The Germans faced three possible routes from Nicaea to Antioch: the short, dangerous road via Ikonion, the long, tortuous coast road, and a compromise route, later followed by Louis VII. The Germans divided: the warlike majority went with Conrad on the Ikonion road, while the baggage train was led around the coast by his brother Otto, bishop of Freising. Odo of Deuil lays the blame on the guide provided by Manuel I (Stephanos the akolouthos?) [it is noteworthy that texts more dependent on Conrad himself do not accuse the Byzantines]. The guide told the Germans to equip themselves at Nicaea with provisions for eight days, when more food was needed, so that they became hungry, and then were led further astray. Having deliberately lost the Germans in the mountains, it was alleged, and exhausted them by hunger, the guide left the army in the night and called large Turkish forces. In the morning the Germans could not find him, but saw that surrounding peaks were occupied by Turks. After this betrayal, Conrad and his council had to choose between two bad alternatives, to go forward or retreat. To advance seemed to mean certain death, to retreat gave hope of safety with some dishonour, and they reluctantly chose the second, hard-pressed by hunger. Only the men of Bernard, count of Plotzkau, had weapons and strength to protect the German army and allow an orderly retreat; but people wasted energy and time in looking for food, and the Turks became bolder. One evening the army crossed a mountain while Bernard was still helping the weak on the other side; thus isolated, he was surrounded and killed. After this, the Germans were much more exposed to Turkish attacks, and no point in the army was safe from their arrows; Conrad himself was twice wounded, and losses were very heavy, before they reached Nicaea