Tughrul Beg sent an ambassador with greetings to Konstantinos IX to renew their friendship, but claimed that the Turks still raiding the empire were wild wolves unknown to him. He sent to Konstantinos IX as ambassador the man whom they called "seriph". Konstantinos rejected the seriph's demand for tribute to be paid to the sultan, and sent him away. The sultan at once declared war: Konstantinos fortified as far as possible his lands bordering Turkish territory