In the midst of this quarreling, a messenger arrives with the news that the Trojans and Etruscans are marching on Laurentum. Turnus responds by calling his forces to arms. Amata, Lavinia, and a throng of women go off to pray to Athena.
Turnus and Camilla together prepare for Laurentum's defense: Turnus leads his forces into a forest, where he intends to ambush the main body of Aeneas's army, while Camilla and her cavalry of men and women engage the enemy's cavalry. Despite great bravery, Camilla is slain, and her forces flee into Laurentum. When Turnus receives the news of Camilla's defeat, he abandons his ambush and hastens with his own army to the city, only to encounter Aeneas's forces, which have already arrived at the gates unopposed. Night falls before a battle can occur, and both armies camp outside Laurentum.
