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You could have been killed and your people would then have been leaderless.”
    Timur was stunned by Donar’s honest and bold comments, but not surprised.  He knew Donar had spoken the truth.  He said, “Thank you Donar, you are an honest man and I respect you for it.”
    Upon his returned to camp, Timur assembled the Council to report on his trip.  “The Semnones reluctantly agreed to let us pass,” he stated, “but we must improve their roads and build bridges that can withstand summer floods.  I will leave that challenge to the Army.  I expect that elements of the Semnones’ Army will attack at least one of our four columns and it will probably be the vulnerable eastern one.  To counter this expected attack, the Army will deploy a minimal number of soldiers, if any, to the two center columns.  Just enough troops to help with the wagons and improve the roads and bridges.  The bulk of the Army will travel with the eastern column and the remainder with the western.  After you Commanders have had time to work the numbers, report your findings to me.”
    “Clan Leaders, tell the people to circle the wagons quickly at the first hint of trouble; that will be their best defense.  The cavalry will screen around the column to provide early warning.  The terrain opens up as we travel south so there should be no problem forming circles.  This tactic will help the Army to concentrate their forces more quickly.  Archers will be critical in blunting an attack.  Most of them will be positioned with the eastern column.  Tell the people to feed the archers and Army that’s moving with them.  The columns will move in two days.  Prepare the people.”
    When Jennike found out that Timur had offered single combat with the Semnones’ Chief, she was proud of her husband.  He was fearless and she felt secure.  The people were in good hands.  She was also furious with Timur for putting his life and the future of their children in jeopardy.  No matter what Timur said, her anger overcame the pride she felt in him.  She held up her new baby girl and said, “Do you want her to grow up without a father?”
    Timur had learned long ago not to argue with his Cimbri wife.  She was usually right on most matters, especially this one, but sometimes they just had a different perspective on life.  His perspective was that of a leader of his people and Army.  Her perspective was that of a wife and mother.  There were different priorities inherent in their roles.  She loved him and he loved her and both recognized that the other had to follow their own imperative.  That night as he held her close to him, it was all forgotten for a little bit of time.
    The next day, Donar and the Army Commanders sat down with Timur to explain their strategy.  Donar did the talking: “We have 80,000 infantry, 5,000 archers and 500 horsemen.  We propose sending 50,000 infantry, 3,000 archers and 250 horses to the eastern and most vulnerable column.  We suspect that the Semnones’ attack would strike at the rear of this column with 20,000 to 30,000 warriors.  Therefore, I will lead the bulk of the Army and will travel with the last quarter of the column.  The horsemen will screen the entire column, but focus their strength on the end of the column.  If we get early enough warning from the horsemen of an approaching Semnones’ Army, I can rapidly concentrate our forces at the point of the attack.”
    “The remaining 30,000 infantry and 2,000 archers will travel with the western most column.  Until this threat is over, we cannot spare soldiers to help the wagons in the two center columns.  The people will have to help each other and fix the roads themselves.  We expect that the attack on our western column will be a diversion to draw away our forces from the main attack in the east.”
    Timur was not pleased with the fate of the center two columns, but saw the wisdom in the recommendation.  He approved it and forces began to relocate.