It has been two years since the last Summer of Anu, since the last massive army of Uruk incursion into the Tower, since the event that now haunts Toru’s dreams and life.

As Meskia, the vast city inside the Tower, comes to life, Toru thinks about what he is about to do one last time. Strapping on his equipment, and taking his military lance in hand, he walks out into the world, ready to face the Tower of Druaga once more.

One thing is for sure: he will save Samyuk, Druaga be damned.

Toru eyed her up and down, “She’ll be the death of me,” he thinks to himself. Aloud he said, “To the market, we must get provisions. Dried fish and fruits. Trail bread and spices. We’ll hunt to supplement what we buy. I have a great recipe for rat stew, but I’m most looking forward to some roasted spider legs.”

Toru smiles to himself as he turns away, not waiting to see her reaction, and begins making his way to the market. He pulls his grey hood around his head, his momentary joviality washed away by the task that awaits.

Two years. He had hoped to start sooner than now, but Captain Makado saw to it that the court martial took as much time as it could, leaving Toru to sit alone in his holding cell. Sit and brood and plan for the day he was free. To plan for today.

His head down, Toru redoubled his step. “Step to it, waif! There is no time to waste.”

Grumbling under his voice, Toru pulled his cowl further over his head. Thinking quickly, he hissed in Furoji’s direction, “Follow my lead and don’t fall behind.”

Hefting his Military Lance over his shoulder, Toru spun to the right. As he did so his Lance struck a vendor’s display send his pyramid of oranges flying. Turning in mock surprise, his Lance lashes out to the left, this time apples go tumbling into the mix. Bending to gather the escaping fruit, his Lance catches the leg of a passing shopper, tripping him into a display of dried fish.

Taking careful aim, Toru then knocks the chocks from the wheels of two carts before smacking the rear of a pack mule. Grabbing Furoji by the hand he begins sprinting away from the chaos and the trailing guards.

[Damn, I did do that, didn’t I. Weird. I’ll watch out for that. Thanks.]

“I don’t know,” Toru answers. He looks his Lance over to see if there is
anything unusual about it while continuing thinking out loud. “You were the
only one that happened upon me as I was retrieving my Lance. You promised
not to give me away so that I would take you along. You’d have no reason to
spoil your trip up the Tower.” Toru shoots her a side-long glance as he
finishes his sentence.

[Perception (Empathy) test total: 10 = 2 (Perception)
+ 8 (2[d6] + 5[d6] + 1[d6]) to see if she betrays anything at my comment]

“But it might be that my Lance has been marked in some way,” he continues.

[Cunning (Military Lore) test total: 19 = 2 (Cunning) + 2 (Military Lore)
+ 15 (3[d6] + 6[d6] + 6[d6]) to find out what I can about the military’s
standard protocols for tracking lost equipment.
Stunts: 3 The Object of your Attention + 3 That Makes Me Wonder to make
another check for magical tracking
[Magic (? there seems to be no detection/perception forcus for this) test
total: 12 = 2 (Magic) + 1 (Stunt) + 9 (2[d6] + 2[d6] + 5[d6]) (no Stunt can be
generated from this roll)]

EDIT: I wonder if Cunning (Arcane Lore) would have been appropriate in the last test instead of Magic? If so, I know what the next Focus I choose will be.

Toru eyes Furoji and grumbles, “Let’s go, no time to waste.” He leads the way to the elevators that lead to the Shrine of Iron. Once there he cautions the street urchin to stay back as he swings his lance onto his right shoulder. His hands deftly moving as they trace the invisible sigils that transform his military lance into a powerful blasting cannon. Taking careful aim at the controls of the elevator on the right, he sends his will through his lance, triggering a devastating blast.

[Arcane Bolt casting total: 14 = 3[d6] + 5[d6] + 4[d6] + 2(Magic) vs Target 10
Cost: 2MP
Damage: 11 = 5[d6] + 1[d6] + 5(Dragon Die bonus)]

Without waiting for her reaction, Toru grabs Furoji by the wrist and sprints toward the remaining elevator. Once inside he activates the controls and sits down, leaning against the wall and considers the military lance in his lap as the enormous elevator begins its slow climb up to Camel. His mind reaching out to pull at the threads of the mystical tracking spell that has been woven into his lance.

[Magic test total: 16 = 3[d6] + 5[d6] +6 [d6] + 2(Magic)]