Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube (23 page)

After explaining to the Legate’s guards that this was a highly confidential matter, the three men were announced and stood before Calvus.

Calvus knew the Centurion.  He had a first class reputation and was targeted for an early promotion, but he didn’t recognize the two Legionaries with him.  “What brings you here Centurion,” he asked.

“Sir,” said the Centurion, “These two men just brought a personal matter to my attention that required a decision from you.  With your permission, I would like for them to tell you the same story they told me.”

“All right, go ahead and talk,” said Calvus, looking at the two.

Ansi and Atta nervously told the Legate their story from the time Timur sent them south, their capture by the Suevi, their travel to Rome, how they joined the Legion, their battle honors, and love of Rome and the Legion.  They concluded by emphasizing their loyalty and desire to serve the Legion, but in a role other than fighting their fellow tribesmen.

When they finished, Calvus looked at the Centurion and said, “And why aren’t these men in chains in the guardhouse?  If they are not spies, they are potential spies and not to be trusted.”

“Sir,” said the Centurion, “Your point is well taken.  Under normal circumstances they should be.  I’ve known these men for three years.  I would trust them with my life, even now.  They are loyal Romans.  My concern is that if we lock them up, rumors will start and it may even get out that they are Teuton spies.  If that happens, they will be killed and the Legion will lose two good fighting men for no good reason.  Perhaps, until this campaign is over, they could be placed in administrative jobs and remain at Bad Tolz when we deploy.  Sir, with all due respect, the fewer the number of people that know about this, the better.  As of this minute, only you and I know.”  The Centurion knew he was sticking his neck out for these two and hoped his trust was not misplaced.

“You make a good point Centurion,” said Calvus.  “Keep an eye on them until I can figure this out.  Dismissed.”  The three saluted and walked out.

Ansi and Atta expressed their gratitude to the Centurion and said they would confine themselves to their hut until they heard from him.

Calvus walked over to the Proconsul’s hut and requested to speak to Manius.  He was shown in and given a seat.  He explained the situation to Manius and added, “I know and trust the Centurion, if he believes in these two men, I am willing to back him.”

Manius said, “I agree with you Calvus.  I’ll have them assigned to the Expedition Training Center.  Since they are experienced Legionaries that move should not arouse suspicion.  We can also keep an eye on them there.  Once we deploy, I will keep them under surveillance at my headquarters.  We may be able to use them as translators.”

Chapter VII:  Final Preparations

From December to March 206, the Legionaries trained everyday to maintain their physical conditioning and sharpen their military skills.  Activities of this nature were expected and perfectly normal for the Romans and Roman Auxiliaries.  Forced 20 mile (32km) marches three times a month, throwing the pilum, practicing formations, and responding to horn signals, were skills the Romans practiced over and over.  For the Raeti and Suevi Legions, all this activity was upsetting and something they had never before experienced.

They initially resisted the hard training, complained about the constant fatigue and aching muscles, and resented the stream of orders from the Centurions.  As their muscles and bones adapted and grew accustomed to the added stress and demands of running, carrying heavy loads, and working six hours a day, their attitudes also changed.  Once a soldier is in peak physical condition, he can do anything asked of him or will die trying.  Young men already think they are indestructible and when they also feel strong and fit, they are ready to train hard and fight bravely.

While the Legionaries and their allies maintained their increasingly demanding training schedule throughout the cold and snowy winter, the Expedition Staff and the Staff Officers of the eight Legions met daily to plan for the coming battles.

Proconsul Manius Tullus initiated the planning process.  At 8:00 A.M. on 1 January, 206, he assembled his Legates, Expedition Staff, and the Staff officers of the eight Legions, which included Bethica and her Army Commander Nasua.  He stood in front of a large map of the terrain over which they would traverse and the settlements containing Teuton troops.

“Commanders and Staff,” he said, “We have a lot of planning to do before June.  I have full confidence in all of you to give it your best; I want our Legionaries and allied troops to have every advantage to overcome a difficult campaign and ultimately achieve success.”

Manius continued, “We face an enemy who has successfully crossed the Danube at night and attacked three Suevi garrisons.  From all indications, these Teuton warriors are trained and hardened men.  I would not underestimate them.  They are armed with composite bows and short throwing spears.  They have successfully migrated a great distance and overcome many obstacles.  That said, they are not 10 feet (3m) tall and they will bleed when cut.  We will defeat them through superior planning, training, and motivated troops.”

