where the Spiral Castle rose into the sky. Adris, the man with the caring face, explained that the castle was protected by strong magic that hid it from detection. They had been looking for a way past the barrier for years. Brunel understood how an invitation to the Castle would prove invaluable. 

No one spoke on what particularly brought them there or how the Sorceress had harmed them. The child, Blake, sat quite far from the fire while the others bombarded Brunel with questions. It was hard to get away from the answers.

“I suppose,” Brunel sighed, having now repeated himself several times, “that I noticed the powers Suka gave to me, but I thought nothing of it. Even if I had been home at the time they came for her they probably would not have noticed she had transferred them to me.”

“I see. At least we know why she is expecting you,” Adris said coolly as he moved the logs about the fire. “So what do you plan to do when you get there?”

“As long as Suka is safe, I do not care otherwise. Can I trust you to help her return home?” Brunel said, eyeing him with doubt.

Adris did not reply and the other two were practically asleep. Brunel did not for a moment actually think they would assist his wife after she was freed. The sorceress would most likely return to take her life later. It was well known the Collectors and those they worked for did not like the knowledge of mistakenly collecting a person to be known. If you were taken you were dead, whether or not you had magic within you.

“I will.”

Blake now stood by the fire; his face looking scared, torn by the flame light. 

“If I can help even one person escape death by her hands then I will be satisfied enough to move on,” he said.

Adris looked at him skeptically and said, “If it’s what you wish I will not stop you.”

He left the fire to sleep with others while Blake joined Brunel in the lights circle. It was his first time seeing his full face. It was marred with black spots under his eyes and across his cheeks that showed even though his skin was dark. He had a hesitant look about him, his small frame quivering in the shadow of the man who sat next to him.  

“Are the markings from Umari?” Brunel asked.

“No,” Blake said, shaking his head furiously. “They are from my tribe. I come from far north of here. My parents were the High Chief and Priestess of my village. When the Collector took them I was sent to chase after, the markings given as a sign of a warrior on a journey from which they would not return.” 

He went silent thereafter and Brunel did not press for more.  Again he imagined his own son and worried one day their lives might not be so different.

“You should return with us to the south,” Brunel spoke, breaking their silence. “The mines are hard work, but you would do well with the trolleys I think. It is not a royal life, in fact it pays very little; but we are happy there. It is a place for new beginnings, if that is what you seek.”

Blake looked back at him surprised, but smiled wide. 

“I will think about it,” was all he said in return.