Tullius wakes up to find
himself in the midst of the sun’s rays. His head is pounding and his armor and
clothes are torn and trashed. As he looks around, he realizes he is on top of Palatine
Hill with his fellow comrades. There is fire raging and buildings have been
destroyed. He looks to find the nearest weapon to defend himself against any
lingering enemies. As he searches for a suitable sword, he finds his beloved
friend Caecilius lying on the ground, unconscious but breathing. He has wounds all over his body and he knows that
he needs help soon. He realizes there are no nearby enemies so he puts Caecilius
on his shoulders and makes his decent down from palatine hill into the Velia. Tullius
needs to make it to the forum to find anyone that can help Caecilius. He cannot
believe the destruction that has taken place at the hands of the Gaul’s. Statues, houses, and buildings laid destroyed
from the effects of the battle.
As Tullius enters the forum
between Basilica Lulia and Castor Aedes, he is shocked at the sight all around
him. He has never seen such destruction before. In front of him is the forum,
he seems people wondering around, dazed and confused. He hears the cries of
fellow Romans as they suffer in agony at the aftermath of the battle. Tullius
makes his way to the middle of the forum, surrounded by the towering Basilica
Lulia, Basilica Sempronia, and Temple of Concordia, looking for anyone that can
help Caecilius.
