Baldwin II and his colleagues were being held at Harran by Balak of Khanzit. On the latter's death, he was (as it were) inherited by Timurtash, lord of Mardin, who was anxious to ransom him. He was taken to Shayzar while mediation took place and the ransom price was established, and was treated well there by the ruler, 'Izz al-Din Abu l-'Asakir Sultan, Usama'a uncle, and Usama's father Majd al-Din Abu Salama Murshid. He would always acknowledge an obligation to the ruling family of Shayzar, and treated them well in return