“I want you to plan to attack the Teuton garrisons at Landshut and Augsburg simultaneously.  Both of these settlements are about 50 miles (80.4km) from Munich, which is where I will set up my headquarters after your battles.  I am counting on a complete surprise.  It is important that no Teutons escape the battle area to warn the main body of Teutons troops at Regensburg of our presence, our capabilities, or our armament.”

“Rasce, I will trust you and the cavalry to prevent any survivors from Augsburg or Landshut from going north.  Once you have taken the two garrisons, I will move my headquarters from Munich to Ingolstadt where we will assemble and advance on Regensburg, 40 miles (64km) to the northeast, with all eight Legions.”

“Once we go on the offensive in June, our grain and corn supply will begin to openly cross the Brenner Pass and go directly to Munich and then Ingolstadt.  I believe we can trust the Veneti and Cenomani to fulfill their pledge to provide all the food we will need for the campaign.”

“I want you to plan to evacuate the sick and wounded as soon as possible from their forward locations to Ingolstadt, then to Munich, and eventually back here to Bad Tolz.  It is important for the troops to know they will not be neglected.”

“Legate Calvus will command Legiones XVII, the Roman Auxiliary V Etrusci, and Legiones I and II Suevi.  His second in command is Legate Caile.  Your target is Augsburg.  Tribune Vitulus is promoted to the temporary rank of Acting Legate of Legio XVII.”

“Legate Silvius will command Legiones XX, I Raetorum and III, and IV Suevi.  Bethica is your second in command.  Your target is Landshut.”

“Maintain contact with my Headquarters.”

“I want each Legion to provide one Maniple from your Triarii to my Headquarters.  They will be under the Command of Tribune Servilius.  They will stay with my Headquarters for the duration of this mission.”

“That is all I have this morning; stay healthy; stay fit. In my opinion, a staff officer who is exercising to maintain his physical fitness is a staff officer at work.  There is an old maxim in Rome that you may have heard.  It goes something like this: when things go wrong, admit nothing, deny everything, and make counter accusations.  I want you all to understand that philosophy ended when we crossed the Tiber. 
The new maxim is that honest mistakes will be forgiven immediately; deceit and blame shifting will haunt you forever.
We have the winter ahead of us to develop a plan for success. Let’s get to work.”

As the meeting broke up, Manius noticed that Legate Silvius looked pale and sickly and had trouble staying awake.  Manius approached him and gently said, “Silvius, let’s talk for a moment in my hut.”  Manius then saw Silvius painfully bend down to retrieve his cane.  As they walked to Manius’ hut, Silvius shuffled his feet like a man twice his age.  Once they were seated inside, Manius said, “Silvius, my friend, you don’t look well; what has happened.”

Silvius replied, “About two months ago, shortly before we arrived here, I developed a severe pain in my lower back and hips.  I also spotted blood in my stool and I have constant diarrhea.  I am passing mostly water.  I’ve talked to the medical people and they can’t stop the diarrhea.  They force liquids down my throat all day long, but I seem to pass it immediately.  Each day I feel weaker; I’m afraid I may be dying.”

Manius’ face showed the grief and compassion he felt.  He stretched out his hand and grasped Silvius’ hand.  “Silvius, we need you.  You must get better.  You’re the best soldier I have.  Let’s get you to bed, maybe some rest will help.”

Silvius just shook his head.  “I think this is the end.  I will write a note to my wife, please see that she gets it.”  He then stood.  Manius called his aides to help Silvius back to his quarters.

Manius sat for a long time thinking and staring off into some faraway place.  He thought about life and about death.  He thought about Silvius’ family and his own.  A knock on his door, brought him abruptly back to the present.  “Come in,” he said.  It was Tribune Justus, Silvius’ second-in-command.

“Sir, may I speak with you?” he said.

“Have a seat,” responded Manius.

“I see that you spoke with Legate Silvius.  Sir, I think the man is dying and as his Tribunus Laticlavius, I would be assigned to replace him.  Sir, this is my first assignment in the Army.  I have no battle experience and no experience leading troops.  My father had me assigned to Legio XX after the Legion returned to Rome in July.  I have learned a lot during the past six months, but I am not qualified to Lead Legio XX.”

“What do you suggest we do Tribune,” said Manius.

“Sir, for my own self serving political reason, I would like to be appointed Legate of Legio XX, but in reality, the more experienced Tribunes, particularly Tribune Valerian, would actually exercise command.  I will give the orders, but he will advise me.  Sir, I also think that Bethica should be given overall command of the four Legions.  She has the most experience maneuvering large bodies of troops.”

Manius asked, “Have you discussed this matter with Valerian?”

“Yes Sir,” relied Justus, “but not Bethica.  Valerian is in agreement.”

