emperor." They replied, "We do nothing by our own deliberation. We
are soldiers who earn money by carrying out the orders of the emperor;
whatever he tells us to do we do." When the splendid man heard this,
he let them go, without punishment and without ransom. This battle
took place on the fourth day of the week, which among Christians is
called the beginning of the fast[119]

The emperor Alexis, when he heard of Bohemund's exemplary action,
then sent for the councilor upon whom he most relied, and told him to
lead the magnanimous duke, together with his army, through his own
land, and into his own presence at Constantinople. While the army
was passing through all the towns and cities of the empire, an
imperial edict commanded all the inhabitants of these regions to see
to it that Bohemund and his men had a supply of everything that could
be bought. However, although the army was allowed to proceed through
the provinces, none of Bohemund's men were permitted to enter the
walls of any city. The knights were about to invade a certain fort
that seemed abundant with supplies, but the illustrious man forbade
it, partly out of respect for the laws of the land, partly to avoid
offending the emperor, or rather, he did not want to break the pact
he had just made with him through intermediaries. Angry at their
foolish attempt, and particularly at Tancred, he forbade them to go
on. This happened in the evening. The next morning the inhabitants
of the fort came out, bearing the banners of the Cross before them,
demonstrating their humility and religious belief to Bohemund. He
greeted them affably and courteously, thanked them, and sent the
contented people back to the town. Then they reached a city called
Serra, where they pitched their tents, and successfully traded in the
marketplace. Here Bohemund was reconciled with his two courtly
prefects. In keeping with the recent treaty and with the law of the