Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube (9 page)

With the victory over the Suevi garrisons, Timur felt supremely confident in his troops and leaders.  In his mind, everyone is where they should be and are competently led.  The soldiers at Regensburg are building a large sturdy wall around the Regensburg settlement to withstand an assault or siege.  With his Army properly employed, his primary concern shifts from his Army to the civilians and he decides to spend more time at the settlement at Two Lakes.

To protect them, he posts 10,000 warriors around the circumference of the settlement at 300 yard (274m) intervals with each post consisting of 20 men.  He also negotiates a favorable treaty with the Marcomanni Tribe.  For the first time in 10 years, he is at peace.

Timur enjoys staying at Two Lakes.  Wherever he goes he is acclaimed as a great leader who is obviously highly favored by Thor.  One day, a Clan Leaders asks Timur to visit his Clan so the people can thank him for bringing them successfully from Jutland to the Danube.  The event is conducted by torchlight with hundreds in attendance.  The people heap praise upon Timur and Jennike and said he is highly favored by the gods.

Jennike kept the accolades in proper perspective, but it affects Timur.  Soon other Clans host celebratory events in Timur’s honor and he begins to believe their praise.  Throughout the winter, Clans compete with one another to stage more lavish and entertaining events in Timur’s honor.  The people likened him to a god and Timur does not disagree with them.  In time, he fashions a more elegant crown for himself and begins to adopt airs befitting a god/king.  Jennike and Timur’s close associates became more and more concerned about Timur’s growing ego.

But all is not as Timur thinks; not with his Army and not with his neighbors.  The Army at Landshut, Munich, and Augsburg had grown bored with their mission and ceased training.  Facing a mutiny, their Commanders acquiesced to the troops demands.  Compounding the problem was that neither Timur nor Donar were visiting the garrisons to check on their activities.

Timur had heard of the Quadi tribe, but only as one of the many warlike Tribes subordinate to the Marcomanni.  He never gave them a second thought or considered them a threat, but they were a threat as he would learn.  They were growing bolder.

*******

July 208

The Quadi Tribe consisted of about 75,000 people and 20,000 warriors.  They are closely affiliated with the Marcomanni Tribe, but are much smaller and poorer.  Their home base is Vindobona [Vienna] located 245 miles (396km) to the east of Regensburg.  Most of the Tribes under the Marcomanni umbrella generally conformed to Marcomanni policy, but not always.  The previous summer, the fierce Taurisci Tribe living in Slovenia had conducted a series of devastating raids against the Quadi while the men were fighting with the Marcomanni against the Boii Tribe.  In their absence, the Taurisci had kidnapped many of the Quadi women and stolen most of the Tribes livestock.  Hard times had fallen on the Quadi and the Marcomanni were in no position to offer assistance.

The existence of the Cimbri/Teuton settlement at Two Lakes was by now common knowledge throughout the land and looked like a promising target for a quick raid.  The Marcomanni Chief had put the Cimbri/Teuton settlement off limits and raids were forbidden, but Tudrus, the Quadi Chief had other ideas.  He was a particularly head strong, but competent leader who resisted authority that didn’t conform to his own desires.

In the summer of 208, Tudrus sent five men to scout out the Two Lakes settlement and to find weak points in their defensive perimeter.  Because of the favorable agreement with the Marcomanni, the settlement at Two Lakes was not fortified, but was marginally protected.  The scouts, however, had no problem finding a grouping of 200 wagons separated from the main body with easy access and egress from nearby woods.

Upon their return to Vindobona, they told Tudrus, “A force of 500 men could attack the 200 wagons at night, take the women, livestock, and valuables, and be gone before the Teuton reaction force could challenge us or even know that the raid had occurred.”  They added, “It would be a good idea to have 1,000 men hidden nearby just in case things went wrong.  With good horses, we should return in 10 days.”

Tudrus asked them, “How many Teuton defenders did you spot?

One of the scouts said, “It was hard to get an accurate count because they are so spread out, but I would guess between 8,000 and 10,000.  They are thinly deployed all around the Lakes in groups of 20 men separated by about 300 yards.  They have a few towers for long range observation, but they are only manned during the day.”

Tudrus said, “Did you see any cavalry?”

The scouts answered, “No, just working animals.”