“Good,” said Manius.  “Ask Valerian to come see me.  Justus, I admire your honesty and initiative.  Someday you will be a fine Legate and are a credit to the Republic.”

Ten minutes later Valerian was seated opposite Manius.  “Tribune, I understand that Justus has made a proposal concerning command of Legio XX to both of us.”

“Yes Sir,” replied Valerian.  “He asked that I exercise command of Legio XX, but allow him to issue the orders and appear to be in command.”

“And how do you feel about that,” asked Manius.

“Sir, Justus and I get along quite well.  We have talked through this matter and I do not see any problems.  I would like for the Official Reports to note my contribution.”

“I can certainly do that Tribune.  I will personally ensure you are given proper credit.  How would you feel about Bethica acting as overall commander of your Attack Group,” asked Manius.

“Sir, I’ve only spoken to her once or twice, but I am impressed with her command presence, good sense, and calm demeanor.  I personally would be willing to take orders from her.”

Manius said, “Thank you Valerian for your honest assessment.  I understand from several sources that you are doing an exceptional job and I expect even more good work in the future.  I will get back to you on this.”

Manius Tullus then called for his horse.  He needed to talk to Bethica.  After searching for 20 minutes, he found her in the field with a Suevi Legion practicing Roman combat maneuvers.  He watched approvingly and was surprised at how quickly the new Suevi recruits were adapting to military life.  After about 10 minutes, one of Bethica’s aides spotted the Proconsul and she and her interpreter rode over to him.

“Bethica,” he said, “I haven’t had a chance to speak with you lately.  How is the training going?”

She responded, “They are hard working farm boys, tough, indestructible, and learning more every day.”

Manius continued, “And how is your father?”

“He is well,” she said.

“And how did you like Rome,” he asked. “Did it meet your expectations?”

“Rome is one of a kind,” she said. “And now, tell me why you came all the way out here to see me.”

“Silvius is seriously ill and may be dying,” he said.  “In any event, he is too weak to go on this campaign.  I will appoint Tribune Justus to succeed him as Legate for Legio XX, but he is too inexperienced to command four Legions.  Since you already command two of the four Legions in this Attack Group, I would like to appoint you as overall commander for the attack on Landshut.  What do you think?”

Bethica’s heart began pounding hard in her chest.  Without blinking or removing her eyes from Manius, she replied, “I thought it was Roman policy that only Romans Officers could command Roman soldiers.”

Somewhat taken aback by this unexpected challenge, Manius replied, “I am, indeed, bending the policy.  My response is that Roman Officers will still command Roman soldiers, but the overall direction will, in fact, be issued by a non Roman.  You are the best choice to replace Silvius and it is in best interest of our mission and welfare of our men, that you exercise overall command.”

Bethica blinked, shifted her eyes away for a moment, then refocused on Manius and said, “I accept your offer.”  The two looked at each other for a moment in silence until Manius said, “Good, it is done.  Congratulations.”  He wheeled his horse about and rode back to his Headquarters.

The Proconsul called in his aides.  “Please ask Bethica, her Army Commander Nasua, Legate Lugano of I Raetorum, Tribunes Justus and Valerian, and my Second in Command to meet with me tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. here.

At 8:00 A. M., everyone was seated in Manius’ hut.  Manius remained sitting as he said, “I think it is obvious to all of us that Legate Silvius may not survive his ailment.  He’s already given me a final note to give to his wife.  His absence requires that we adjust the command structure.  Tribune Justus is hereby promoted to the temporary rank of Legate and will assume command of Legio XX.  Tribune Valerian is promoted to his second-in-command.  Bethica is hereby invested with overall command of Legiones XX, I Raetorum, and her two Suevi Legions.  Are there any question?”  There were none and the meeting adjourned.

Manius called to an aide, “Get Tribune Servilius for me.”

Within a few minutes, Servilius knocked on the door and said, “Sir you wish to see me.”

“Please have a seat,” said Manius.  “I apologize for not warning you I was going to publically announce your new role as Commander of eight Maniples to guard my Headquarters.  I assume you want the job?”

“Yes Sir,” said Servilius.  “I appreciate the opportunity.  I don’t think I’m really cut out to be a staff officer.”

Manius said, “I think you will excel in any job you have.  I have the utmost confidence in your abilities.  Here’s what I have in mind.  In a sense, your duty with these eight Maniples will be similar to what you did with the Triarii at Patavium.  I want you to train them to fight as a mini Legion with a Hastati, Principe, and Triarii.  When this Headquarters deploys to Munich, Ingolstadt, and beyond to Regensburg, the mission of your Maniples is to escort and defend this Headquarters.”