Read Online Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube by Thomas A. Timmes - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Thomas A. Timmes
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called for help took charge. He shouted for men to hold the oxen and the front two wheels steady so the wagon wouldn’t slide forward, while everyone else lifted the rear of the wagon. Within minutes, Gloggr was pulled out. The mud itself had almost killed him, but had also saved his life by cushioning his body.
As he was dragged to the side of the road, the men got to work replacing the broken axle. In no time, the work was completed and Gloggr’s pain wracked body was gently lifted into the wagon. A man volunteered to drive the oxen to allow his wife to care for her stricken husband. Because of the mud, none of his ribs were broken and the crack to his sternum was minor, but painful. It would still take three months of rest and no work for him to fully recover.
Men and women in the column took turns doing his work. They fed the oxen, maintained the wagon, gathered fodder, helped with the meals, and drove the wagon. The entire time, Gloggr lie in the back of the wagon and rarely spoke.
Even before the migration began, he was known as a grumpy, sour, and extremely unfriendly individual. His wife and children also looked unhappy and never socialized with their neighbors. He did his work and minded his own business. A friendly greeting or smile was never returned. People learned to ignore him, but felt sorry for his family.
By September, Gloggr was pretty much healed and able to resume his responsibilities. For the last three months, men and women had given freely of their time and energy to help the Gloggr family. Those same people stopped by to inquire as to his health, but, in truth, mostly sought to be thanked for their extraordinary sacrifices. One by one, they walked away not only disappointed, but also angry. Gloggr never uttered a word of thanks and pretty much told his would be visitors to mind their own business and to leave him and his family alone. The outrage among the volunteers was palpable.
The uproar over Gloggr’s behavior caused such a disturbance in the camp that it was eventually brought to Timur’s attention. Abusive behavior on the part of husbands was not unheard of among the migrants, but the outrageous lack of gratitude on Gloggr’s part could not be tolerated. Before considering any action, Timur wisely talked to Jennike. She suggested that she meet with Gloggr’s wife before Timur confronted Gloggr.
Gloggr’s wife was used to evasion and lying to avoid beatings from Gloggr, but she feared lying to Jennike, the Chief’s wife. The story Jennike heard was appalling. Gloggr’s wife said, “My husband beats me and the children, and he may have killed a young runaway girl who had joined the convoy.”
“Go on,” said Jennike.
She told Jennike that Gloggr had taken the 13 year old off into the woods to gather firewood, but only he returned. She said, “I don’t know for sure, but I think he might have killed her. He’s been acting strange and he won’t talk about that girl. Even the man in the wagon behind ours asked me, “Where’s the young girl?” I wouldn’t be surprised if he raped her and then killed her.”
That afternoon, Timur, the Tribal and Clan Leader, and Jennike met to discuss what to do. Jennike asked to be allowed to talk to Gloggr before taking any action. Gloggr was summoned. Jennike met with Gloggr in a room off the main meeting hall. He was searched for weapons by Jennike’s guards before they sat facing each other across a small rectangular table. Two guards stood immediately behind Gloggr and two stood next to Jennike. Under Jennike’s skillful prodding, Gloggr completely broke down. She learned of his abusive childhood and the behavior of his father towards his wife and his daughters. Gloggr was simply imitating what he had seen as a child. When asked about the 13 year old girl, he adamantly denied any involvement in her disappearance. He maintained she ran away.
Word quickly spread
As he was dragged to the side of the road, the men got to work replacing the broken axle. In no time, the work was completed and Gloggr’s pain wracked body was gently lifted into the wagon. A man volunteered to drive the oxen to allow his wife to care for her stricken husband. Because of the mud, none of his ribs were broken and the crack to his sternum was minor, but painful. It would still take three months of rest and no work for him to fully recover.
Men and women in the column took turns doing his work. They fed the oxen, maintained the wagon, gathered fodder, helped with the meals, and drove the wagon. The entire time, Gloggr lie in the back of the wagon and rarely spoke.
Even before the migration began, he was known as a grumpy, sour, and extremely unfriendly individual. His wife and children also looked unhappy and never socialized with their neighbors. He did his work and minded his own business. A friendly greeting or smile was never returned. People learned to ignore him, but felt sorry for his family.
By September, Gloggr was pretty much healed and able to resume his responsibilities. For the last three months, men and women had given freely of their time and energy to help the Gloggr family. Those same people stopped by to inquire as to his health, but, in truth, mostly sought to be thanked for their extraordinary sacrifices. One by one, they walked away not only disappointed, but also angry. Gloggr never uttered a word of thanks and pretty much told his would be visitors to mind their own business and to leave him and his family alone. The outrage among the volunteers was palpable.
The uproar over Gloggr’s behavior caused such a disturbance in the camp that it was eventually brought to Timur’s attention. Abusive behavior on the part of husbands was not unheard of among the migrants, but the outrageous lack of gratitude on Gloggr’s part could not be tolerated. Before considering any action, Timur wisely talked to Jennike. She suggested that she meet with Gloggr’s wife before Timur confronted Gloggr.
Gloggr’s wife was used to evasion and lying to avoid beatings from Gloggr, but she feared lying to Jennike, the Chief’s wife. The story Jennike heard was appalling. Gloggr’s wife said, “My husband beats me and the children, and he may have killed a young runaway girl who had joined the convoy.”
“Go on,” said Jennike.
She told Jennike that Gloggr had taken the 13 year old off into the woods to gather firewood, but only he returned. She said, “I don’t know for sure, but I think he might have killed her. He’s been acting strange and he won’t talk about that girl. Even the man in the wagon behind ours asked me, “Where’s the young girl?” I wouldn’t be surprised if he raped her and then killed her.”
That afternoon, Timur, the Tribal and Clan Leader, and Jennike met to discuss what to do. Jennike asked to be allowed to talk to Gloggr before taking any action. Gloggr was summoned. Jennike met with Gloggr in a room off the main meeting hall. He was searched for weapons by Jennike’s guards before they sat facing each other across a small rectangular table. Two guards stood immediately behind Gloggr and two stood next to Jennike. Under Jennike’s skillful prodding, Gloggr completely broke down. She learned of his abusive childhood and the behavior of his father towards his wife and his daughters. Gloggr was simply imitating what he had seen as a child. When asked about the 13 year old girl, he adamantly denied any involvement in her disappearance. He maintained she ran away.
Word quickly spread
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