“So, even if the Teutons know that a raid is underway, they cannot respond quickly,” said Tudrus.  “They will have to walk all the way around the Lakes.  I think we are shooting too low.  Let’s use a bigger force and get more valuables.  I will negotiate with the Tribes to the east to get horses.  That will take some time.  Whatever it cost us, we will more than make up for in this raid.”

“We will need to plan this carefully,” said Tudrus.  “I want a force of 500 mounted men to create a diversion at night on the west side of the settlement to draw the defenders.  Burn some wagons, kidnap some women, and kill some of the people.  Once I judge that the Teutons are mostly on the west side of the lake, I will attack on the east with 5,000 warriors.  We can easily take out the nearest two groups of Teuton guards and open a hole in their perimeter 600 yards wide.  Specific detachments will target the livestock, others the women and valuables.  Our men should be able to get in, take what we want, and be out in 20 minutes.  I’ll post another 5,000 men near the road heading east to thwart any pursuit the Teutons may attempt.”

“Next summer, we should have all the horses we will need and I will personally lead my Commanders on a reconnaissance.  I want to conduct the raid in September 207.  That will give the Teutons plenty of time to drop their guard and feel secure.  After the raid, I’ll go and talk to the Marcomanni Chief to smooth things over.  A few gifts should do it.”

Chapter III:  Bethica Appeals to Rome

209 BC

The six men that returned to Innsbruck in the fall of 209 BC were lucky to be alive.  Of the 6,000 Suevi stationed along the Danube to prevent or provide early warning of invasion, they were the only ones spared by the victorious Teuton and Cimbri tribes who attacked their garrisons.

The Leaders and people of Innsbruck were stunned.  They had just lost 13,000 men to Praetor Manius Tullus’s Legio XVII in July at the Battle of Innsbruck, (as the Romans called it), and were faced now with the death of another 6,000 warriors.  Innsbruck mourned for days.  It was as if life simply stopped.

Bethica, the newly appointed Suevi Chief, was similarly grieved, if not more so.  On her shoulders rested the responsibility to navigate through the many conflicting choices facing the Tribes’ future survival.  The Suevi Army now numbered only 7,000 warriors.  She wished her father, Ariovistus, were there to help carry this burden, but it was hers alone.  Ariovistus had been grievously wounded in personal combat with Manius Tullus during the battle in July and was taken to Rome.  Manius said he would return him in July 208, but that was still 10 months away.  She had to lead; there was no one else.  At least, she had her trusted advisor and friend Davenhardt to fall back upon.

Davenhardt reminded Bethica about the two Teutons, Ansi and Atta, captured for stealing food near Innsbruck some seven years prior.  They both realized that they had been gullible and totally deceived by their story.  The two spies told the Suevi they were traveling south to escape their tribe, the Cimbri, and were hoping to improve their lives in a warmer climate.   They said they meant no harm to the farmer from whom they had stolen food, but were starving.  The Suevi believed their story and allowed them to walk south and over the Brenner Pass.  Now, the Suevi knew that they were really spies sent out by the Cimbri and Teutons.

*******

Not wanting to get captured again by the Suevi, Ansi and Atta kept walking south.  Soon they entered Raeti territory and were told in no uncertain terms to keep moving.  Farther south, the Cenomani proved even more hostile.  The two kept walking south and periodically worked with local farmers for room and board.  Their trip was turning into an adventure and thoughts of attempting to return home were beginning to fade.

Along the way, they heard about Hannibal and the Romans.  From the Veneti, they learned about Cannae and the disastrous Roman defeat.  They grew more cautious as they continued south for the land was swarming with bandits and mercenaries traveling to join Hannibal.

Eventually, they arrived at Rome itself and had no problems getting past the guards at the gates.  They communicated that they were at Rome to help in the war against Hannibal.  When they got inside the city, they were amazed.  They had never before seen such a city with its building, monuments, baths, and abundant supply of water.  Being young and strong, they quickly found work as day laborers and spent their earnings on prostitutes and gambling.  They enjoyed Rome.  To them, it was Valhalla and they were living in Asgard despite being 1,300 miles (2092km) and many cultures away from their homeland.

