Urbs Timoris

"I am an elected Tribune of the Plebs. Harm to me is a death sentence. Stand aside."

Metellus ordered of those that had stepped in his path, clutching his toga to himself defensively. His gladiators had formed a defensive circle about him, pushing through the crowds with brute force. Blood, stone and splinters were flying through the air as Saturninus' cronies had begun a general path of destruction through the city. The majority were pushing against the crowds to escape, but the Tribune's men and similar opportunists had begun accosting the wealthier citizens to attack and rob them. All semblance of order had been lost, the extravagant games forgotten. Metellus simply ignored the pontificating of his counterpart, focused solely on his survival. The Augur was now entirely convinced that Saturninus' madness had surpassed even that of the Gracchi; he spoke as if he were Rome itself. At least he had forced him to show his hand early.

"Cato. Take a message to the Senate. You must break off and get out of here. Tell them everything. If I survive unscathed I shall leave the city."

Gaius Porcius Cato was one of the Tribune's trusted confidantes, a descendent of the famous Censor through his eldest son. The fresh-faced youth gave a stern nod and broke off from Metellus' group to find his own way out of the crowd.

"Fortuna, preserve me." Metellus silently muttered in prayer, hoping desperately that his victory over this traitor would not come at the cost of his own life.

Saturninus' men begin to seize a number of lesser senators, stragglers in the forum. However, many citizens and slaves fight back against the perceived actions of a tyrant. The Tribune's goons reveal their weapons and begin to slaughter all those who stand in their path; the forum is fast becoming a full-scale battleground. Most of the more prominent senators are forewarned of the impending violence, and manage to bar their doors to the agents of Saturninus.

Saturninus' missives to the outer villages generate panic and confusion, particularly because much of the land there is owned by the wealthy. Many fear an imminent attack and flee for their lives.

"Vitulus!"

Saturninus yelled from across the fighting, the entire city had become embroiled into madness. Daggers, fires, and fighting where all to be seen in the city. 

I think it is too late now, our only option is to go full in now, lest the conservatives send legions to us!

Vitulus could see how Saturninus' men had Metellus and his goons surrounded. 

"The consuls unless already captured will soon convene the senate where they will want us death, it must be prevented!"

Saturninus' forehead was sweating profoundly, he did not want it to be all like this.

"I will soon appeal to the people myself that make the demands of the people clear to the senate"

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"Metellus"

Saturninus said to his hated foe, finally he had him where he wanted him to be, under his booth.

"Everywhere you appear there is trouble and violence, you are a bringer of ill-tidings!

Saturninus now contemplated his fate, he could kill him now, but would that be a wise move? No, he could if necessary use him as leverage still.

"Tell me, what should i do to you?"

"I am afraid we are already at a point of no return Metellus"

Saturninus said bitterly, perhaps now with a hint of regret in his voice. He hated it how everything was forced upon him and it was now too late to stop it all. The damage and harm done would never recover. Saturninus now held the tip of the sword on Metellus' throat.

"Urghh"

In this very moment courage seemed to leave Saturninus, regret and sorrow now being very clear to Metellus. It had all gone too far. He wished he could now simply retire and live in obscurity. But it was all too late for that.

Vitulus looked between Saturninus and Metellus, rubbing his hands together to calm himself. His haggard eyes, ever searching for potential assailants, tried to focus on the two tribunes before him.

"The Senate has wanted us dead for quite some time, Metellus, do not deny it. Like the Gracchi before us, any challenge to the corruption and blatant skirting of the laws conducted by the old order is met with violent suppression."

The pressure of events out of his control was starting to affect the mental wellbeing of Vitulus. The more they pushed, the more the flow of the mighty river that was the people of Rome slipped through their fingers. It was like mortals trying to command the flow of the Tiber itself, only to drown in its depths.

"We cannot let you go, Metellus. We lit a fire and I'm afraid that we must let it burn the pyre to ash before we're done. But we cannot kill you, you are still a tribune of the plebs, like us."

"Saturninus, we cannot be idle for too long. The enemies of the people will rally soon enough, and unless we're able to capture the magistrates of the Senate, they'll recover and we'll be crushed before long."

Focus was slowly returning to the tribune, as the dust slowly settled around them. Saturninus' words calmed Vitulus, seeing that his friend had not lost his senses.

"We need to rally the people once more before the entire city is lost to anarchy. We must seize the grain warehouses, the horrea, and the public treasury, the Aerarium. Once we have the people on our side, we can march on the Senate or wherever they're hiding and make our demands properly."

Vitulus placed a hand on his dagger, feeling its weight in his belt ground him a little. He had not doubts that he would have to shed Roman blood before this whole ordeal was done.

"For the People, my friend."