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[Arminius came into contact with his aunts, Rannvig and Nilda, when Varus' legions crossed the Rhine in 7 ce. After carefully sounding out both women, the young chieftain discovered that they, like he, were never fully "Romanized," and shared his goals for a free Germania. The price would be high -- the man they knew as Pater would have to die along with the other senior officers, but Arminius promised that Gaius Decius would be put to death swiftly and spared any suffering. With that assurance, Rannvig and Nilda agreed to help prevent escape of Roman stragglers who might make it out of the woods.
Setting up a Roman style camp and luring the desperate men with food, rest, and care for wounds, the two Cherusker women set out on their part of the slaughter. The following messages, sent in code by means of trusted German messengers, show the level of cooperation and communication between Arminius and his aunts.
The translation process has been complicated by the types of codes used by Arminius. He used a Caesar cypher with the 7th letter E to replace A and so on. In addition, each message was written on linen strips wound around a 1.5 inch rod, one held by Arminius and one kept by his aunts. Further complicating the translation is that the language is a mixture of Latin and a Latinate spelling of the Cherusker dialect. Because of this, reinterpretations of the messages are frequent, and require constant updates.]
[from Arminius to his aunts]
I am honored that you have left behind your Roman names and returned to the names given you by your Cherusker parents. You could never truly be Drusilla and Antonia. Now let your warrior hearts take their revenge on those who stole you from your homeland and your birthright.
[Rannvig to Arminius]
Are we safe, nephew? I fear the Romans may take us for Cherusker and the tribes may take us for Roman. If it is true that the Chatti, Marsi, Chauci, and Bructeri have joined you, how will they know that we are kin to you and serving the cause of a free Germania?
[from Arminius]
You need not fear attack. All my warriors have been instructed to protect you. To further ensure your safety, I send four of my most trusted warriors and two leaf symbols for you to wear. All true Germans will recognize the mark of my protection. Can you handle the Romans who may come your way? None must slip the net.
[Rannvig to Arminius]
Our camp is at the edge of the forest, in all appearance invitingly Roman. We encourage stragglers to come this way, and will do as you bid, but Nilda has some hesitation to use her skills in this way.
[Arminius to Nilda]
I understand your reluctance, but they will get no mercy at the hands of my warriors. Those who die in your care are indeed the fortunate ones. Use poison if you can find it nearby. Do not think you must use your pugio. {a Roman dagger}
[Rannvig to Arminius]
We have found a patch of suitable fungi near the camp. Some make palatable eating. Those that can not be eaten, Nilda will make into poultices for wounds. The effect will be the same. The poison will not take effect until the men are well away from us.
[Nilda to Arminius]
We have no news of Pater. Can you say for certainty if he has gone to Mater and the gods, and that done without suffering?
[Arminius to Nilda]
I took Gaius Decius' life myself. As I ordered, he was not harmed and died by a single stroke. Be assured that he rests with his beloved and they in the care of their gods.
[Rannvig to Arminius]
Thank you for Pater's deliverance. We served two soldiers last night. One was wounded and not likely to survive. Nilda's poultice will end his life far more quickly. The other man was in good health, but the dish of mushrooms will have their effect in a few days. I regret the young man will suffer great pain, but we are spared the sight of it.
[from Arminius]
Poison is more merciful than torture. Even I am surprised by the extremes to which my warriors have gone, but Varus awakened a blood lust that is hard to slake. The senior officers have endured the worst tortures imaginable and to their credit I have heard no pleas for mercy. Only slaves, women and the very young have begged and to the best of my ability I have killed them quickly.
[Nilda to Arminius]
Do you not fear Rome's anger when word reaches them of this slaughter, however justified by Varus' behavior?
[from Arminius]
I estimate that we have decimated Rome's forces and all that lies between Germania and Gaul. Perhaps they will come against us, but not soon. We have struck a major blow and Rome will take time to recover.
[Rannvig to Arminius]
Watch your back, dear nephew. Your wife's father will betray you. He did before, but that fool Varus did not believe him. You will not have such luck again, I fear.
[from Arminius]
I have sent Varus' head to Marbod [to the Romans, "Maroboduus"], telling him of our mighty victory. Perhaps now the Marcomanni will join his Germanic brothers in cutting the Roman yoke.
[At this point the messages become longer, more like dispatches or letters. The translators have concluded that this change in communication must be because there was little chance of the messages being intercepted by Roman sources. Although still using the cypher, the longer letters contain the communications concerning the traveling adventures of Varus' head.]
[Rannvig to Arminius]
The guards have captured a Marcomanni youth on his way from Marbod to Rome, bearing with him the head of Varus. Segimund says he should be put to death, but this boy is Marbod's nephew, not above eighteen summers. I believe that since you want his uncle as ally, it would be better to let the boy go on to Rome with his prize.
Segimund thought the boy was hiding information, and had him severely beaten. We could not prevent it, but have prevailed on them to take no further vengeance until we have received direct orders from you. I do not believe the boy knows anything more than he has already told us. He has been searched, but seems to know nothing more than to deliver the head along with the news of the slaughter.
[Segimund to Arminius, sent with Rannvig's letter]
Your aunts keep the boy bound and gagged in their tent and will not let us question him further. They seem to have great control over the boy, dispensing salve for his raw shoulders only if he cooperates. This Marcomanni is a traitor to his people and deserves to die as terribly as any Roman. May I kill him and end this?
[from Arminius to Segimund]
Rannvig has made a valid point that we should not kill the kinsman of a potential ally. Let the Marcomanni go on his way to Rome. It is time for Augustus to know what has happened to his legions and to know fear. Give the boy one of the leaf pendants to ensure his safety and tell him he is freed by word of Arminius. I have enclosed a letter to be delivered to Augustus, delivering MY message. If you are concerned that life is this traitor's reward, remember that Augustus could chose to kill the messenger -- greatly to our advantage.
[Arminius to his aunts]
I have ordered the messenger's release and safe passage. As for any other such youths that strike your fancy, take them as slaves, if you wish. It is time for you to plan your leaving. If you require an escort, you have but to ask.
[Rannvig to Arminius]
Nilda's husband will come for us and we will return to his village in the northeast. From there I would appreciate an escort to take me to the Alps where my husband awaits me.
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