*******

211 BC Four Years Later

For the last four years, Ansi and Atta were living the good life until one day they were approached by two members of the Roman military garrison who were searching for Army deserters and possible recruits.  They were questioned extensively as to why they were not in the Army.  Not having a good answer, they were both taken to Campus Martius and inducted into the Roman Army.  By now, they both spoke Latin and appeared to be Roman citizens.  Their protestations to the contrary were simply dismissed and they began Legionary Basic Training.  Initially, they were reluctant trainees, but after a few beatings from the Centurions, they developed a more positive attitude and threw themselves into it.  In time, they actually began to enjoy the life of a soldier.  They were paid well and fed.  They also enjoyed the challenge that the training presented.  Because they were a few inches taller and stronger than most of the other recruits, they felt inherently superior.

During their basic Legionary training, they met a fellow trainee named Joseph who was assigned to the same Maniple, but they never became friends, simply acquaintances.  They knew he was the son of a Quaestor of Rome and a personal friend of the Commandant, Manius Tullus.  Months later, ever inquisitive Joseph asked them about their accent, but they dodged the question.  Six years later, he would learn their true identity along with their fascinating history.

After their graduation from Basic Training, Ansi and Atta were both assigned to Praetor Manius Tullus’ Legio XVII for a special mission to the Cisalpine Gaul and Austria.  They soon realized that Austria meant Innsbruck, which they had left just five years earlier.  They marveled at the strangeness of it all.  They were both assigned to the Hastati and remained with the main body of Legionaries unlike the Legion’s Triarii which was divided into two parts and sent to Patavium and Clastidium by boat.

The two marched to Brixia with the Legion, then to Trento, where they helped with the wedding ceremony between King Timo Bosettius of Rhaetia and his Roman bride Rosa.  Once Ansi and Atta crossed the Brenner into Austria, they were back where they were captured and released!  Occasionally, they talked about deserting to rejoin their Tribe, but quickly dismissed the idea as too dangerous and, quite frankly, they enjoyed being Romans.

They participated in defeating Vocion’s 6,000 Suevi warriors at Ranggen in July 209 and Ariovistus’ 13,000 man Army the next day at the Battle of Innsbruck.  They were commended for bravery in those battles and known throughout the Hastati for their fearlessness.  Manius had personally spoken to them and acknowledged their contribution to the victories.

Both Ansi and Atta developed a profound respect for their fellow Legionaries and no longer felt superior to them.  Legionaries could fight as hard and as bravely as any Cimbri/Teuton warrior and their leaders were far superior in terms of their strategy and tactics.  Similarly, Roman engineering skills were second to none.  In their hearts, they both knew that their former Tribes would be badly beaten if they ever went up against a Roman Legion.

They departed the Innsbruck Valley with the Legion shortly after the battle and wintered at Brixia.  Unbeknownst to them, the same month they departed Innsbruck, their fellow Tribesmen crossed the Danube and destroyed the three Suevi garrisons at Ulm, Passau, and Regensburg.

Later the next year, Legio XVII marched to assist other Legions fighting Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal at the Battle of the Metaurus River in 207 and by September, the Legion was back at Rome.  They had been gone for 30 months and the two were eager to revisit their old haunts and girlfriends as soon as possible.

*******

Summer 209 BC

As the desperate refugees streamed over the mountains into Innsbruck, Bethica faced her first challenge.  What to do with them.  They were considered kinsmen, but the great mountains that separated them from the main body of Suevi living along the Inn River Valley created a breach in their relationship.  At best, the Suevi farmers arriving from the north were viewed as distant cousins.  Nevertheless, they shared a common culture, language, and heritage and could not be abandoned.

The farmers all told the same story.  The Teutons had evicted them from their farms and told them to go south.  They were told that the land now belong to the Cimbri and Teuton tribes.  The refugees numbered approximately 100,000 people and they had little food and no shelter.  Since they were part of the same Suevi Tribe as those living in Innsbruck, they received a warm welcome as kinsmen, but could not all be accommodated in Innsbruck.

Bethica spoke to Davenhardt first and then decided to call a Council to seek more opinions.  During the Council meeting, some suggested that the refugees settle on the other side of the River and spread out to the east and west.  Others wanted to keep them on the Innsbruck side of the Inn River and similarly have them go east and west to keep them closer to Innsbruck in case the settlement was attacked.

