Free Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube by Thomas A. Timmes Page B

day.  But before he could turn east, he was met by 50,000 warriors drawn up in battle array on a large open field.  Unbeknown to Timur, he had been observed for some time.  Timur and Donar rode out to talk to their Commanders.  When they were about 400 yards (365.7m) from the array of troops, a contingent of 20 horsemen emerged and rode towards them.  He could see the cavalry’s lances and pulled up.  He said to Donar, “They are attacking us!”  But before he could turn his horse around, the group stopped and only two individuals continued towards them.
    Timur nudged his horse forward until only 20 feet (6m) separated the two groups.  He noticed one was an armed woman and the other a wild looking man who seemed angry and arrogant.  He said to them, “I am Timur, Chief of the Cimbri/Teuton Tribes.  We mean you no harm; why are you arrayed for battle?”
    The man spoke harshly, “I am the Commander of the Insubres.  Turn around and go back from where you came.”  His language, while different from Timur’s was intelligible.  Timur easily understood Bethica when she spoke, “I am Bethica leader of the Suevi Tribe.  Why are you here; where are you going?”
    Timur knew he could not tell her the real reason.  “We live in the Marcomanni territory along the Main River,” he said.  “I am here with my small Army to explore the territory to find and establish new trading partners.  We have an abundance of fish, wild game, and more crops than we can use.  We are no threat to you and have peaceful intentions.  If you do not want to trade with us, we will leave.”
    Bethica looked at him and said, “I find that hard to believe.  Maybe you are planning to relocate your people to our area.”  She was trying to provoke a response from Timur.
    Timur did not take the bait.  He said, “My people are happy where they are.  We will not come this way again unless you invite us.  We came in peace and will leave in peace.”
    As Timur turned his horse, Bethica called out, “I think we will meet again Timur, Chief of the Cimbri/Teuton Tribes, but under less favorable circumstances.”  Timur could not help but smile at her.  He knew she had seen threw his lies.
    As Donar and Timur rode back to their men, Donar said, “This route to get on the other side of the Danube is now blocked; we will drop it from any future planning.”
    As Timur and the 10,000 returned to the settlement, he did appreciate that this 20 day walk in full battle gear was good training for the troops, so it was not a waste of time.  Timur told the Marcomanni Chief what had happened at Karlsruhe.  He was angry at the Suevi and Insubres, but took no further action.
    Timur’s planners suggested the Tribes move from their present location southeast to Nuremburg, about 50 miles (80.4km) distance, and then continue to Regensburg, another 60 miles (96.5km) away.  The planners noted that since this part of Germany was more heavily populated, the roads were better and sturdy bridges spanned the creeks and streams.  The total distance required to travel was only about 100 miles (160.9km) with no major rivers to slow them down.  The planners estimated that the columns could make 10 miles (16km) per day and close in on their new winter location by late May, if they departed by 1 April.  That time schedule would give the people the entire months of February and March to prepare to move.
    Timur liked the idea.  He decided to travel the route to Regensburg and select an appropriate area for the people to spend the winter.  To help him, he invited all the Clan Leaders to accompany him and participate in selecting the exact location to winter over.  It would then be their job to convince the people that they would be moving to a good location.
    Timur and the Clan Leaders reconnoitered the route to Nuremberg and Regensburg.  As expected, the roads were better and the bridges would support heavy wagons.  Timur wanted to keep the presence of the