Alexios I for a time held firm against the reinforced Pechenegs, with a sword in one hand and the pallium of the Theotokos in the other. He maintained the centre of the Roman line with twenty cavalrymen including Nikephoros Diogenes, the protostrator Michael Doukas and family servants. He avoided death when three Pechenegs leapt on him and his horse. Michael Doukas the protostrator told him to escape as the army was defeated, but Alexios at first refused, preferring a noble death to flight. Michael reminded him of his responsibilities as emperor. Alexios decided to escape, but not with the rest of the army. With a small group he cut his way through the enemy line to reach safer ground behind them. Michael the protostrator fell when his horse slipped, but a retainer gave him another, and he rode close to the emperor. They had to turn and kill several pursuers, and the emperor saved Nikephoros Diogenes by warning him of an approaching attacker. Alexios was hit by a lance on the buttock, a blow which later caused trouble. Before reaching Goloe he hid the pallium of the Theotokos in a bush. From Goloe he withdrew to Beroe, where he stayed to ransom prisoners. He would later recount his deeds in this battle to his family around the fireside, but never boasted of them