Finally a compromise was reached where the refugees would be given their choice of where to settle, on the north or south side of the river.  Either choice was acceptable to the Council; the refugees just had to vacate the immediate area of Innsbruck as soon as possible.  Work began immediately on two bridges spanning the Inn River to accommodate the increased traffic and heavy wagons.  Until that was completed, the refugees would have to travel on the Innsbruck side of the Inn River and go east or west.

As Bethica toured the refugee camps, she saw that many of the young men were of military age.  She decided to allow them two months, August and September, to help their families prepare for the coming winter before drafting them into the Suevi Army.  Her rough count estimated there were at least 20,000 future warriors 18 years or older.  Her new Army commander, Nasua, had been a minor chief under Ariovistus, who remained in Innsbruck in command of the garrison to act as a final defense should Ariovistus’ be defeated.

Bethica tasked Nasua to begin identifying eligible men and then to initiate the draft in September 209.  She knew this size force was still too small to chase the Teutons back across the Danube, but she had another idea for that.

As soon as she heard of the Teutons crossing of the Danube, she dispatched couriers across the Alps to the Rhaetians at Trento and Cenomani at Brixia to arrange for her to meet with them in early October.  She wanted to discuss the implications of the Teuton/Cimbri invasion.

But now, she wanted to talk to the Chief of the Cimbri/Teuton Tribe, a man named Timur, whom she had met last October by Karlsruhe.  She knew he had lied to her.  She had sensed it.

She was all action, fearless, and constantly thinking ahead.  In early August, she left Innsbruck with Davenhardt and five body guards to ride the 185 miles (297.7) to Regensburg.  She knew the dangers of riding through an occupied territory with a small force, but felt compelled to talk face to face with Timur.  It was rash and foolish, but she wanted to learn firsthand what Timur intended to do.  The Council was reluctant to let her go, but realized they couldn’t stop her.  After she left, they made preparation to select the next Chief, thinking she would never return.

Bethica’s party rode fast the entire time and only stopped to sleep.  They made the trip in 11 days.  The horses were worn out, but speed was essential to avoid capture by Teuton cavalry who swarmed the area.  Munich was especially dangerous, but they evaded capture by a risky nighttime ride.

Bethica was not sure that she would actually arrive safely at Regensburg much less get to talk to Timur, but she felt she had to try.  When he smiled at her in October as he was riding away, she detected something she liked in his personality.  She felt she could talk to him and that he would respond kindly.  She needed to know if Timur intended to attack Innsbruck.  That was her major concern.  Should she evacuate the settlement and move somewhere else?  If yes, where would they migrate?

At the outskirts of Regensburg, they were accosted by 20 mounted Teuton cavalry, who drew their swords and were prepared to charge them.  Bethica raised her hand and called out, “We are not here to fight.  I am the leader of Suevi Tribe and want to talk to Timur.  The Teuton cavalry rode closer and surrounded the six Suevi.  The leader looked at Bethica and scornfully said, “A woman leads them?  Follow me.”

He led them through a military camp bustling with activity.  Most stopped their work to look at the new arrivals.  More than one shouted out some ribald comment directed at Bethica, which she bore in silence.  Eventually, they arrived at a large leather tent set up on a slight rise overlooking the river.  Bethica knew the area well.  She remained mounted while a man went inside to tell Timur.  Moments later, he stepped out of the tent, stopped and stared at the group of riders.  Then he recognized Bethica from their brief encounter 10 months earlier.  He smiled at her as he walked towards her.  She dismounted.  As he drew near, she said to him, “You have chosen your tent site well.  This is where I often put my tent.”  He smiled again.

“Tell your men to dismount and you follow me.”

She followed him with Davenhardt on her heels.  Timur looked hard at Davenhardt and Bethica quickly said, “My advisor.”  Timur nodded.  Mugs were offered and everyone sat down.  Timur was in a good mood and asked Bethica where she had come from and why. He also asked how she managed to evade 40,000 of his men.  “Luck,” she replied.  He laughed out loud at that.  She continued, “I have just come 180 miles (289.6km) from Innsbruck, but I understand that 180 miles is nothing compared to the distance your people just travelled in your migration from Jutland.”  Now, Timur was definitely intrigued and asked how she knew that.