PART ONE

The Palace of Gergovia

"The Gods say what they want, Brennus. I have no control over what message they want to bring to you."

"I just don't understand why they've changed their mind now. I thought they liked cycles. Being born, living, dying, born, living dying, that sort of thing. With the Verix it's the same, elect, reign, die, elect, reign, die. Why stop now?"

"Things have changed, Brennus. Not just here, but up there too. They want you to lead us to glory."

"Have I not done their will for the past 7 years?! I am tired of being the leader."

"The Gods aren't done with you yet, Brennus. You must listen to them. Take all who will follow you, and find Faegus. Countless men have left, and none have returned. The Gods demand it. The era of the Verixia is over."

The Autumn wind caressed the ruins of the Great Palace of Gergovia. A month had passed since the Great Battle in which Brennus killed Baran. A dark cloud hung over the ruins of the city, threatening to unleash a torrent upon Brennus' head. Clearly the gods were upset. Brennus paced the throne room, kicking loose stones about. Once this hall was the pride of Gaul, the richest and most powerful realm in the entire world. Now, it was rubble, ashes, and dust. Tarnished gold still plaited the throne, cast aside from it's pedestal. Next to it lied the Braided Crown, ancient and pure. Brennus reached down, picking it up, before turning to the druid. "This crown used to be upon the head of the greatest Rixes to ever walk the earth. Versidorix, Ogmios, Antrougerorix... We truly do live in the end times."

"There is no such thing as the end times, Brennus. It's all cyclical. Much like the sun moves through the sky each day, and the moon meanders around the year, and men are born and re-born, so too do Verixias. The Gods have seen fit to give you the reigns on the cosmic chariot. Where will you take us?"

"I don't know how to answer that. What should I do? Where should I go? When? How? It's all too much."

"Where do you want to go, Brennus?"

"East. I want to find Faegus. I want to get away from this land, these ashes, this war."

"Go, then. Men will follow."

"Will they follow me to their deaths?"

"I've seen your soldiers, Brennus. They would leap off a cliff if it was in your name."

"So...East."

"East."