Romanos IV summoned a council and a priest read from the Gospels. Romanos talked about the war in unusual terms using harsh words, stressing the Christian sacrifice of their struggle, using John 15.20-16.2, and impressing some of those present (including the historian Michael Attaleiates) with the likelihood of a negative outcome. He then sent Nikephoros Basilakes to reinforce Nikephoros Bryennios