While Alexios was away gathering troops, Bohemond took the opportunity to send a contingent of armoured knights who succeeded in taking Pelagonia, Trikala and Kastoria. He and his main army reached Trikala, whilst a detachment succeeded in taking Tzibiskos; from Trikala he went to besiege Larissa, which was successfully defended by Leon Kephalas for six whole months. Alexios was still gathering mercenaries, and so could not intervene immediately