Kilic Arslan received many appeals from the people of Nicaea as the crusaders advanced, but was slow to respond; the citizens thus called on Manuel Boutoumites, so as to surrender to Alexios rather than be sacked by the crusaders. Manuel sent them many letters detailing promises made by Alexios if they surrendered to him. Thus when Kilic Arslan was slow to arrive, Manuel was invited to Nicaea to give assurances in person. However they expelled him after only two days, because they heard news that the sultan was due to arrive with a relief force. The sultan had sent two men to examine the position outside Nicaea, and to encourage the defenders inside with news of his attack the next day. Both were intercepted, one being killed. The other was interrogated by a group including Godfrey and Bohemond, who discovered the secret of the planned attack, and were able to warn Raymond and Adhemar to hasten their arrival. The informant was spared because he expressed a wish to convert to Christianity. He was honoured and rewarded when his predicted time for the enemy attack turned out to be accurate. After the battle he escaped to Nicaea